RE: [gardeners] Rosemary's house
Rosemary Carlson (gardeners@globalgarden.com)
Sun, 04 Oct 1998 18:10:38 -0400
Well, OK. Today was open house. I, of course, was not here - so I'm rather
clueless as to what happened. 10-15 different groups of people came through
- 2 of which were neighbors (which makes me mad - nosy!). However, my
neighbors (whose house is also up for sale) just sold their house for $4K
less than they should have because they had to sell quick. This, obviously,
is not good news for me. So, I lowered my price by $2K - and the agent
feels quite confident an offer will be forthcoming at this price relatively
soon. I hope he's right - he knows that I'm the wrong person to try to
"pacify" - so, chances are, he truly feels like this or he wouldn't say so.
:) :)
At any rate, I don't even feel like this is MY house anymore. Jeez. I do
believe that selling this house is one of the most stressful things I've
ever done! (except divorce!).
Here's the funny story. My neighbors sold their house (we're in a yuppie
neighborhood and you'll see why this is funny if you read on!) cheaply to a
guy who wanted a garage around back in the basement (their's is, mine is in
the front). Supposedly, garages around back and in the basement aren't as
desirable as front-facing garages...so the realtor (my neighbors and I have
the same realtor) thought my house would sell first. Want to know WHY this
guy (a single guy) wanted the neighbor's house with the garage in the back?
Because he works on cars....and wants to hide them around back. :) :) :) :)
I'm glad I'm moving! :)
At any rate, getting READY for an open house is hell on earth. Especially
for us packrats. However, NOW the house is ready and I hope I can KEEP it
ready - in showable condition - until it sells. The one thing I CAN'T do is
be gone when possible buyers come through. (I wish I could!) Since my
mother is an invalid and lives with me, SHE can't be gone - so I can't be
gone. But, I DO make myself scarce and I do NOT go through the house with
the potential buyers. I go to the back patio with my dogs - and we sit
there while people are here. Hope it doesn't get real cold soon! :)
So, that's the next chapter of the saga of the trials and tribulations (of
which there are many) of selling a house........I wish it on NO ONE. :)
Once I DO sell this house and move to my new house, I SWEAR I will never
move again. NEVER.
At this point, I'm sure all of YOU wish I'd sell my house so I'd quit
whining and complaining! :) But, thanks for your support! It's helped!
Rosemary in Lexington, KY (not for long, I hope)
zone 6a
At 12:22 PM 10/4/98 -0400, you wrote:
>She might be a Martha stewart role model but I can tell you
> she would be a real estate agents dream.<VBG>
>
> I am so tired of people saying that THAT time isn't convenient. . .
>and no,you can't have the house on agent open house. . . and then
>have the nerve to complain about the lack of showings and why isn't
>his house selling!!!
>
>I have a brochure that I hand to people as I list their house that
>mentions many of Pat's suggestions. My only suggestion from her
>list is I like the Vendor to leave the house. . . have the cookies and
>the candies sitting out. . . .but don't be there. Purchasers are not
>company and lots of them feel uncomfortable being in your house
>anyway and looking in your closets (that's why WE open the doors
>to point out the size, organizer, whatever). If they come back for a
>second showing then you or your agent could ask if they would like
>you to be there. (Usually to answer questions. . . re kids in the
>neighbourhood, etc)
>
>The old "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression"
>really applies and it starts as they drive up to the house.
>
>Hope Rosemary has a good Open House today.
>
>Jill Fyffe
>c21
>
>> This proves it, folks. MaPat is Martha Stewart's role model <bg>
>>
>> Catharine (ducking from MaPat)
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: owner-gardeners@globalgarden.com
>> [mailto:owner-gardeners@globalgarden.com] On Behalf Of asidv@fbg.net
>> Sent: Saturday, October 03, 1998 12:01 PM
>> To: gardeners@globalgarden.com
>> Subject: [gardeners] Rosemary's house
>>
>> It is an old formula, but having sold houses using it -- and for my
>> price -- consider doing the following -- keeping in mind that you
>> are making a "stage setting" for a lifestyle the buyer hopes to
>> duplicate. (AND that in love, war and real estate, image is often
>> more important than full disclosure.)
>>
>> a. Buy a bunch of freezer bread dough. Divide into small hunks.
>> b. When a shopper is coming, pop one of those hunks in the oven to
>> create the scent of "home."
>> c. Never draw attention to your garden. If asked about it, say, "Oh,
>> that? I do have a junior high school boy who comes by once in a while
>> to mow. Actually, it takes care of itself."
>> d. Have a pot or two (NO MORE) of a somewhat exotic something
>> by the front door. Say to shopper, "Wasn't it nice of the last person
>etc
>
>