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Best Approach...
We've had our house listed since mid May this year. We listed it for about 6 months or so last year w/ very little showings. This year we have had more showings, but not nearly as many as I feel like we should have. Our house is priced very competitively and compared to the comps we are either below or right in line. Our REA has been dealing with my family for over 25 years. This year and last I feel like he has gotten super lazy about doing anything to help drum up interest. I feel like if we could get more showings, that would lead to more feedback, and H and I could figure out what (if anything) we should/could do to help the place sell. We have everything going for us, yet our REA just keeps blaming the "slow market". I realize its slow, but there has to be something done to put more interest in our place. H & I want to re-list with someone else, but I'm not sure how to go about this. Our listing w/ him doesn't expire until November 30th this year but I don't want to wait that long to try and list it with someone else that could help us sell the place. I keep going back and forth on whether to just wait it out or try to do something proactive. If we wait it out w/ our current REA, we will re-list next Spring w/ a new agent once we have met with a few.
I really need to know what to do and how to approach him...any help would be appreciated. TIA!
Re: Best Approach...
So...what else do you want the REA to do? Do you really think another agent will do more than post it on the MLS? Sorry but this annoys me. Most of the time your house isn't selling because of the house. HOWEVER, the REA IS in control of the paragraph and pictures. Review these and see it the paragraph is flattering for your home. Do the pictures feature your home and represent it well?
Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of crappy REAs that do this part-time for extra money...these agents should truly jump ship and go sell Avon/Tupperware/etc. But if your REA couldn't really do anything different than another agent, it might not be worth ruining the relationship and, trust me, you switching will do this.
How does your house show? Is the exterior neat, grass & yard well groomed and attractive, welcoming entry, all repairs done?
Is the interior clean, neat, clutter free, personal items packed away, closets & cupboards 1/2 full, neutral paint colors, removed some furnishings so looks more spacious, all repairs done?
Is the house the kind that people want (# bedrooms, bathrooms, layout, location)
How many other similar homes are on the market and how do they compare in quality, features, location, price
What is the average time listed before sale
Everyone loves their own home, however this is a business transaction and everyone has their own priorities and what they are looking for. So WHY should they buy YOUR house? You need to make it stand out --be the best in some way. (Why are you selling - that issue may be what is keeping it from selling ------ tooo small? Remove more items to make it appear larger - have it staged. etc.
Also the economy does play a role - more people are paying down debt rather than looking for more (home ownership). Loans are more difficult to obtain with higher lending standarrds and higher down payment requirements.
If you post the link to your MLS listing we can give advice on what might be changed to make your home more desirable.
More - how old are the comps? You want RECENT - no more than 3 months time. Have you lowered your price? I would make sure you are listed at a low end of the comps.
Little things can make a big difference. Small repairs not done can kill a sale.