JACK

Hi Michelle:

You are not going to like the answer - You are overpriced. Your option here is to be patient or take a proactive approach and lower your price to at least the average sold which is around $164,500. If you choose to lower the price, I would ask your agent to do a re-list.

Also, what makes your unit better than others on the market in your area? There are at least 18 w/in a 1 mile radius. If you're priced higher because yours has amenities the others don't then you and your agent need to spell out for buyers.

Finally, do your very best to accept all showings -- most of the time you don't get a chance to re-schedule that showing and keep your home PERFECT every day! Best of luck to you. - Thu Aug 14 2008, 08:32

FIRST ANSWER
Hi Erik: My first hope is that you are represented by a REALTOR. If you are, these are all questions s/he can answer for you, but if not, here is a short answer to your complex question. MAKE AN OFFER - it is not for you to decide what the Seller will or will not accept. Assuming the Sellers of the townhome are being represented by a REALTOR, their agent should guide them as to what is an acceptable margin. If they don't like your offer they can always COUNTER to keep the deal going and make it a win-win for everyone. Make the offer -- you never know what people will accept. Good luck! - Wed Aug 13 2008, 10:58

Thanks Julie -- I see it is in Plymouth, MA which is a market I don't know, but can certainly give my perspective based on what I see. Is a very nice house, but the landscaping in front could be changed to enhance the features of the house - the large shrubs don't do much, put flower boxes on the lower half of the windows. Bedroom #2 - take out one of the beds if you can - two twin beds make it look too crowded. Lower level - pack mostly everything and leave the essentials furniture, tv. I know Sellers get tired of us saying how PERFECT your house needs to be, but the competition is fierce out there and you need to be priced below market or show Buyers why your home is worth MORE! The home has some great features from what I see, such as the wood floors, great kitchen, nice yard, etc.

Do your very best to be ready for showings at a moment's notice. Most of the time we schedule about 8 homes to see and if one of them is not available when we request it, I rarely ever get a chance to show it again. Also - be patient and let EVERYONE you know that you're selling the home. The answers can go on here as you can see. Best of luck to you! - Mon Aug 11 2008, 11:23

Hi Ethan: I am not sure how the agents that have answered this questions found the home. MLS 70793313 comes up as invalid on our mls system. Our listings are a 7-digit number starting w/ a 3. That is of course if you are in Plymouth, MN. Please confirm if that is true and let us know your MLS number so we can give you ideas. I don't know if you and/or your agent are aware that Plymouth, MN was recently voted as the #1 Best Small City to Live in America -- pretty cool and a tool that can be used to market your home -- here is the link:
http://finance.yahoo.com/real-estate/article/105381/America'… - Mon Aug 11 2008, 07:40

Hi Meg:

Don't give up and ask your agent and lender to continue working on getting this done for you. Are you a first time home buyer? Are you buying in Minneapolis?

There are programs and money out there to help – your lender and real estate agent should continue working to get you into the home, but timing is critical. Don’t give up – you have a team on your side – is in everyone’s best interest to see this go through…

Warmest regards!

Here are some of the many links that may be of help right now…

City Living (Minneapolis / St. Paul only)
http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/cped/city_living.asp

Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
http://www.mnhousing.gov/index.aspx

Acorn Housing
http://acornhousing.org/TEXT/homebuying1.php

American Dream
http://www.americandreamdownpaymentassistance.com

NACA
http://www.naca.com/index.jsp

Nehemiah Corporation
http://www.nehemiahcorp.org/ - Thu Jul 31 2008, 09:14

Hi Sammy - I hope you find the real estate agent and/or Realtor that restores your faith in our profession. Yes, I agree with you, a lot of us spend a lot of time and money on marketing materials, but for some sellers that is what they want to see.

We tailor our marketing plan/presentation according to our client's need. Some may prefer pictures and charts, others may prefer data - most of the time our clients are referrals and we may not know which style suits them best.

St. Louis Park is one of the better markets in the metro area. A lot of buyers like the school system, the easy access to highways, the parks, and entertainment options it offers. Your location and condition of home will determine the price.

Where I see the challenge w/ most homes is that Buyers have higher expectations now – for example, when we bought our first home - we bought it for its potential and we remodeled it to our liking (we did the work and we paid for it). Many buyers today want it all done before they move in and they want it for LESS. They are the DRIVERS right now. One of the best services an agent can offer its client (buyer or seller) is not really seen until an offer is on the table – it is up to the agent to work with the offer to ensure a win-win.

Most of us in the business believe (contrary to the media's take of "the sky is falling" - they sell sensationalism) that bottom has hit and we are slowly climbing back up.

I know you will find the person that you can trust will do a great job in meeting your needs. These days it takes patience and an agent that believes in your home and will do their very best to market the home so it gets sold in the fastest time, for the most money, with the least hassles!

Best of luck to you Sammy! - Thu Jul 31 2008, 08:26