While strolling through the weekly Farmer's Market in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, I was impressed by this enterprising architect, Will Hurd, of Footprint Architecture and Design p.a. in nearby Newark, Delaware, and his neatly lettered sign, "Architectural Help 25¢". His idea is that if you stop by his booth and briefly describe an architectural problem to him--maybe sketch something on a scrap of paper, he can give you some ideas, add a few pencil strokes, and point you in the right direction, for only 25¢. Of course, if you like his idea, he is available at his regular rate.
So should I try "Real Estate Help 25¢"? Sort of like Lucy in "Peanuts" with her "Psychiatric Help, 5¢"? It's not that people don't want to talk about real estate. Everyone asks how the market is. But they already know the answer. It's not that nothing is selling in our area, but there is a great deal of reluctance to make a move. And buyers are wandering into open houses without a clue as to how they would sell their present home, but they sure do like this house! Here is my 25¢ worth of advice--Start at the beginning.
A. Have an experienced Realtor do a market analysis for your present home.
B. Have your Realtor tell you how you need to get your home ready to market. Get rid of the clutter, pack your nick-nacks and get them out of sight. Clean. Really Clean. Paint. Repair, Landscape.
C. Then sit down with your Realtor and compare your clean, freshly painted, de-cluttered home with other homes on the market and recent sales. Set a realistic price that will draw attention away from the over-priced competition.
D. List at a realistic price.
E. Wait for a buyer.
F. Go ahead and look at open houses and houses on the internet.
G. If you find your ideal price, you could make an offer if your home is not yet under contract, but there is a good chance the offer may not be accepted.
And there is no magic pill that will make buyers flock to your home, unless you have a very special, unusual home in a very desirable area. Even then, it has to be priced competitively. Maybe not 25¢, though.
Carolyn Roland, GRI CRS Patterson-Schwartz & Assoc. Inc.
Selling historic properties in Delaware and Chester County, Pennsylvania since 1987. Office located in Hockessin, DE, on the Delaware/Pennsylvania line.
Search for properties and learn about the historic scene, past and present at
The DE and PA Historic Real Estate blog
Contact Carolyn at oldhome@verizon.net Call: Direct 800-771-2332 Office 302-239-3000
You're right.. there is no magic pill that will have buyers flocking to your listing. Our best chance to find the right buyer is to market the home like crazy!
Great advice for only $.25 Carolyn. If they pay the quarter will that mean they'll actually listen?
Sometimes I feel like I am working "dirt cheap".
Nell-Yes you have to market them every which way there is!
Al-There's never a guarantee they are actually paying attention--just like little kids!
Mike-Sometimes we are cheap, but our advice should be considered dear (as in valuable ).
Carolyn,
Thanks for the post! It was great to meet you and hope we'll be able to talk more the next time you're there about historic homes and architecture and anything else we can think of. It's nice to see someone else who gets excited about old homes and the character in them.
If any of your readers do Facebook, I have a page there (www.facebook.com/pages/Newark-DE/footprint-architecture-design/315652593216). If they don't, they can visit my web site at www.footprintarch.com. Looking forward to more conversations!
Will-It was my pleasure to include you in my blog!