Anybody else having trouble selling your house? (Weaverville: rentals, cabinets)

[autumngal]

It is not necessary to bury the statue of St. Joseph, simply ask for him to pray
for you that your house sells.

[the Parkies]

We have struggled (for five months!) to sell a tough house in an even tougher San Diego market. We have felt frustrated and sad because we're eager to move on. We're not getting younger, and for the first time in our lives we feel helpless and out of control. Our two-story 2600 sq. ft. house is staged, beautiful, immaculate, and has breathtaking city/harbor views—the best on the market today in this price range. Unfortunately our property also has challenging staircases—a steep driveway and FORTY STEPS up to the second floor where most of the living happens. Every single thing that comes in or out of this house, including groceries and trash, involves a staircase or two. It has kept us fit for 37 years, but in the current market people are either too young to have the money to buy it or too old or unfit to want to handle the staircases. We’re looking for that one fit couple, say, in their forties, with no more than one child (who should be over the age of five), with lots of money. Wow. Hey--why not specify they also be under 5'8" and have fiery red hair. Oh well, at least we haven't lost our sense of humor yet... quite.

The homes that are selling around here are priced either much lower or much higher than ours. We recently slashed our price for the third time--we don't much care--but if we reduce it any more they’ll start asking, "What's wrong with it?" We recently increased the buying agent's commission to 3.5% and the selling agent’s to 2.5%. (Going rate is 5% for high-end homes.) We have a fine realtor who is also a longtime caring friend who has worked very hard for us!--MLS, two well-attended realtor caravans, several open houses, ads all over the Web. Now she's advertising on a boating website. Gosh, maybe we should advertise in "fitness" websites--LOL. We hope not to have to rent out our lovely home as a vacation destination. But our house in Weaverville will be ready to move into sometime between December and February. We were hoping to watch it being built this August, but haven't had a single offer here in five months. Everyone raves, nobody offers. It's truly scary!

Except for the 2003 kitchen, it’s been 20 years since our last update, but we understand that cosmetic changes like new paint and carpet won’t make the difference in our case. Our problem is those blasted staircases —and those we can’t change. (Installing an elevator would involve major demolition.)

Thank you for your time--I know this is a long post. Any ideas or encouragement would be welcome. I know some of you have been on the market much longer than we have, and we want you to know we feel your pain. If nothing else, maybe this post will brighten the day for those of you who have an easier house to unload! AHHHH ha ha ha ha ha ha........

Jan & Bill

[Father John]

We are just getting ready to sell our home - probably in the Fall.

Our house is just 15 years old and we are the sole owners (we had it built after we designed it). It is built to the minimum CC&Rs for this neighborhood. It is surrounded by home worth more than twice as much (with a few others of our value and up). There is an elementary school nearby. We have 25 trees, including 7 citrus trees on our lot. We were sure we could get a good price for the house...

And then the bottom dropped out of the market. A local RE Agent just sent me a bunch of what he called "comps" to our home that would value it less than the tax assessment value! I was shocked and dismayed. On top of that, he said it would take 90-180 days or more to sell in this over-built market.

Things have changed in the last 12-18 months, that is for sure. Back then, houses were selling faster than they could be listed. Like always, we missed the good times - always a day late and a dollar short.

I'm not going to use the Agent who gave us the poor information, but neither am I going to have high expectations. It will certainly impact our ability to move if our equity is reduced as much as it appears it may be.

So to the OP, yes - I believe we may have trouble selling our home. At least for as much as we need to get from it.

[Back2NC]

For the Parkies - I truly appreciated your post! It does help knowing other people have similar struggles.

However, I have to admit we are the converse regarding housing markets. I live in one of the most stable (let me rephrase that: cheapest) housing markets in the country, so I can't relate to the price points. Upper class homes here go for the price of starter homes in SD. No joke. Still, houses move when they "want to", as opposed to the ebb and flow of the market, making it tricky to plan for a future move.

Sounds like your selling point should be the view - that is huge in SD, as things are so cramped.

Wish I had some advice to impart. Probably the best is have faith and patience. Best wishes.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by the Parkies

We have struggled (for five months!) to sell a tough house in an even tougher San Diego market. We have felt frustrated and sad because we're eager to move on. We're not getting younger, and for the first time in our lives we feel helpless and out of control. Our two-story 2600 sq. ft. house is staged, beautiful, immaculate, and has breathtaking city/harbor views—the best on the market today in this price range. Unfortunately our property also has challenging staircases—a steep driveway and FORTY STEPS up to the second floor where most of the living happens. Every single thing that comes in or out of this house, including groceries and trash, involves a staircase or two. It has kept us fit for 37 years, but in the current market people are either too young to have the money to buy it or too old or unfit to want to handle the staircases. We’re looking for that one fit couple, say, in their forties, with no more than one child (who should be over the age of five), with lots of money. Wow. Hey--why not specify they also be under 5'8" and have fiery red hair. Oh well, at least we haven't lost our sense of humor yet... quite.

The homes that are selling around here are priced either much lower or much higher than ours. We recently slashed our price for the third time--we don't much care--but if we reduce it any more they’ll start asking, "What's wrong with it?" We recently increased the buying agent's commission to 3.5% and the selling agent’s to 2.5%. (Going rate is 5% for high-end homes.) We have a fine realtor who is also a longtime caring friend who has worked very hard for us!--MLS, two well-attended realtor caravans, several open houses, ads all over the Web. Now she's advertising on a boating website. Gosh, maybe we should advertise in "fitness" websites--LOL. We hope not to have to rent out our lovely home as a vacation destination. But our house in Weaverville will be ready to move into sometime between December and February. We were hoping to watch it being built this August, but haven't had a single offer here in five months. Everyone raves, nobody offers. It's truly scary!

Except for the 2003 kitchen, it’s been 20 years since our last update, but we understand that cosmetic changes like new paint and carpet won’t make the difference in our case. Our problem is those blasted staircases —and those we can’t change. (Installing an elevator would involve major demolition.)

Thank you for your time--I know this is a long post. Any ideas or encouragement would be welcome. I know some of you have been on the market much longer than we have, and we want you to know we feel your pain. If nothing else, maybe this post will brighten the day for those of you who have an easier house to unload! AHHHH ha ha ha ha ha ha........

Jan & Bill

Hey, cheer up! You bought it, didn't you? There will be someone else who will love it, and the reduced price, and buy it too Have faith that when it is meant to sell, it will sell.

[lovesMountains]

Originally Posted by Father John

We are just getting ready to sell our home - probably in the Fall.

Our house is just 15 years old and we are the sole owners (we had it built after we designed it). It is built to the minimum CC&Rs for this neighborhood. It is surrounded by home worth more than twice as much (with a few others of our value and up). There is an elementary school nearby. We have 25 trees, including 7 citrus trees on our lot. We were sure we could get a good price for the house...

And then the bottom dropped out of the market. A local RE Agent just sent me a bunch of what he called "comps" to our home that would value it less than the tax assessment value! I was shocked and dismayed. On top of that, he said it would take 90-180 days or more to sell in this over-built market.

Things have changed in the last 12-18 months, that is for sure. Back then, houses were selling faster than they could be listed. Like always, we missed the good times - always a day late and a dollar short.

I'm not going to use the Agent who gave us the poor information, but neither am I going to have high expectations. It will certainly impact our ability to move if our equity is reduced as much as it appears it may be.

So to the OP, yes - I believe we may have trouble selling our home. At least for as much as we need to get from it.

Surely in 15 years you've seen a nice amount of appreciation, even if you won't make on it what the over-inflated market would have given you last year?

I think the great thing is that you are a lower priced home in an area of higher priced ones, plus your lot sounds lovely. Try not to panic until you talk to a few more realtors

[the Parkies]

Thanks, Back2NC and LovesMountains. You're right. We need to cheer up and get busy with all those photo albums hanging around in boxes! LOL

[TuborgP]

after months we buried the statue and sold.

[the Parkies]

Congratulations, TuborgP!! We're happy for you!

So which way did you face St. Joe?--facing the street or the house? Did you have the statue blessed? Pray the novena? (This subject intrigues me!)

It must feel wonderful to have your life back..... !

[DeLaSalle]

Originally Posted by momof2boys

That's great advice! I had three realtors call me this morning, the first one said he'll charge a flat fee of $4k. The next one said don't do it, he'll have hidden fees. Go with her, she'll just charge $5500 and alternate MLS on the computer, and newspaper. The third said, don't go with her, sounds bad alternating. He'll just charge 9k over our price. Oh my gosh, I should have taken a realtor's class. This is so new to me!

Hi Mom;
If your trying to sell in a slow market, you need a realtor more than ever(I am a seller).
I paid my realtor 6% and offered $3k bonus to selling agent...
It seems to be working for me. It's better than letting your home sit.
Best of luck