Columbia SC Real Estate, Columbia South Carolina Real Estate Blog

Everyone has seen the hit fashion show “What Not to Wear” on TLC.  If you havn’t, check it out.  It is a great show.

The premise of the show is that they find someone who dresses horribly.  Whether in their job they do not dress professional, in their daily life they dress for a different age group than they are a member of, or just in general, they do not dress to flatter themselves.  The 2 hosts help them out, show them how to dress in clothes they feel comfortable in, and help them lead a better, more productive life.

I would love to do this for a homeowner in the Columbia SC Real Estate Market.  Not on their clothes, but on what they are doing to deter sales.

The largest problem I see, and do not take this personally, is that the sellers want to be home when their agent, or another agent, is showing their home.  Why would you want to be home?  Are you not paying a Realtor in part for the convenience of this…that is why there is a lock box there.

People are great in the general Columbia SC Real Estate Market.  We are blessed with great people.  Be honest though, most people have very different tastes.  When you, the owner, is home…the potential buyers are unable to make honest comments, tell their true feelings, or interact how they would like in your house.  We want them to be at ease and dead honest.  Otherwise, we do not know their fears and problems.

Along the same lines is having your kids at home when the house is being shown.  Sometimes this is unable to be helped, but most of the times, you can get them out for 30 minutes.  Kids do not understand.  Whether it is the 13 year old just getting home from school, throwing his book bag on the floor, eating some cereal, then playing video games….all the way to the toddlers who mess their diaper and you are sitting there, in all your babies’ glory, changing their dirty diaper in front of a potential buyer.  Neither are good.

The next most important thing is staging.  I care about you and your family…but the potential buyer doesn’t.  Take down the baby pictures of the children, the huge portrait of Grandma on the wall above the oversized piano (which isn’t in tune…yes I have had buyers check this before).  No offense, but I do not want to know your religious persuasion.  Take down anything which might deter a buyer.

Do not play music.  There is a Realtor in town famous for putting on Christmas music…in the middle of the summer.  I wish it was cooler here, but it isn’t.  And I am not in the Christmas spirit…neither are my buyers.  Quiet is great.  A little white noise is even better (perhaps an air purifier on low).

I love dogs and cats.  I have several…and multiple other animals.  I do not want to know you have them.  Change that litter box, clean up those paw prints.

Do not take an offer personally.  Realize, no matter how hard it is, this is a business transaction.  These people want to get the best price, so do you.  Understand you must meet in the middle.  On the same note:

PRICE YOUR HOUSE CORRECTLY!  If the Realtor shows comparable properties are selling at $150,000, list at $139,000.  Get to the bottom of the market, and whatever you do, don’t you dare list for $151,000.  You do want your house to sell…right?

If all of the above seems a bit on the rough side…that is because it is.  I am being dead honest because I want what is best for you: TO SELL YOUR HOUSE!

Homes in the Columbia SC Real Estate Market are taking longer to sell.  Armed with some of these tips might help you sell sooner and for MORE MONEY.  That is what everyone wants.