Sell a Home
Dear Listing Agent: Yes, I’m Serious. Are You?
“Is your buyer serious?” was the question I got from a listing agent this weekend when I called to schedule a showing. After waiting six hours for a return call, it was all I could do not to snap back “Nope, we’re not the least bit serious. I’m wasting my time and I want to… [Continue Reading]
Is Your Home Seductive? – Check Your Photos
Is your home alluring, compelling, even seductive? It better be in this competitive market, because these days it’s a price war and a beauty contest when your home is listed for sale. Everyone knows that 90% of all buyers start their home search on the internet and everyone should agree that lots of great photos… [Continue Reading]
Are Open Houses a Good Idea?
Real estate agents have a wide range of opinions about Open Houses. Some think of them as a shady tactic to snap up unsuspecting home buyers, while others claim they couldn’t run their business without holding Open Houses for their listings. In some markets, subdivisions and neighborhoods, Open Houses are a respectable way to promote… [Continue Reading]
Is Pulling Your Home Off the Market a Good Idea?
“We think maybe we should pull the house off the market and wait until next year…”. Showings and new contracts have dropped off. In my communities of St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia in Chicago’s western suburbs the buyer activity has definitely slowed down. Some sellers think that they’ll make more money in the Spring. So is pulling the listing off the market… [Continue Reading]
Thinking of Renting Your St. Charles House That Hasn’t Sold?
Thinking of Renting Out a House That Hasn’t Sold This Year? Consider This Advice Some homeowners in St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia IL are wondering if they should rent out a house that they can’t sell in this market, especially if they have already moved and the home is sitting vacant. We have very little… [Continue Reading]
1427 Oxford St, Carol Stream Closed Over List Price
This nice 4 bedroom town home at 1427 Oxford St, Carol Stream has just closed over list price. We listed the property for $135,000 on June 30, received multiple offers, and got a contract by July 8. We closed August 19 for $139,000. The homeowner did all the small repairs, polishing and improvements we asked them to before… [Continue Reading]
Price, Condition, Staging: You Need it All to Sell Today!
Genevieve, Sabrina, Vern, and Antonio are attractive hosts on TV home shows who transform the dowdiest of homes into seductive abodes…in less than an hour and for only a few bucks. In this difficult market of too many listings chasing too few buyers, some homeowners are jumping on the staging bandwagon and oh so hopefully… [Continue Reading]
What Do Buyers Want?
Most folks used to be content with a nice slice of yellow cake on a special occasion. Now people want elaborately flavored and decorated cupcakes every day of the week. Some home buyers act the same way. Instead of a reasonable home at a reasonable price in a nice area of St Charles, Geneva, Batavia… [Continue Reading]
Buyers Do Not Want Your Home
If you are thinking of selling your home you are probably thinking about the question “what do home buyers want?” I think you should first consider what buyers don’t want: basically, buyers do not want to buy your home. Buyers do want to buy a house that will become their home. If you are thinking… [Continue Reading]
Home Inspection: 2nd Chance to Squeeze the Seller?
You’ve just made an offer on a home that the seller has accepted! The next step is to have a professional home inspection that will (a) give you the chance to squeeze more money out of the seller (b) help you figure out what remodeling the kitchen will cost (c) serve as a delay tactic… [Continue Reading]
