Why can't I sell my Suwanee home? (homes, subdivisions)

[Twinkletoes]

Lizzy, my house has only been on the market for a week, but I saw 2 houses in my neighborhood go under contract the week before I listed mine. I have been paying close attention to the activity over there. Moderator cut: no advertising, use dm please

[brookdaleresident]

nice house and property, Twinkletoes. good luck!

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by Twinkletoes

Lizzy, my house has only been on the market for a week, but I saw 2 houses in my neighborhood go under contract the week before I listed mine. I have been paying close attention to the activity over there. Mine is priced at 239K. It is listed with Remax and my agent did a really great job with advice and also with the flyers he made. If you want to get his name or take a peek at my house, the MLS ID is 3676229 and there's a virtual tour on his website. Don't know if I can't list his website? His name is Jason Moore at Remax.

Your agent has done a competent job of marketing. He's got the max number of pics allowed in FMLS (and they're good, professional pics) and attached a virtual tour with many more pics. However he doesn't have any photos attached to his GaMLS listing (which is the listing service with a consumer portal site atlantamls.com -- FMLS has no consumer site) even though he does have the virtual tour attached to that listing. Also, he doesn't have showcase listings on Realtor.com so there's only 1 pic there and no description (also no virtual tour attached there). Since he's with Re/Max, there are probably syndication agreements in effect that push the listing out to other web sites, but Realtor.com is still the #1 consumer portal for real estate and buyers are MUCH more likely to check out your listing if it has multiple pics and a virtual tour attached.

Your house is lovely, but it's showing a bit cold. I think you have probably decluttered too much. A few colorful accessories and something on the walls would probably warm it up a bit and make it feel a little more like "home".

Good luck on a quick sale!

[Twinkletoes]

Note to self - clean windows, buy grout paint, and re-clutter. Check! I love this forum - people are so nice about giving advice to help others.

Intown, thanks for the notes on the pictures. I'm going to ask my realtor to put up more pics at the sites you mentioned.

[IntownHomes247]

Originally Posted by Twinkletoes

Note to self - clean windows, buy grout paint, and re-clutter. Check! I love this forum - people are so nice about giving advice to help others.

Intown, thanks for the notes on the pictures. I'm going to ask my realtor to put up more pics at the sites you mentioned.

FYI, since your agent apparently doesn't have showcase listings on Realtor.com (which he has to purchase annually not on a per listing basis, and can be pricey if he had a lot of listings last year), he can have Homescenes attach your virtual tour to the Realtor.com listing very inexpensively (approx. $20). On Realtor.com, when search results are returned, people can sort based on the number of photos or whether or not listings have a virtual tour. Most people do this, since most people don't consider homes based on just one pic and a bullet list of basic info. So if he at least gets the virtual tour attached, it should improve your position in the search results.

Many intown agents don't "trick out" their GaMLS listings since most intown agents don't use GaMLS. However, consumers searching online as well as suburban agents (particularly in North Georgia) use GaMLS over FMLS, so it's a big mistake not to put as much attention in the GaMLS listing as you do in the FMLS listing.

[atlantamoi]

God, we need to clean the grout badly in our bathroom. I'm not even sure how. I think I might need a small nulcear device.

[vecchio]

Do some digging on your own. In this market, the most significant issue in getting to a sale is analysis of comps. Find out what the last ten homes that sold nearest to your home sold for. Drive by and take a look at the homes - see how much curb appeal, etc. Make sure that your home is priced competitively with all the other homes for sale in our area.

Also, you may wish to order one of those PODS trucks and put many of your belongings and "signature decorating items" into storage. Sometimes, we get so accustomed to the things we love, that what we see as style and beauty all our own can be viewed by buyers as clutter - and clutter prevents a buyer from envisioning their OWN belongings in the space. In particular, pay attention to the kitchen, the master bedroom, and the living room. Furnishings should be simple and not dominate the space. Artwork should be non-confrontational - your husband's collection of Fifties pinups might be lovely to both of you, but they might not coincide with with tastes of a buyer who otherwise loves your home - and they will hold it against you.

During your open house, get and burn a couple of those apple-pie-scent candles and/or cinnamon-roll-scent candles. Scientific research has proven that people respond to the scents of vanilla, cinnamon and apple in a very positive way. If you aren't computer-savvy, ask a friend to prepare a one-page handout on your home, listing all the amenities and featuring a picture of your home - this can help fatigued buyers to remember your property.

Finally, your home should be spotlessly clean and shining each and every time you are showing it - if you're not ship-shape, don't let your realtor take people through. You only get one chance to make a first impression.

As a last-ditch effort, you can visit a Catholic Guild store and puchase a statue of Saint Joseph. Bury that statue in your backyard, and the tradition says you should have a buyer within one month (but do not forget to dig Saint Joseph up and give him a proper home in your NEW residence, or you will have bad luck in the new home, so the story goes.)

Good luck - I hope you get the buyer you want!

[cj1234]

I am living your nightmare. I live in nw cumming in a 04 home with every option 3 car screened in porch the works. not a bite we even lowered the price at one point so just the realtors got paid and we walk away with 0 dollars. well we took it off the market. it has be many months and we are just about to give it another go. I also kept it very clean, my kids hated me. now I no it just dose not matter its just the right buyer. so stick to your guns on price and kill your self cleaning good luck

[cool_mommy]

Originally Posted by cj1234

I am living your nightmare. I live in nw cumming in a 04 home with every option 3 car screened in porch the works. not a bite we even lowered the price at one point so just the realtors got paid and we walk away with 0 dollars. well we took it off the market. it has be many months and we are just about to give it another go. I also kept it very clean, my kids hated me. now I no it just dose not matter its just the right buyer. so stick to your guns on price and kill your self cleaning good luck

Your post has me curious. If your house didn't sell then how did the realtors get paid?

[jillmaican]

Originally Posted by cool_mommy

Your post has me curious. If your house didn't sell then how did the realtors get paid?

He priced to so only the realtors WOULD be paid if it sold...he would not leave with a check in hand.