So hubby and his brothers/sisters all own their mothers house close to Lake Michigan. A year ago last January, we put it up for sale....almost two years later and it is still for sale. We started at 96,900 and are now down to 73,000. We have put money into the house but it still needs a little work and some personal touches. My question is, do you think if we take it off the market for a short period and put it back on with another Realtor, we would have better luck?
For the full 21 months the house has been for sale, we have had the same Realtors. I personally really like them and they are always helping me when I need anything. I had an opportunity to work with them on a business level as well and they are just great people. Even hubby is now suggesting that maybe we need a new realtor. His brothers/sisters are pushing him, but I don't know. I really like the ones we have, they just havent sold our headache!
2007-10-30 08:14:10 · 12 answers · asked by MyKidsMom 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
We have talked to our realtors and others....no one can figure out why this house isnt selling. It has local realtors stumped. I have also asked what it will take to sell. We are slowly making improvements but it would help if it was all done at once, but with hubby and I working full time, it gets difficult. His family wont help one bit, but the hads will be extended once it sells I am sure!
2007-10-30 08:30:42 · update #1
We signed two contracts with the realtor. A one year contract in January of 2005 and a six month contract in February 2007. It is four blocks from the beach in a great neighborhood. It is not the cheapest house for sale.
2007-10-30 09:47:27 · update #2
If your Realtors are working for you, unless you find a Realtor that specializes in that area, or has a new marketing plan, it probably won't make much difference if you change Realtors.
Take a look at what they have in the MLS. Is all the information accurate? How do the pictures look? Have the pictures been updated to reflect the work you have done? Do they have a Visual Tour? Are they trying some creative marketing techniques?
Good luck to you.
2007-10-30 08:48:38 · answer #1 · answered by godged 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Due to the market sales are not great. Changing Realtors really won't change the home. What you should be concerned about is the marketing by your Realtor. Is your home on home searching websites other than the MLS? Is there an ad in local newspapers? Open houses? Is your Realtor send out mailings announcing/reminding that your home is for sale and the price has significantly dropped? Although the market is bad, people are still buying. But they are buying homes that are priced right. Also ask your Realtor how many homes have sold in your area recently and the avg price sold.
2007-10-30 08:36:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
As a buyer, I have to say that seeing that a house has been on the market for 600+ days would scare me (either the house has major issues or the seller isn’t motivated enough). Taking it off the market for awhile might allow you to go back on as a “new” listing. You’d have to check with agents in that area to find out how long that time period is in Michigan.
Before you replace your agents, ask for stats on what’s sold in that area in the last couple years, paying attention to how long it took properties to sell. Based on the price you gave, I’m under the assumption that the house is in a small town or a rural area. I grew up in a small town (a few hundred ppl), and I can tell you that since there’s not a lot of job opportunity, there isn’t a huge demand for houses. The other issue with small towns is that it can be difficult to price anything because comps are so few and far between.
Have the agents suggested anything that you could do to make the house more appealing? If they aren’t being helpful in that department, then you may need to replace them.
2007-10-30 08:37:43 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot list with someone else while the property is already listed with someone. ("ASK M" first person who answered your question)
Any house on the market over SIX months has something wrong with it, no matter WHAT the market is doing. If they haven't sold the property, they are not good. It doesn't matter how nice they are to work with or how nice they handle your calls. You don't need them for friends.
FIND out WHY it isn't selling. Close to Lake Michigan? HOW close? Can you see the water? I would not put any more money or time in that house. If a large drop in the price didn't help move it, personal touches are not what is needed.
That price is very low for being close to the lake. I live close to Lake Michigan. I would like to know WHERE the house is, there is nothing available in the market as low as your house is listed for..............
2007-10-30 09:32:44 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
In all honesty, the market has slowed down a lot. Have visitors who have come through filled out any kind of questionnaire about the property? Anonymously people will tell you what they do and don't like about a home. A new realtor may help, but it may not. It might be the house or the location. Maybe you should contact someone from HGTV, seriously. They have those shows to help people get homes ready to sell, maybe they can help. If you and your husband like the agents, it would be hard to change. If the price has come down more than $20K, I just think it must be something else.
2007-10-30 08:26:00 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you are in the worst part of the country for home sales right now. If you are happy with what they are doing for you, and you feel they are marketing it as best as possible then stick with them. What else are the other Realtors going to do? probably the same exact thing. You are just in a really tough area. You could rent it out until the market comes back around and you can get a quicker sale, and maybe even for more money.
2007-10-30 13:44:22 · answer #6 · answered by frankie b 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As you know, the real estate market is in tough shape, particularly in the midwest.
Only you can make this move, but you need to determine a few things:
Ask you current realtor why the house isnt selling. Ask what they are doing to market your home. Ask them what they think it will take to sell the property. If they dont have clear succinct answers to these questions, interview new agents.
Any agent you hire needs a marketing plan for your property. They need to show what experience they have in this type of market.
Your property could be overpriced, (not unusual when many family members are involved in the sale, as invariably there are one or 2 that have no clue as to what the true value is). With an overpriced property, you are never going to sell, even if Trump is your personal agent.
2007-10-30 08:23:00 · answer #7 · answered by patrick 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It does not pay to change realtors. If these folks are doing what they should do in terms of marketing the property, a new realtor will do the same, with probably the same result.
Frankly, the greatest exposure you can get is through the MLS, and you already have that with your current realtor. Rather than switch around, why don't you ask them what they think might help sell this property ? My guess is they will be glad to offer suggestions.
2007-10-30 08:20:11 · answer #8 · answered by acermill 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If ti is located in Racine WI, that would be part of your problem, as in location. If you are anywhere in Michigan then it is the economy, as that is the worst housing market in the U.S. Another part is the housing situation as a whole right now. See if any other houses have sold in that general area, and for how much. There has to be an underlying reason, location, price, structure etc.
2007-10-30 10:11:57 · answer #9 · answered by Pengy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why don't you keep the Realtor but also list on on Buy Owner
and Ebay, and Help U Sell because it is a slow market right now.
2007-10-30 08:19:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋