D,
I agree with what all the previous responders have said, but Barbara is write your home is competeing against new construction both in size and price, suggest your Realtor do a Realtor tour to get advise from other agents. Are you even getting showings to get feedback on? With all of these things considered it does fall down to Price, Condition, and Location in that order. No one will buy a home, car or anything for that matter that they can get cheaper and newer; think about it would you?

Hi! I'm Barbara Madaras with Coldwell Banker Legacy here in the Ablq Area. One of the things your home is facing is competition from new construction. The only new homes being built are being built in Rio Rancho - that's the only place we have land! And many of the homes being built in your range of square footage so you are actually getting more competition than, say, a smaller home. THINK NEW! Think about how your home could be altered to look and feel more like a "model" home - and don't forget the exterior! Your agent may advertise "well" but exactly what are they advertising and where? There are at least 9 - 11 websites where they should be advertising EVERY week (some of them require entry every week!). Print - if you are talking newspaper ads, your agent is living in the 80's! What about video? Is your agent using that? And I mean video on EVERY website! What about electronic information versus paper flyers? I'd be happy to give you some pointers on how to prompt your agent to do better. They are your agent but a "little help from a friend" just might get you in front of that one buyer out there who wants YOUR home! If you do switch agents, make sure you ask all those questions up front. If you make a switch, you want to do it for all the right reasons! AND make sure you agent gives you AUTOMATED feedback EVERY time your house is showed - automated so that your agent can't filter the feedback so as not to "hurt your feelings"! You are selling an asset and you need the most honest MARKET FEEDBACK you can get - not your agent's kind and thoughtful words! The best of luck - patience is truly a virtue right now in Rio Rancho!

Dear Home Seller
John Martinez here in Albuquerque with Coldwell Banker Legacy Realtors the #1 real estate sales organization in this region. Exceptional exposure to the market is a must in this slower environment, but Price, Location & Condition are really the main factors in getting a home sold. Your agent should counsel you on numerous improvements to interior staging plus curb appeal and landscaping issues. I always tell sellers to go outside and pretend you are going to re-buy your home and then ask yourself what is good or bad about your home. All the normal stuff like decluttering all areas, detailed cleaning,wash all windows, possible paint, shampooing carpets, using Wood Sheen (buy at WalMart) to re-shine & envigorate your cabinet package, address deferred maintenance, etc., etc. There are so many nice properties now that your buyers must fall in love with that home the 1st time through because I guarantee they will not return a 2nd time unless it is just a really nice property. If the location is marginal then this can't be helped. All the more reason to make the house sparkle. Price is always an issue so try to price your home below your competition. I hope this helps some and best of luck to you!
Sincerely, John P. Martinez

Your realtor should be giving you feedback from the potential buyers/agents touring your home. This is invaluable information about how your house is being perceived (good and bad) by those you are marketing to. You should address these concerns with the realtor.

I am so happy that the previous person (Bg) who answered this question "gets it." Great answer! As a discount flat-fee broker, I have been on a quest to educate Owners about selling their property in the most cost effective manner. And to D, the Seller, I wish you all the best luck in this "Buyer's Market." Remember the 4 P's: Price, Product, Promotion, Placement. And try not to spend too much in the wrong places in your marketing campaign. Best Regard, Ken Skillern

D:
I am selling one of my properties too. I have used my agent for years to buy and to sell.
If your agent is speding their own money to advertise, they want to sell as much or more than you do.

As a seller, ask yourself 2 questions 1) "is my property priced to sell", or priced at what everyone else is asking, or worse, at the highest recommended asking price, or even worse, at what "I want to get". If you are not priced to capture the attention of buyer at a price to sell, you are shooting yourself in the foot.
2) "am I paying my agent full commission or cut rate". If you are paying a cut rate, and your agent is still advertising like you say, you should count your blessings. If you are paying full commission or higher, then an occasional update email from your agent is not out of the question.
Many sellers forget that when they hire an agent to sell their house, they are hiring them to advertise, to advise in negotiations, to check the contract for technical information that may be detrimental, to handle the day by day management of a signed contract heading to the deal closing, to have the ability to see any potential pit falls and problems, to know how to get the little problems resolved so things go smoothly.

I have bought and sold many properties over the years, the "feedback" of a buyer or an agent representing a buyer is meaningless. Am I going to put in hardwood floors because one looker does not like my new carpet, no. Do I care if the looker went on because my house was not for them, no, If I have priced right, MY buyer will be there.

Too many sellers stress about such unimportant things. As a seller myself, if you price right for what is happening in the market so your asking price is noticed by real buyers, If you have a strong agent with experience handling your real estate business, If you make the property you are trying to sell easily accessible (like using the lockbox system the agents have). You will know that the property you are trying to sell will be sold, and sooner rather than later.

Too many people overprice on their asking price and the property they are trying to sell gets lost in the masses of other properties for sale.

Hi D,

Definitely sounds like some communication issues between you and your Realtor. My suggestion would be to voice your concerns to her first; maybe she is not aware of the way you feel and after a quick nudge would be more proactive in providing feedback.

You say the home is advertised well, have you had many showings? Has your Realtor showed you what other comparable homes have been showing in your area?

Are other houses selling in your area, ask her to provide you with recent sales in order to make sure your price is still inline with market. Ask her for avg days on market. Communication is key, ask her whats going on? Reinterview her if you will.

Good Luck