About 2 months ago, I listed an expired listing which was on the market for awhile and listed for a much higher price which the market also rejected. I listed the home below the previous price, but still too high. So yes, you guessed it.
We had 2 showings in 2 months. Lots of open houses, marketing to buyer agents, 30+ websites and frustrated sellers ( and agent). Every week during this time, I informed my sellers weekly of sold homes and homes that were under agreement.
After exhausting all of my efforts, I approached the sellers with some real concrete market data and statistics, most of which was shared in our first meeting at the time of the listings, but the sellers needed to "try the high price. Sometimes market value news is tough to hear, tough for me to communicate to my sellers as well. Finally they reduced the price.
After one week, at the reduced price, we had 5 buyers preview and consider purchasing the property. All 5 buyers through their agents submitted an offer! I have to admit, I was absolutely shocked!. We now have one accepted offer and one back up offer.
The sellers of this home are very smart for reducing their price. Now they can move on with their lives, buy a home that suits them for a great price..
The buyers also won. They will likely gain equity if they stay in the home for 7 years or more.
I am so grateful to my company for providing the knowledge to help my sellers get what they needed.
I also have even more insight on how important it is urge my sellers to price just slightly below market value.
So many times, I see sellers make the mistake of pricing to high when they first list the home. Then they every other months they keep reducing the price down just a bit, but still over market value...chasing the market down. Eventually they sell for a really low price because they cannot keep up the pace of the declining market with the small price reductions.
My advice to sellers.. PLEASE..refrain "Neverland/Fantasy" pricing. If you want your high price, you might want to consider selling it in a different market.
If you owe more than what the home is worth, this a completely different blog. Speak to an educated experienced agent regarding this matter.
I digress.. All of the marketing in the world will not convince buyers to buy your home if your home is out of the range of true market value.
Just to illustrate. I like to shop at Macey's, say I find a dress, my size, my color etc.. I see the dress at Macey's for $150. then I see the same dress at Penny's for $95.00. All things being equal, which one do I buy? This is how buyers are thinking today. They're greatest fear is paying too much and right now, with all of the inventory, real estate, in my opinion, is about price.
You may say " but I have a unique home". Sad to say, but in the current market, there aren't unique homes, that buyers will pay over market value for.
Lori Lincoln, Realtor/Partner with Keller Williams Realty. If you would like more information on selling your home. Lori lis a Real Estate Expert in Bristol County Massachusetts. If you would like a free market valuation of your home without cost or obligation, call Lori Lincoln who knows the facts, the neighborhoods and will help you achieve your goals and sell your home.
Lori Lincoln and her team sell homes in Taunton Massachusetts, Berkley, Assonet, Rehoboth, Somerset, Freetown, Bristol County MA and surrounding cities and towns.
For a Free MLS Search for the entire state of Massachusetts go to Massachusetts Real Estate
Thank you for viewing my blog.
Lori Lincoln
http://www.Lincolnteamrealestate.com
508-878-0917
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Good turn around on the listings. If only they listened right away.
Great post! I completely agree with you. The only things being accomplished when over pricing are stress, aggravation, and the seller potentially losing more money than originally going with the market value price.
Lori,
It is all about price. Price it right and it will sell. Otherwise be prepared to sit on it.
Christine,
Thanks for the comments.