Photos
No photos, or the few that are being used, are very bad photos. There should be no people or pets in them. They should not be fuzzy or dark. They should not include closeups of the a/c unit, light fixtures, or the toilet. Speaking of toilets, we really don’t need to see them. If the photo can’t be angled so as to not include them, then at least shut the lid!
Unless there is a security reason, there should be the maximum of 12 photos used. Ask your agent to provide a full customer sheet with page two which includes the photos. Or search any site such as Realtor.com or my Albuquerque Real Estate site and see what the photos looks like.
Limited Showings
Restricting your showings to 10am-7pm shouldn’t cause too much of a problem. Even asking for an hour or two of notice should be fine. Only allowing your home to be shown a couple of days a week or a few hours a day is going to cause your house to be skipped over. Asking for a day’s notice, unless there are tenant rights, will move your house to the bottom of the pile.
No Lockbox
Unless you have a luxury home, not having a lockbox is the same as putting a “GO AWAY” mat on your front porch. With over 7000 homes on the market, agents don’t need to wait for you or your agent to meet them at the house.
Poor descriptions
“4 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, Great home that won’t last.”
This description isn’t going to cause a stampede of eager buyers to your home. Again, ask your agent or search the Internet to see the MLS sheet to view the description of your home.
Over-Pricing
This is not the time to be “testing the market”. Price your home correctly right from the start, or you will be chasing the market down until your home expires. Have your agent prepare a CMA and absorption report.
If your home has expired and you are ready to put it back on the market, give me a call to discuss my marketing plan, which includes a comprehensive Internet presence.
Ashley Drake Gephart |
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
Ashley,
All of these are great reasons why homes don’t sell and the listings expire. The photo thing really bothers me – with digital cameras there is no excuse not to take A LOT of photos.
Rita – I agree with digital photos there is really no excuse. I have taken over 100 photos before to make sure I have 12 good photos. Even if you plan on having a professional come take photos any agent should still take their own set to have up until the pro gets a set for them.
Ashley,
Overpricing can be the kiss of death, especially if the market is headed down. If it is headed up, all you have to do is wait for the market to catch up, but in a down market, the gap gets wider and wider and the price reduction needs to be more the longer you wait to make one. That can be hard for Sellers to accept. Pricing it right from day one means that it won’t expire, it will sell.
Ashley – it’s good of you to give those whose ABQ listings have expired an insight and ultimately and action plan – you have to work to get top dollar in this real estate market and price it correctly. You are my Albuquerque Pro Realtor!
Ashley – Oh, you are so right! There are a number of factors and you have covered them well. Pricing is a huge issue and we can not help a client cover their costs by raising the price. It is too frustrating for all involved.
All of these are valid reasons for homes that didn’t sell. It’s great that you supply this information to owners in Albuquerque so they will know what to expect if they really want to sell their homes.
Joanne – With the current market and the mortgage crisis correct pricing is critical.
Cyndee – A strong action plan and proper pricing will get homes sold!
Paula – We aren’t helping our clients by over-pricing and letting it sit on the market.
Susie – Knowing why homes expire can help you keep your own home from the same fate and make sure you get it sold.
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