Patience when selling a difficult property

If you’re like me, when you finally decide to put your home on the market to sell for whatever reason, you don’t imagine it will take long to sell.  I didn’t really have a choice, as divorce sometimes makes those decisions for you. So I rolled up my sleeves and set to work. I did everything right to prepare my home to sell.  I work for JLRE so I should know.  New paint, new carpet, flowers in the yard and colorful pots of flowers and a small fountain on the patio, and most importantly no clutter and clean at all times.  No easy feat, even when I did live alone with only 2 little dogs.  The things I couldn’t change were the things that made my property a challenge to sell.

First, it was a manufactured home. Even though it was a NICE home with 2×6 construction and sheetrock walls on a permanent foundation with great views of the rolling Cowley County countryside, it was a manufactured home. Secondly, it was over 30 minutes from Wichita with a mile and a half drive on an unpaved road. It was only 4 miles from Winfield Lake, which can be a plus, but to a very small group of home buyers.

It took almost a year and a half to close on my home.  To say that it was an emotional roller coaster ride would be an understatement.  The first week it was on the market, I got a “lowball” offer. I had to reject it, because it wasn’t enough to pay off the mortgages, much less, pay closing costs and commissions. 

I had several offers over the listing period, and came close to having a deal, but sometimes Buyer’s think they hold all the cards and try to take advantage of the Seller.  That’s what a good agent is for, to help you with those type of Buyers.  Eventually a couple that really loved my home, made an offer. With a lot of help from Mark we got the deal negotiated so that both parties were happy. Getting it to the closing table was another nightmare all by its self. Not because of me or the Buyer’s, but because of the lenders. My Buyer’s had good credit, but it takes agents and lenders who know how to handle financing for a rural property and a mobile home.  Not everyone does.  The Buyer’s agent and lender did not.  After the Buyer’s decided to drop that lender and move to another, my agent took the reigns to make sure that every inspection was done so that when it went to the underwriter’s it would be good to go.  And it was! It had come out of the underwriters on Friday and was set to close the next week.  Monday rolls around and wouldn’t you know, the underwriter was raided by the FBI and by Wednesday was out of business.  So the second lender handed over the loan process to a local bank and within 2 weeks we did close. Finally! And both sides left happy.

I have to commend my agent, Mark Wedman, for his enduring patience with me as I went through the painful process of divorce and selling the home I had thought I would one day retire to.  We work together on a daily basis and the prolonged process of selling my home could have put a strain on our work, but fortunately it did not, and most of the credit goes to him on that part. Hopefully, this doesn’t happen to you, but keep in mind, you chose your realtor for a reason.  If you chose the right company, then you will know that they are doing everything they can to make the sale of your home happen.

 Dana

Prepared to Sell- An Insider’s Point of View- Part 4

OK, so it’s been a while since I wrote my last blog and spring has arrived!!  Unfortunately, so have the “monsoons”.  My home is on the market and now comes the difficult job of maintaining a home that’s for sale.  Mowing over an acre has become almost another part-time job with all of the rain we have been getting, but it is really important to keep the home picturesque condition.  If you have already moved from your home but still have it on the market, don’t forget about it.  Nothing looks worse than an unkempt yard when that potential buyer comes by for a showing.  You never know when a buyer might just take a drive by before actually calling for a showing.  Yes, it’s a lot of work, especially if you now have 2 lawns to mow.  Perhaps a neighborhood kid might be interested in making a few extra bucks, so check around. 

I can’t tell you how much the flowers growing at my home really make the place a lot more cheerful and hopefully potential buyers will too.  If not, I am definitely enjoying them.

Dana

 

Prepared to Sell- An Insider’s Point of View- Part 3

Once again, weather seems to be the topic when it comes to preparing your home to sell.  I knew that I didn’t want to put my home on the market in the dead of winter, but what I didn’t count on was the delays in being able to complete the preparation of my home by Spring. 

 

I have a brand new, 12×12 storage building with brand new everything and it is a great asset towards selling my home.  I also have another 12×12 storage building/workshop that is not so new and although it is in good condition, it needs fresh paint. 

 

Between the rain, snow, sleet and frigid temperatures, I haven’t been able to get the painting done and this has added to my stress levels.  I am like most other people and are ready for Spring and an end to this cold weather.  So I am going to put my optimist hat on and hope the sun keeps shining and that all will go as close to planned as possible.

  

Dana

Prepared to Sell- An Insider’s Point of View

People have to sell their homes for many reasons.  Some good reasons: promotions, relocations and expanding families. Others not so good: divorce, loss of job, demotions, and relocation (yes this can fall under both categories). Regardless of the reason, there is one common thread to selling your home.  Making it “Sellable”. 

I will now be joining our many past and present clients in preparing my home to sell.  Fortunately for me, Jeff Lange Real Estate specializes in selling country properties, because that is exactly what I am selling.  I am not an agent, but have worked as the office manager and assistant to the agents for 8 years.  I know that if anyone can sell my home, they can.  I also know that marketing and great salespeople can only go so far. Another BIG factor is up to me.  How much time, money and elbow grease do I want to spend to sell my house?  Well, the answer is easy to me, whatever it takes to help ensure the success of selling my home. 

I am what is referred to as a “highly motivated Seller”, but that doesn’t mean that I am willing to take less than what my home is worth.  No sir, I expect to get every penny that my home is worth.  What it does mean is that I will be rolling up my sleeves, packing away the clutter, doing any maintenance, painting and yard work etc to bring top dollar for my home.  One of my favorite shows on HGTV lately is, “Designed to Sell”.  Too bad I can’t get their team out to my home to help me out.  The $2000 wouldn’t hurt either. Oh well, I will have manage with out them. Over the next few weeks I will be sharing my experiences in preparing and putting my home on the market.  Hopefully it will give you some insight and help you with any decisions that you may be making regarding the sale of your home in the upcoming months.     

Dana