House not selling - looking for suggestions.

[travelover]

So, I've had my house on the market for 45 days with only three showings. I reduced the price 5% and got 2 more showings right away, but no real interest and no additional showings.

Background - the house is a 50 year old colonial in a neighborhood with beautiful 1+ acre lots in a desirable suburb with good schools. Of the 33 homes in the sub, six have been demolished for 5000+ sq ft McMansions. A run down 1950's ranch two doors down was just sold on a similar lot as a tear-down. They got 93% of what I am asking, but mine is a well cared for and ready to move in, larger house.

I think my problem is that a typical buyer either wants to either buy a tear down and build their dream house or is disappointed in the amount of bling my house has for the price. It is hard to find someone that would be happy with an OK house and a beautiful lot after spending that much cash. (this is the rust belt and a housing buck goes a long way).

I don't have to sell, but would like to do so before the next crash. My dilemma is whether to just keep dropping the price until it sells or wait until that rare interested party shows up.

How would you decide?

 

[Sarah in SC]

It sounds to me like you don't have an urgent need to sell. I would wait, if it were me.

My sister is selling a house in VT right now, her DH got a job offer/transfer so away they go. It is a nice big place in a great neighborhood, but she's sweaty about it selling as fast as possible. I think they'll wind up leaving money on the table to get it sold soonest, but I don't blame her with the difficulty of relo overall.

It sounds like a beautiful place, and one you wouldn't mind keeping for a while until the right buyer comes along.

 

[MichaelB]

I don't have to sell, but would like to do so before the next crash. My dilemma is whether to just keep dropping the price until it sells or wait until that rare interested party shows up.

How would you decide?

First, not to keep dropping the price. Second, your realtor must give you actionable feedback from the 5 showings. If there is none, she isn't doing her job.

Are other homes in the area selling? Look closely at the comps, confirm whether the home is priced competitively, if so, then sit tight.

 

[RockyMtn]

what's the average days on the market in your area? 45 days is not a long time. Is it priced right compared to com parables for sale or recently sold in the neighborhood?

And finally, did you bury a St. Joseph in the front yard?

http://www.wikihow.com/Bury-St.-Joseph

 

[Tadpole]

I hate to say it but my house sold in MD during the crash when I got the best agent in town to move it. It was supper well kept with new everything that was worn out. I got better than the going sq ft rate in my area. If you know you have an agent that is really good, especially with working with buyer's agents, keep him/her. Otherwise I agree with MichaelB. We had been trying for three or four months to sell this house with nothing but looky-loo showings. It sold two weeks after we hired this agent.

 

[travelover]

First, not to keep dropping the price. Second, your realtor must give you actionable feedback from the 5 showings. If there is none, she isn't doing her job.

The feedback is generally that they can buy a nicer home for less. I think "nicer for less" means without the property. Not sure what additional actions to take - with the internet it is hard to publicize it more.

Are other homes in the area selling? Look closely at the comps, confirm whether the home is priced competitively, if so, then sit tight.

Yes, it is a good local market, but true comps are hard to come by due to the lot. A similar home on a similar lot sold nearby for less than the tear-down on my street. The owners had gotten old there and it needed work and I suspect the heirs just wanted it liquidated.

I appreciate the advice.

 

[travelover]

I hate to say it but my house sold in MD during the crash when I got the best agent in town to move it. It was supper well kept with new everything that was worn out. I got better than the going sq ft rate in my area. If you know you have an agent that is really good, especially with working with buyer's agents, keep him/her. Otherwise I agree with MichaelB. We had been trying for three or four months to sell this house with nothing but looky-loo showings. It sold two weeks after we hired this agent.

Jealous. This agent is a human dynamo and is a top rated seller in my area.

 

[mrcanslim]

If you're not getting the action you want, I think you need to take a hard and objective look at the pricing. Your house sounds lovely, but if I read between the lines, your sense of prospects not appreciating the added value of the premium lot sounds like it may be keeping you from adjusting the pricing to the market. Consider having your realtor hold an open house for other agents and get the "wisdom of the crowd" by having all agents leave anonymous pricing feedback. A house on the market too long can look like a problem house after a while. With all this said, if the pricing that would get the house sold is not in line with your financial plans, you have the option of delaying the sale. Best of luck. I know it can be a frustrating experience. PS: Bury the St. Joseph statue upside down for added luck.

 

[ivinsfan]

I'm curious if you did any updating before listing,you are kind of in a bind because updating might now might not be wise.

If you know where you want to relocate, keep an eye on what prices do there, if they keep rising and you are not rising, you might just bite the bullet and move on.

It's prime selling season in our area and between days on the market and summer moving right along, you might not get much action at all at your current pricing. Which will leave you still undecided for next year..

 

[samclem]

A house on the market too long can look like a problem house after a while.

Along with the other good advice offered by Mr canslim, I know that "newly listed" houses get a disproportionate amount of the action--buyers excited about maybe getting a good deal, or great property that won't last long, etc. And, if they mke an offer it may be closer to full price, since others my also be interested in this new listing (unlikely to be another simultaneous offer on a house listed for months). So, I'd guess that there's some advantage to taking your property off the market and listing it as a "new listing" after whatever the reset period is. Sure, the agents will recognize it, but a lot of buyers now surf the MLS without much agent assistance, so it'll at least get some additional consideration from them.
Good luck!

 

[jfn111]

The feedback is generally that they can buy a nicer home for less

It sounds like you're getting few showings and the ones that are looking are telling you it's over priced. You can fold your arms and convince yourself that the right buyer will come along carrying satchels of cash, and who knows maybe one will, or lower the price until it sells.

 

[travelover]

Along with the other good advice offered by Mr canslim, I know that "newly listed" houses get a disproportionate amount of the action--buyers excited about maybe getting a good deal, or great property that won't last long, etc. And, if they make an offer it may be closer to full price, since others my also be interested in this new listing (unlikely to be another simultaneous offer on a house listed for months). So, I'd guess that there's some advantage to taking your property off the market and listing it as a "new listing" after whatever the reset period is. Sure, the agents will recognize it, but a lot of buyers now surf the MLS without much agent assistance, so it'll at least get some additional consideration from them.
Good luck!

I agree. Not sure what my options are to take it off the market. I signed a 6 month listing with my agent, probably a mistake in retrospect. Did not anticipate it not selling fairly quick.

 

[travelover]

It sounds like you're getting few showings and the ones that are looking are telling you it's over priced. You can fold your arms and convince yourself that the right buyer will come along carrying satchels of cash, and who knows maybe one will, or lower the price until it sells.

Have not gotten overpriced comments since I dropped it 5%, but maybe the two last showees were just being nice. The lack of further showing would indicate it is still overpriced - or the potential buyer is a rare bird. I'd think that if one was interested they'd come back with an offer at the price they felt was fair - but then I'm not in the biz.

 

[W2R]

The feedback is generally that they can buy a nicer home for less.

Then I'd suggest lowering the price by an additional 5%-10%, if your realtor agrees. In my location you should be averaging a lot more showings than you have been getting.

Also, when talking this over with your realtor, you could discuss what else you can do. Up the curb appeal? Put excess things in storage? Maybe he/she has some ideas. Sometimes it is just a lousy market, and sometimes it's not. Maybe it would help to check out the "competition", or at least their online photos, and see what they are and are not doing.

 

[splitwdw]

Is it normal to drop the price after 45 days on the market? Did you price the house or did the realtor price the house? When you say there's not much bling, do you mean it's a 50 year old house without any updates?

 

[travelover]

Is it normal to drop the price after 45 days on the market? Did you price the house or did the realtor price the house? When you say there's not much bling, do you mean it's a 50 year old house without any updates?

I don't know what is normal - that is why I'm asking here. I priced the house $10K under the listing realtor's recommendation, initially. I interviewed three realtors before I listed it and their pricing recommendations were all about what I listed it at.

The house has an updated kitchen with granite, but for this same amount on a small lot you can get the two story entryway and the big master bath with a jetted tub and a more modern styling. That is what I meant by bling.

 

[travelover]

Then I'd suggest lowering the price by an additional 5%-10%, if your realtor agrees. In my location you should be averaging a lot more showings than you have been getting. ..........

If I lower it another 5%, it will be selling for about the same price as the tear-down down the block that closed in April. That seems inherently wrong to me. The tear-down was on the market for 5 months before it sold.

 

[calmloki]

Surprised no one has suggested the well proven method for a fast sale. Bury a figure of St. Anthony upside down in the front of the house.

When It Takes a Miracle To Sell Your House - WSJ

Sheesh.

 

[W2R]

My dilemma is whether to just keep dropping the price until it sells or wait until that rare interested party shows up.

How would you decide?

If I lower it another 5%, it will be selling for about the same price as the tear-down down the block that closed in April. That seems inherently wrong to me. The tear-down was on the market for 5 months before it sold.

How much were you thinking of dropping the price? 1%? That is an option, although honestly I wonder if that would be anywhere near enough to draw in several showings/day, for example, from your present situation of very few showings.

 

[travelover]

How much were you thinking of dropping the price? 1%? That is an option, although honestly I wonder if that would be anywhere near enough to draw in several showings/day, for example, from your present situation of very few showings.

Yea, I agree. Part of me says that dropping it another 5% might be the ticket and part of me says I'd be leaving money on the table, as this type of property takes a while to sell for full value.

That's why I'm picking the brains of you fine folks.

 

[W2R]

Yea, I agree. Part of me says that dropping it another 5% might be the ticket and part of me says I'd be leaving money on the table, as this type of property takes a while to sell for full value.

That's why I'm picking the brains of you fine folks.

Maybe talking all this over in the thread is helping you to make your decision. Sounds to me like you may not want to lower your price again after all, which is understandable.

 

[MichaelB]

Surprised no one has suggested the well proven method for a fast sale. Bury a figure of St. Anthony upside down in the front of the house.

When It Takes a Miracle To Sell Your House - WSJ

Sheesh.

Check out post 8 by mrcanslim

Yea, I agree. Part of me says that dropping it another 5% might be the ticket and part of me says I'd be leaving money on the table, as this type of property takes a while to sell for full value.

That's why I'm picking the brains of you fine folks.

Selling a house is way up there on the stress-o-meter. What's worse for you, leaving money on the table or not sleeping at night?

You have confidence in your realtor, so her advice is important. You might set a time period where you let her make the calls (say, 4 or 6 weeks ) and, if the result does not meet your expectations, you make the pricing decision.

One price cut with 45 days on the market is a lot, another might give prospective buyers the sense that you are too anxious to sell.

 

[RobbieB]

Have you tried the "warm homey" tricks?

Drop of vanilla on a light bulb, bread in the oven?

 

[athena53]

I agree. Not sure what my options are to take it off the market. I signed a 6 month listing with my agent, probably a mistake in retrospect. Did not anticipate it not selling fairly quick.

Check your contract but you may be able to take it off the market. Typically what you cannot do for 6 months is list it with another realtor or sell it privately and not pay your realtor a commission.

 

[travelover]

Maybe talking all this over in the thread is helping you to make your decision. Sounds to me like you may not want to lower your price again after all, which is understandable.

Yes, I respect the opinions of the regular posters here and it helps to bounce my thoughts off you. A 5% drop is 25K, so it is not a trifling amount, if not necessary.

.............
Selling a house is way up there on the stress-o-meter. What's worse for you, leaving money on the table or not sleeping at night?

I'm sleeping fine, but would rather not to have to do this all over again next spring if possible.

You have confidence in your realtor, so her advice is important. You might set a time period where you let her make the calls (say, 4 or 6 weeks ) and, if the result does not meet your expectations, you make the pricing decision.

That is a good suggestion. He (a guy) has not been forthcoming with recommendations on when to move on the price, though, as mentioned, he has an impressive record for moving real estate.

One price cut with 45 days on the market is a lot, another might give prospective buyers the sense that you are too anxious to sell.

Another good point.