It’s not as bad as that! Me Thinks!
Howdy Folks, first blog into the wonderful world of Estate Agency in South Africa and in Particular, Cape Town. You wouldn’t expect an agent to be upbeat about the market in the state that we are in at the momen but there is so much that can be done on both sides of the market.
I know that there are many home owners and agents that feel like doing exactly what the picture implies. But if we don’t look at the brighter side of things then we’re in a bit of trouble. There are always things that can be done to meke the most of the situation rather than just accepting fate.
Lets first talk about some of the amazingingly crap houses that I’ve had to sit show at or some of my collegues have had to sit show.
I was due to sit at this large double story four bedroom house and was really looking forward to having a good show and hopefully sell it. As I walked in the front door I should have known that this was going to be a very, very long day indeed. The front door opens and the staircase is right in front of me. Right on the first stair is 1 lonely sock. I don’t think much of it, pick it up and go to oopen up all the windows and curtains upstairs. On the first floor landing I see a pair of longs. Pick those up. Go to the master bedroom…..absolute mess…..bed unmade, plates next to the bed, and clothes all over the place. Go into the master en-suite, really not sure what to expect. A pair of underpants in the bath, another sock on the floor and a used unlushed toilet infront of me. Now it’s too late to organize another house and show hours are about to start and I really want to sit in this house because of the size and location. That leaves only one option…..maid service A-La Agent Anonymous. Had to sweep, make beds, hide plates in the cupboards, put clothes in cupboards and mop.
Bad, but not as bad as Agent Anonymous’ colleague number 1.
He’s sitting show at a friends house. Same thing as mine, house in a real state but when he walks into the main bedroom then the fun starts. There is nothing but a mattress on the floor with a bottle of wine, a few candles and about 3 used condoms on the floor. It’s time to start show and he has clients on the way. What can you do? Well colleague No.1 did exactl what I would have done. Get the hell out of there and review your friendship very carefully indeed.
There are a good few more but then I would have to change the name of the blog to Crap Houses and Gross stories, so I better get going along with the blog.
I was at a property seminar this morning and what I saw was really uplifting. We tend to get so bogged down that we thing nothing goos is going on in the housing market but from what I saw today that is no the case. There were 4 sales that had been concluded that morning, we started at 9:30, phones were going off the hook before the obligatory “please switch off your phones” statement that seems to come before anything comences these days. THERE IS ACTIVITY OUT THERE! HOUSES ARE SELLING AND PEOPLE ARE BUYING HOUSES.
If you are selling there are a few things you can do. Once people walk through your door you are one step closer to a sale…they wouldn’t walk through the front door if there wasn’t something that didn’t attract them. But it’s inside where the deal is made or los
- You HAVE TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT YOUR SELLING PRICE. No point at all in having your house on the market for an inflated price which lets it sit on the marget and gets over exposed. Your house has to be worth what you are asking for it. If your neighbour’s hose has the same features as yours but is asking less then, obviously…..it’s a no brainer as to which house will go first.
- A well presented house makes the world of difference when a buyer comes to have a look. A favourable impression will be made on the client if they see a deat and tidy house without all the clutter and bric-a-bra (don’t know where I get these words-my gran uses these words) that makes your 3 bed house look slightly larger that a single garage with a bunch of angsty teens trying to put together a punk band.
- So it goes without saying that the garden should also be neat. You don’t have to have Keith Kirstens green fingers, just try keep it looking like a garden. Pick up all the doggie prezzies left on the fron lawn.
These are just a few of the bare basics of house showing but there is a lot more that can be done to make your house seem the most desirable house in that price range.
Okay so that’s it from me for today.
“I’ve enjoyed just about much of this as I can stand.” – Quote
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