Jeannie Kontis, Lancaster PA Real Estate & Lancaster County Homes for Sale

I showed a house today that was haunted. No kidding. The seller confirmed it, and this was after my buyer witnessed it.

So, what exactly do you put on a Sellers Disclosure form for this type of property?

We were looking at a very large, very old home for sale - built in the 1800s. On the first floor was a commercial space, and the second and third floors were turned into large apartments. I ended up standing on the landing on the first floor because I had to make a phone call, while my buyers and the seller and the listing agent went upstairs.

All of the sudden, Mr. Buyer comes downstairs and says he "will wait outside." Ms. Buyer is upstairs telling the seller the house just needs too much work for them, and rather than wasting anyone's time they'd prefer to just end the showing. The seller is confirming to her that "Yes, it is too much work renovating this home", and that he just does not have the time or funds to continue and he understands their situation.

As Ms. Buyer is walking out the door, the Seller whispers to me, "this house is haunted - I've seen ghosts and the tenants confirm it." Ms.Buyer comes back in and says that is exactly the reason Mr.Buyer walked out --he saw something upstairs. Well, Mr.Seller was so thrilled that someone confirmed what he just told me out of earshot of the buyers. Apparently, he has seen a woman with a red cloak on numerous times, and whispered this in my ear so others couldn't hear it. Mr.Buyer confirmed that he did see two figures, a man and a woman -- not knowing what the seller just told me. He left quickly because he did not want to "talk" to them - as he has done this in the past and goes into a trance-like state, and did not want to freak anyone out (according to what he told us as to why he left suddenly - I have never witnessed this personally!)

Seller asks him to tell us exactly what he saw, because he wanted confirmation about seeing this woman in red that he whispered to me about. Buyer says he has seen a woman with victorian-like garb on. Well, a red cloak seems to fit the bill in my book! Both the seller and I look at each other - a bit freaked - but he was so relieved that someone just confirmed what he has seen on numerous occassions and what his tenants have been telling him.

So, now he is stuck trying to sell a haunted house. I told him and his agent that there are people who buy homes like this, and to search for them. If they truly feel the house is haunted, they might as well play it up and market it as such! This poor Listing Agent just looked so freaked about the whole thing - like he wished his Seller would just shut up about it! But the man knows what he saw, and it's apparently one of the reasons he wants to sell.

Someone will buy it. Would you?

I almost wish I had this listing, as I think it would be a cool home to market -- although I might scare the bejeebies out of myself! I hope the Listing Agent is so freaked out, that he would just refer the listing to me!

If you had a chance to list a haunted house - would you take the listing?

And if so, what would be put on the Sellers Disclosure?

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Homes in Lancaster PA -- Lancaster County Real Estate for Lancaster Real Estate, historic properties, Homes for Sale in Lancaster PA

Earlier this week I posted Fireworks Avoided at Settlement Today about my settlement that was saved from going awry due to a disgruntled buyer (not my buyer!). Now that this horrid settlement was over and done with, I was geared up for today's settlement - which was a whole different ballgame.

Several weeks ago I posted about a dear friend and the joy of his finding his first home, in The Joys of First Time Home Ownership. Today was finally his settlement day. I don't know if it was because he was a first-time buyer and so was completely naive about the whole thing, or if it is because he is a geniunely nice person as opposed to the buyer I wrote about in this week's earlier settlement fiasco. But, the differences between settlements were like night and day.

In today's settlement, and before we even got to this point, the buyer and the sellers really genuinely liked each other. It could be because the buyer brought a teddy bear for the seller's baby when we went to see the house for the first time. Much to my and the other agent's horror, the buyer and seller ended up getting in touch with each other on an almost daily basis to talk about the house. We kept telling them to stop doing this, and they kept doing it anyway. ..... It could have turned out to have been a FIASCO!

The other agent and I realized that there just wasn't much we could do to keep them apart or keep them from talking, other than confiscate their cell phones -- so we decided that whatever it was that they decided on their own (such as repairs and credits and what was being left behind) we would make sure that we were comfortable with the arangement as well and would make sure to put everything in writing.

In this case, the seller agreed to refinish the hardwood floor in the dining room for the buyer. The other agent and I had nothing to do with this decision, but we made sure to put it in writing and had all parties sign. The seller was suppose to do some electrical repairs before settlement -- but the buyer and seller agreed (on their own) for the buyer to just accept a credit because he was going to update the electrical anyway on his own after settlement to 200 amp service. The other agent and I made sure to put in in writing for them.

They were so civil with each other, and fair, that all we did was make sure that they weren't making any decisions that would come to haunt them afterwards. We kept them legal and upfront and within the parameters that we felt comfortable with. The buyer and seller, together, will be working on refinishing the kitchen floor this week.

I almost felt like I wasn't needed at all during this transaction at first, but instead turned that around to realize just how much I really was needed to make sure none of their decisions were going to end up being catastrophies. My buyer would call or IM me, after speaking with the seller, to tell me of a decision they would come to - and would always ask my opinion. I gave it to him honestly, and he listened (thank God!). But there was nothing I could do about keeping them from talking. The other agent got to the point where he told his seller (who he was realted to) that they could just decide whatever they wanted, and he didn't want to know about it (since he couldn't keep his sellers from talking to the buyer either). I told him that I disagree, and that we need to make sure we both feel comfortable with their decisions to make sure they don't make any mistakes, and that we need to make sure everything is in writing - for my protection, for his protection, and for our clients. He finally agreed, and was then actively involved in helping me to get their agreements in writing after their decisions were made.

The only thing that I worry about is that both, the buyer and the seller, will assume that every single real estate transaction will be this easy. I hope it is for them, that's for sure. I know this move will not be the last for either party involved - as my buyer is a young single man and the sellers are a young married couple with a baby. They'll move lots of times by the time they "grow up". Instead, I hope that this has taught them that a buyer and a seller can definitely move forward amicably and make things work fairly, and that nothing with this type of transaction is a life or death decision, and especially that it feels much better at the end of the day when handed the keys to your new home if you genuinely like the person who is doing so, and wish them well as they move forward.

What a great lesson learned!! Not only for my first-time buyer, but for me as well. I'm sure the other agent and his sellers walked away feeling the same way.

Now this is how a successful real estate transaction should end!
With hugs.
With a few happy tears.
And, perhaps, with a new lifelong friendship made.

If you agree, please rate this post!

If you are a first time buyer in Lancaster PA, contact me for guidance with your important decision. Homes for Sale in Lancaster PA -- Lancaster County Real Estate

I came across this fun "What's Hot -- What's Not" list compiled in a recent Realtor.org feature (from The National Association of Realtors). I thought it was interesting enough to share with my Buyers and Sellers in the Lancaster Real Estate market.

For Lancaster Real Estate Information, visit Homes for Sale in Lancaster PA -- Lancaster County Real Estate

For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.

I spoke with a 'soon to be expired listing' homeowner today, who is just about done giving his Realtor second chances and done extending the listing contract. He's ready to list with someone else who can get the job done. Hopefully, I'll get the job - as he's interviewing with a few other agents as well as myself next week. True, the market has been fluctuating, but after doing some research into the home and the listing history it seems like this Realtor hasn't done much other than open houses.

The photos of the exterior and interior have been taken 8 months ago -- way back when the house was still occupied! Since then, the homeowner has moved out and has painted the walls. No new pictures were updated into the MLS or the advertising. The homeowner suggested installing new carpets -- now how many homeowners actually bring this up themselves!? Well, the listing agent told him not to bother, that the buyers might not like the color, etc. The homeowner even offered to pick something neutral in color! He was willing to re-carpet the entire home to get the house sold. Still, no positive input or encouragement from the agent.

So, the house sat and sat on the market. Now the agent is losing the listing, but hopefully I'll be able to not only pick up the listing, but pick up the pieces that he's left behind. I've already told the homeowner over the phone what I would do as far as presenting the home in a better light - in a way that would attract buyers and certainly not turn them away, and he was very open to my ideas. To start with, I'd like to take a look at the floors *under* the carpet! I have a feeling they are character-filled softwood pine, true to the age and style of the home and true to the area in which we live - which a buyer would most likely love and would NOT want covered with wall to wall plush! I'd also highlight many of the other features that seem to have gotten lost in the mis-categorized listing input sheet, which I realized after speaking with the homeowner.

Still, it makes absolutely no sense to me as to why an agent would disregard upgrades that the seller is willing to do in order to sell the home and present it better. I guess his loss is my gain. Hopefully. Let's see how it turns out next week when I get to see the place in person -- I might decide I don't even want it! But I doubt that - it looks like a very sellable home in a popular style for this area, not to mention a seller who is willing to do what it takes to get it sold, but who did not have the support of his agent. Makes no sense to me, but I'll be more than willing to pick up the pieces and set them right again.

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If your home for sale HAS NOT SOLD and you are looking for a Lancaster Realtor who will get the job done, visit Homes in Lancaster PA -- Lancaster County Real Estate to get a peek at my marketing plan and to contact me. No obligation. We can just talk about what you are looking for in a Realtor, and I can tell you how I can deliver a buyer to your door.

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For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.

All content Copyright ⓒ 2007 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County

Well, I've tried my first attempt at staging this past week, and so far it has been pretty exciting. I don't have any formal staging or decorating experience yet, other than doing my own house which I receive many compliments on. But I've had this vacant house for sale in Manheim Township, Lancaster PA just sitting there on the market -- and it's really a beautiful house -- but it showed absolutely no personality with it's bare rooms and walls.

Luckily for me, my client just happens to be able to obtain furniture at a reasonable cost, so we went to work! We only did two rooms just to get a feel for what it would look like. The family room looks great (compared to what it was!) and turned into a fun place to "hang out". Beforehand, it was white walls and light carpet, and nothing was happening to make it stand out. The furniture we were able to deliver really awakened the room, and I received numerous compliments on it during our open house.

The second room we did was the sitting room in the Master Bedroom -- I turned it into a very luxurious, private area -- a true "grown up's room" complete with gourmet chocolates in the beaded fancy candy dish. I think it's an elegant personal resting spot - and the compliments were fantastic!

So now, we're going to be working on one more room - the formal living room. This is the room that scares me, because it's the first room you see when you walk in the front door. But I figure anything can be better than seeing a canaverous empty room - so we'll give it a shot. I have a feeling once this is done (and perhaps the dining room?), an offer can't be too far behind.

So now I've been bitten by the staging bug and am thinking of getting certified to learn more about it and offer it as a service to my clients. Any advice or comments -- pro's or con's -- would be appreciated!

Here are my results ..... and ..... before pics:

For your Lancaster Real Estate or
Manheim Township Real Estate needs,

contact Jeannie Kontis at 717-330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com .

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For more information on Homes for Sale in Lancaster, or questions and/or concerns about buying or selling a home in Lancaster County PA, please contact Jeannie Kontis at (717) 330-5137 or email at Jeannie@JeannieSellsLancaster.com.

Search for Lancaster Homes for Sale at www.JeannieSellsLancaster.com

Jeannie Kontis, RealtorⓇ, is a member of the award-winning Bob Wells Realty Group of Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc, and serves buyers and sellers of real estate throughout Lancaster County.

All content Copyright ⓒ 2008 Jeannie Kontis Homes in Lancaster PA - Real Estate in Lancaster County