Chatter

By Jennifer Wilson

July 29, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

I’m not currently trying to sell my house but if you take my neighbor’s approach, in addition to trying and sell your own house you should buy an adjacent crack house.

By JCR

July 29, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this

Keep your house spotless. Price according to market. You must be competitve right up front.

By Lisa

July 29, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

A local lender has a FREE for sale by owner website with great marketing ideas and free downloads for individuals selling their homes - www.myfsboschool.com username: fsbo password: gateway

By John

July 29, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

Mine just went on the market. It’s in a popular part of town, but I have priced it extremely competively. It’s a 3/2 and I’m pricing it below most of the 3/1 houses. It’s got all the desirable features, i.e., upgraded kitchen (with stone counters, stainless steel stuff, and a new gas range) plus updated baths, brand new HVAC, and pre-inspected. I’ve already moved out but I just had it professionally staged. I’m also prepared to pay most or all of the closing costs. How can I do this? I bought the house 15 years ago for one fourth of it’s present value and it’s completely paid off…and I’m not greedy. I don’t know what else I can do to sell it.

By Ralph

July 29, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this

One of the glass monstrosities(I mean condos) in Midtown offered a new car with each purchase. I wonder how many suckers(I mean buyers) the hooked with that gimmick.

By Lisa

July 29, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

John, I am looking for a good/reasonable stager. Can you recommend someone?

By The Truth

July 29, 2008 1:30 PM | Link to this

We had it to good for to long. Prices will drop for the next 12-18 months, then start to recover. We built way to many homes, lending was way to easy. Back to 20% down, verified income and assets, 30 year fixed rates. A home is not a quick flip asset, its a place to live and grow. With the limited financing available in the coming years, people wont be moving as much.

By Angela

July 29, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

We just sold our house in Richmond, VA. One of the tactics that worked for us was to offer to pay their mortgage for six months, or $12,000 which ever was less. It definitely generated interest in the house.

By check this

July 29, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Have a $500 raffle. Make sure you have enough players to cover the loan. Other than that-how about tickets to the theater or movies?

By AfraidOfYourOwnShadow

July 29, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

The gimmicks rarely work. Sellers tend to want to build the cost of the “incentive” into the price, and thus the result is an overpriced house - The Kiss of Death in the current market.

IF YOU MUST SELL NOW, YOU MUST PRICE COMPETITIVELY WITH THE MARKET. Otherwise, prepare for a frustrating experience.

Conversely, Buyers perceive that the incentive is somehow built into the sales price and it makes them suspicious. Very often these perks are negotiated away during the Offer process anyway.

By Fred

July 29, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

John- Where is your house located & what is the asking price? I could be interested.

By Fred

July 29, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

John- Where is your house located & what is the asking price? I could be interested.

By ash

July 29, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

This is good news. I am in the market to buy a home, I have good credit and a down payment ready to go. The only question is if prices are going to fall more or not.

By John

July 29, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Lisa,

I used Georgia Interior Solutions. I didn’t really check that many staging companies…but I do like what they have done, and their fees seem in line with others.

By bonbon

July 29, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

May I suggest “buy one get one free”?!?! Now I could go for that!!

By TR

July 29, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Last year I sold my condo in Midtown.There were MANY others for sale in the area. I priced it right up front. My agent advertised it on line and in print. Also, I did not beat up the agent on her commission.The agent has to make money too. Furthermore, I agreed to pay a percentage of closing cost upfront. I kept it clean, the temperature cool, and ready for show at anytime. It was the combination of these that got me a buyer in less than 30 days. Everyone walked away happy.

By Rich

July 29, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

A guy is already doing buy one get one free. It was on the news. It’s still a gimmick. Only dumb people fall for it. Go buy a used car.

By Mike In Woodstock

July 29, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

I really hope that I don’t have to move in the next 5 years.

By The Man

July 29, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

When you buy a home you may want to give some thought that you’ll probably be selling the home at some point. We refused to buy into a neighborhood that was made up of one banal cookie cutter home after another. Instead we went for a smaller intown house in a great old mid-century contemporary neighborhood where the average lots are at least a half acre. You can’t find two houses side by side theat look alike. We only have a handful of homes for sale at any given time and the only house within a block from us sold after being on the market for less than two weeks. Buy something that will resale, you may not find another sucker like the previosu homeowner did when you came along.

By Stewie

July 29, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this

I’m not a realtor or connected to any real estate brokers but I know that “Buy Owner” does not work…unless you are willing to spend all your time marketing your house. The guy next to me has been trying to sell his house “Buy Owner” for almost a year. Even if you offer 3% commission to Realtors, they still won’t show it.

By joe

July 29, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this

Three words…AUCTION, AUCTION, AUCTION. In times as tough as these, you MUST think outside of the box and so something your competition is not doing. I know of an auction company that puts your home in a pool with others and together sells them at auction to a live and online audience of QUALIFIED buyers. Plus, real estate agenst STILL get their commissions, so it is a win-win-win for everyone. For more information, you can call 770 242-2222.