We've had 2 realtors over to give us their thoughts on the house. The first was a new realtor who suggested we replace the kitchen appliances with stainless steel, replace the counter tops (kitchen, and both upstairs bathrooms) with either granite or something comparable, and refinish the hardwood floors. We both liked him and he seemed like he would be anxious to sell our house. However, he's never listed a home in Hidden Springs.
The second was our last realtor. I like him because he knows Hidden Springs. He was one of the original realtors up here. But, our house didn't sell last year. He also knows our finances and suggested we didn't need to replace those items (although if he thought we could afford it, I'm sure he would think it would be a good idea).
They both told us that things with buyers have changed immensly. Buyers don't want to negotiate any more in order to fix things the way they want them, like counter tops, appliances, etc. If they don't like those things, they'll just go down the road and find something for the same price with the nicer appliances and counters. So, it looks like if we want to sell, we're going to have to make some changes.
Tonight we'll have our third and final realtor here. It will be interesting to see what she has to say. We're determined to sell this year. Both realtors said we need to get the house on the market by February. There's only 18 houses on the market in Hidden Springs right now and that includes the short sales and foreclosures. That's unheard of here. When we had it on the market last summer, there were usually about 35 homes available. I'd list it tomorrow if we were ready!
So, we begin our journey again. Can't wait to build our new home, whatever it may be.
Not that you asked for advice (which has certainly never stopped me before) but I'd go with a different realtor, for sure. Time to shake things up a bit. And yes, you should bite the bullet and make the changes. I would think 99.9% of the houses up there have granite and stainless, which buyers insist on. You don't want another "season" to go by without selling.
ReplyDeleteThis is going to be your year, I just know it!
I kind of agree with Kate here...gotta spend money to make money. I thought you guys re-did your counter tops though. So you wouldn't reccomend that product? Do what you need to do...and can afford to do, because we all know you need to get onto your new property!
ReplyDeleteKate, don't you just love this whole blogging idea?????
ReplyDeleteYes Kate, remember, I think YOU have a blog! Here is a few weeks we'll all forget about your mange haircut, where if you had posted on your blog about it, we'd remember it forever!
ReplyDeleteand now you're getting estimates. Everything you do brings you just that much closer to ---selling----which is ---winning !
ReplyDeleteHi there!! I have a real estate agent in Eagle that learned of several houses in Hidden Springs about to be listed- yours must be one of them! Could you email pics to me? I am coming out from Oregon in a couple of weeks for a house tour :) andrichvictoria@yahoo.com. I love your blog btw- have been reading it since we decided on HS. I'd probably have more fun moving with you to the 14 acres!!!!!
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