Circle C countertop opinions - resale value

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by funicorn

... Now I just have to figure out where to stow 2 toddlers and 2 big dogs during showings. lol If houses are really selling in a week, maybe listing time would be a spectacular time to rent a beach house in Galveston for a week. ...

That's actually a really good idea, and many sellers do clear out the first weekend. We encourage it in high demand listings.

Ideally, a house goes on the market on a Thursday evening. You're out of it for previews and initial showings during the day on Friday. Friday night you pack, leave early Saturday AM for a short getaway with the kids and dogs (husband too) and return Sunday evening.

Meanwhile, listed as "call and go" with no obsticles for showing agents, plus open houses Sat and/or Sun. It's staged perfect and neat as a pin, and hopefully you have multiple offers by Monday morning.

Optimistic? Yes, but that's how you sell a house in 5 days. You have to have faith and believe it will happen, and work hard to make it happen. Don't cut corners, but don't put money and effort into things that don't matter. Your agent will collect feedback from showing agents. Not a one of them will say "the house was perfect for them, if only it had granite counters. They're going to keep looking". Nobody rules a house out because of that one item. Buyers buy based on price, location and floorplan/condition. If yours is good in those areas, granite won't matter.

As an aside, I'm just sickened by all the lazy sellers and agents who go on market with an overpriced unprepared listing. Easy simple things not tended to. Selling a house is sort of like losing weight. There are no secrets, we all know what needs to happen, yet so many people don't do the work, and thus don't get the results.

That said, for 2011 "Not Solds" (expired and withdrawn) dropped to 40% from 48% in 2010, so more listings are succeeding in getting sold again and I expect that number to drop further this year as inventory shrinks relative to demand. Areas like CC are leading the way in renewed demand. The rest of Austin will follow, though it might take a year or more.

Steve

[shmatbert]

Austin-steve - I wish I could increase your reputation more but it won't let me yet! Everyone needs a realtor like you. You are right on. I can't stand it when realtors come in and tell the seller to spend a bunch of money to update without really analyzing whats going on in the area. It's irresponsible. Sometimes you do need to spend money to make money, and sometimes you don't. Sometimes you just need to take all your junk to Goodwill and put a fresh coat of paint on.

[motherofthree]

Originally Posted by shmatbert

Austin-steve - I wish I could increase your reputation more but it won't let me yet!

Ditto!

[funicorn]

Steve, you are my hero of the week. Thanks a million.