Stephen Strickhausen

Show me the money!

We have all seen them. We have all heard about them. They are lurking all around us. We are in amazement by the shadows they cast over us. Just the sight of them makes us feel interior. They are…dun.dun.dun…dun….the Mega Mansion!! ( I know…you quivered didn’t you?)

The monster homes are a bitter/sweet listing. On one end you want to list it because you know it would be a killer sell. One the other end you know that it will take quite a while and you will be putting in a lot of time and a lot of money. Whatever the feelings you have, we all share that moment of first sight when your jaw hits the floor and you hesitate to blink for fear that you may miss one of the breathtaking details.

That being said, sometimes you enter these mansions and, well, they are not quite what you were expecting. Though the footprint of the house is enormous, you almost feel let down by the interior. You start to ask yourself why this house needs to be so big. Or, why is the price so high. There can be complete wastes of space and less desirable features. I have actually been in a mega-home that sprawled about 6500 square feet and yet there were, what looked like, target lighting fixtures. (no disrespect to Target...but lets get real here)

Today, I did a preview of a house that was enormous and perfect in all ways. This house had exquisite detail work and unbelievable woodwork. The craftsmanship of this house was well worth the price tag. We are talking about paint treatments that are extremely expensive, crown moldings that command attention and the finest detail work I have ever seen on the banisters.

Sometimes when looking at these houses you want to be able to see where the money is. I walked around the house and could tell they stopped at nothing to make this home a showpiece. It was very refreshing to me because sometimes you walk through these mega homes and wonder where the money went. Yes the location may be great, and the views might be awe-inspiring, but in the end its just not that special.

I should not have to leave a mega home and wonder why the price was so high. After all, if you are thinking that…the buyer more than likely is too.

Stephen Strickhausen

Keller Williams

9175 Carothers Pkwy

Franklin, TN 37067

(615) 778-1818

615-480-5770

Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

I was speaking to a Sales Agent last month about buyers these days and the crazy things they ask for in the homes they intend to purchase. Even though there are definitely requests that you would never have heard ten years ago,they ask for these features with such ease. It blows me away that technology and decadence has come some far in the last years that home buyers can ask the agent to find a home with automatic heat sensored lighting systems. Have you seen these master baths they are creating? Who needs a day spa anymore? I am talking about television sets embeded in the mirrors, 44 person hot tubs, rain shower head that suddenly emerge from middle of ceiling. These features are insane. Because of the fact the buyers are so exposed to these features, compliments of reality telesivision and HGTV, they know they can be had if they ask. (of course this is before they fall over cold when you tell them the price)

After this discussion I came across this video. It does a much better job of explaining peoples mentality than I can. When you are stressing out over finding a home that electronically changes diapers, washes dishes and mows the lawn because your buyer insists that it is what they need.... keep this in mind.

To Watch this hilarious video click HERE.

What requests do you get that have stopped you in your tracks?

What home technology blows you away?

Stephen Strickhausen

Keller Williams

9175 Carothers Pkwy

Franklin, TN 37067

(615) 778-1818

615-480-5770

Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

I have posted a few blogs lately that have talked about the best ways to market a home. I really wanted to show what I do as a Realtor to market my listings here in Nashville. Besides the normal sign in yard, MLS, open houses on Sunday, and THE RIGHT PRICE, there are many ways that can help with the quick sale of a home.

After writing a few blogs I got several responses that basically said something to the effect of “If you price it right then it will sell”. I DO agree with this although there are other factors that are VERY important to the quick sale of a home.

I was searching through the MLS this afternoon when I stumbled across what appears to be the BEST deal in the area. This is a well sought after neighborhood in Nashville. The square footage was higher than most and the price was right! In fact, the price is amazing for this area. I looked at the days on market and it is pushing 4 months now!

Since I am looking for a good deal for my client I then proceeded to look at the pictures that were posted by the “owner agent”. To my surprise I found that THERE WERE NONE!!!!! Not ONE more picture besides the front of the house!!!! I did some further investigating and learned that there was nothing major wrong with the house. I thought that for this price in this area that there must be some major foundation, roof, electrical, or plumbing problems.

Dear mister “owner agent” (which was even more of a shock), Rule #1 POST PICTURES OF YOUR LISTING!!!! I cannot tell you how many times I have not sent a listing to a client because there were no pictures. When clients are looking through the listings that you send them, they want to see the granite counter tops and bedroom colors. If there is no picture then they will decline even looking at it. I DO understand that investors ( which I immediately sent this listing to mine )might look at just the dollar per SF and want to go see a property purely based on numbers (not pictures) but there aren’t many families that will buy into that.

With all this being said, you can’t tell me that marketing does not play a big key into selling a home quickly. What it boils down to is tugging on the heart strings of some family out there that will fall in LOVE with your listing. There are many ways to do this and I have talked about that in previous blogs. Pricing is VERY important but not the only thing that sells a home. Point proven….

Stephen Strickhausen

KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY

9175 Carothers Pky Suite 110

615-778-1818

Sstrickhausen@gmail.com

Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

Oooh-aahhh

It is no secret that as you drive around Williamson County, in Tennessee, you are going to pass countless neighborhoods that are among some of the most beautiful you have ever seen. The terrain is soft and rolling and the homes are, well…incredible. There are some areas that are so spectacular you really have to see it to believe it. That being said, there are some that, even among its contenders, stand out among the rest. For example, there is Westhaven. Westhaven is situated west of Franklin in the hills of Williamson County. The master planned community is know throughout Nashville as one of the best. Driving through this scenic neighborhood you truly feel as though you are on a movie set or the famed Wisteria Lane. (assuming you have seen Desperate Housewives) The homes are built perfectly and the Families flock in droves to live in this desirable area.

I have recently discovered a newer neighborhood in Williamson County that literally blew me away. Set in incredible tree filled hills in the heart of Brentwood sits Windstone. Windstone’s streets wind through rolling terrain in a tree lined valley that gives a secluded feel. As you enter the development you are greeted with a winding drive lined with incredible landscaping and pond housing swans. (yes…you read swans)

The heavy black wrought iron and stone gates open and you are transported into a hidden jewel. Though this neighborhood is smack in the middle of Brentwood, when those gates open you truly feel that you are entering your own treasure that no one else knows about. The first homes you pass are the largest in the development. When I say large I mean L-A-R-G-E!!! These castles are truly perfect. With their use of texture and color scheme these homes look as though they could only work in this setting. Each possesses a personality of their own. I have been in these dream homes. Let me just say…unreal. It is so nice to walk through a home that the builder did not stop until it was perfect. The materials are top of the line. The crown moldings guide you through room by room, each with its own feature. The great room features a lodge feel with its stone mantle and exposed beams. You just have to see it to understand the perfection of these homes.

As you travel through the rest of the development you are constantly in awe of its beauty and flow. The development features townhomes and estate homes as well as mid-range homes.

I have driven through the development countless times and each time I am in amazement. I could speak about Windstone for five more pages. I urge anyone in Nashville to check this one out. Heck, if you are breathing check this one out. I know that if I have any buyers looking in the upper price range this will be the first place I take them. However, it would be smarter to make it the last because once they see it the standard is set very high.

Stephen Strickhausen

Keller Williams

9175 Carothers Ave, Suite 110

615-778-1818

615-480-5770

sstrickhausen@gmail.com

NASHVILLE MLS SEARCH

Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.

Hold Up…Lets Just Think For a Second!

I recently went to work with a client that needed help getting their home ready to sell. It had been on the market for several weeks with no offers and no interest from buyers. The only remarks were not in their favor. After this had gone on for several weeks they gave me a call to come give them some pointers. I knew there was going to be many issues to be addressed because I had seen their home before, however I REALLY underestimated this one!!!

The first thing that greeted me as I walked in the door was a huge pile of shoes in the foyer. They prefer guests to remove their shoes and leave them there while in the home. I asked them if these shoes were always there. To my amazement they told me yes. WHAT? They were under the impression that it would be forgivable by buyers because it was the best place to put them. Here’s a thought…how about the CLOSET??
I proceeded with the couple to the, well…I guess it was the family room. I could not tell what it was because there was a baby bassinet, television on the floor, and one couch. No pictures. No mirrors. No rugs. Nothing. Each room of the house was empty, other than one or two things. Chalk drawings on the walls were everywhere, along with toy chests and stained carpets.
I quickly realized I was about to have to break the news that they needed serious help. We went room by room and gave each one a purpose. We added pictures and rugs to living areas and transformed an open room into the ‘Sun Room.’
The part of this that amazed me the most was that they were not selling the home themselves. THEY HAD AN AGENT !! When I asked them if the agent had addressed any of these issues they told me that it had not been mentioned. What?
I was shocked to hear this because it seemed as though the agent should tell them these things needed to be addressed to sell the house.
The thing is that it is not the house that left an impression on me. What I remember the most is the Agent they were working with. The experience gave me insight to how that agent conducts business. I saw first hand what that agent considers to be good enough. In my opinion, every time you tour a home listed with an agent that home somewhat represents that agent. I will remember that the agent I have spoken of did not care enough to be honest with the seller. They did not want to put in the extra work to help them. To them it was just another listing that they would add to their resume. The agent owed that family more than they were given.
To this day I remember that because I want my fellow agents to leave any listing I have knowing that I am working for the seller to the best of my ability. I want them to see, first hand, my standards. This means I have to be honest and not afraid to put in extra work to make sure their home is seen as a great product. Don’t we owe them that? In the case of the family I have spoken of it would not have been that hard to tell the seller it might be a good idea to move the pile of shoes out of the foyer. Or, maybe spend ten minutes to wipe the chalk off the walls. Yes, it is the sellers job to keep the house clean and ready. However, sometimes they need the honest input from the agent they are paying to guide them along the way.

Weston Blankenship, Home Stager and Designer for

Stephen Strickhausen

Keller Williams

9175 Caroters Parkway

Suite 110 Franklin, TN

Sstrickhausen@gmail.com

615-480-5770

615-778-8898

Disclaimer:
Franklin Homes for Sale, Nashville homes for Sale, Nashville home search, Property in Brentwood TN, Franklin TN Real Estate, Franklin TN Realtor, Franklin MLS search, Nashville MLS search, Green Hills TN Properties for sale, Spring Hill TN Homes for sale, Belle Meade, Middle Tennessee, Music City, Stephen Strickhausen, and Keller Williams do not necessarily reflect any of the views or beliefs held by Active Rain or it’s employees.