J R's right: The pictures absolutely, positively need to be replaced with good ones. I'm sure Gina's correct that it's a great house. But that's not apparent from either the pictures or the actual listing.

Sat May 3 2008, 16:47

Jane,

Our first question to you is -- do you think your realtor is doing a good job? If you really think so, you probably wouldn't have asked your question. Did you interview a few realtors before listing your home?
Did you choose the one with the lowest fee? That's probably pennywise and pound foolish. That being said, you have a very unique home and if one of our buyers has an interest in viewing it, we would be pleased to show it.

Sat May 3 2008, 16:33

If you really want to sell it in today’s market especially you really may want to list it with a PROFESSIONAL realtor, finding a buyer is easy keeping the deal together through the whole process is the hard part. You also want to make sure whomever is buying your home is qualified you don't want to find out 3 months later the cant get a mortgage plain and simple the reason why people try you sell there home on there own is they want to SAVE THE COMISSION right? The reason why people look for sale buy owners is they want a BARGAIN they expect the seller to knock off more on the price of the home because you are not paying a commission. So that is something you need to think about.

Sun Apr 27 2008, 13:53

I don't blame any seller for giving consideration to selling on their own or w/ a flat fee agency. The challenge is that even if you sell, you don't know if you sold for highest and best.

I will tell you that marketing times for historic homes are longer, and it generally takes more visitors through your home to effect a sale. Particularly for historic homes, I recommend a full service approach. It requires extra niche marketing, not reduced marketing.

You can try it a few more weeks on your own....but if you don't have something by mid May, I would recommend that you move into a full service arena.

Also, your buyer might not come from the "local" area. The buyer might, but I would not limit marketing to only local geography. When reviewing marketing plans, look for comprehensive online presence, niche marketing, and broad coverage.


Deborah

Sun Apr 27 2008, 13:07

i looked at the photos, too. If it is true and you have listed with a flat fee realtor, you see what you get: nothing really. Photos that look as if you took them yourself (crooked, blurry), and asking for buyers on Trulia. How did you arrive at your asking price, and what was your reason for going with a flat fee realtor?

Sun Apr 27 2008, 08:26

Hi Jane.

I met your husband Kevin last week at your open house. It is a great house filled with lots of original charm and character. Confirming my email to Kevin, I did see you went with a flat fee company to get you listed on the MLS to increase your exposure. I'll be in touch! Best of luck to you!

Gina Chirico, Sales Associate
Prudential NJ Properties
Caldwell
973-228-1000 ext 132
973-715-1158 cell
GinaChirico@PruNewJersey.com

Sun Apr 27 2008, 08:00

Jane,

I am a REALTOR located in Caldwell on Bloomfield Ave. Prudential NJ Porperrties, the company I am affiliated with, can evaluate your home & market it properly. Please contact me and view my website listed below. I am sure you will find us as your best bet.

Sun Apr 27 2008, 06:47

Hi Jane,

Looks like a beautiful house (it's on GSMLS). However, one word of advice: pictures. The pictures are not good. The front picture looks a little bit, er, modified? I notice a blurriness on the left side that looks like a color correction gone a little astray. You also shot from too far away. To get the whole house in the frame, you had to include the street and curb. You need to shoot this house from much closer to see the detail, get rid of the street, and make it look larger in the process.

Also the interior pictures make the rooms look tiny and cramped. This is the type of home that needs to be shot with a 16mm lens. I can't get any feel at all for the woodwork or charm. I know it's there, but it is not being showcased. The Living Room shot is a dark blur, and there is no kitchen picture at all. The front and the kitchen are key shots to generate interest in viewings, you do not have these working for you in your listing.

I am swamped right now, or I'd offer to come and re-shoot. However, you do need to have this home re-photographed. The real estate market has become totally national now. Your photos are very important, and have to look good even as thumbnails nowadays. Your next buyer may be an old home buff transferring in from St. Louis. Will he want to come and see your house based on the pictures?

-Marc

Sun Apr 27 2008, 05:40

Sharon is right - a local Realtor is your best bet in getting this sold. They can also market your home on Trulia, and other sights frequented by comsumers. Good luck!

Sat Apr 26 2008, 22:56

Dear Jane,
That is not my area, but I hope you contacted a Realtor that specializes in antique houses. They will really be able to extoll the virtues of your house to the fullest extent. They should also have a network of buyers that are interested in period homes.
It sounds lovely, good luck with it all.

Sharon Kozinn

Sat Apr 26 2008, 20:00