USA- Selling our house - Feedback Template

videsh · Post by **videsh** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 8:28 am

We have listed our house for sale, it has been in the market for close to 60 days and we have had close to 30 showings...we have not had any offers yet...we are very disappointed with our agent as he has not been following up with any of the Buyers/Buyer Agents....is there an email format/template we can use to send this to these Buyers for feedback after seeing the house...when should we send this email (2 or 3 days after they see the property)...any advise would be appreciated.......

Looking forward to your feedback....

Thanks
Videsh

RRS · Post by **RRS** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 9:29 am

I don't know where you live. But if it's east coast and midwest region, keep your hopes up as it's only mid march and usually it takes arrival of April for the RE market to heat up in these cold regions. Except Bay Area, I have been told and experienced that RE market is very slow in the months from October-April.

Don't rely on agent's showings alone. Do marketing on your own through your circle of friends/families (like postings in Temple/Indian Groceries etc). When you have showings, collect the E-mail contacts and ping them to see if there is any interest to move forward.

ycl1688 · Post by **ycl1688** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 5:51 pm

try zillow.com, if you can list after the contract with realtor is expired.

Desi · Post by **Desi** » Sun Mar 18, 2007 11:54 pm

The last time I sold a house was long time back, so what I say below, perhaps I could be wrong.

30 showings and no bite? Would this not suggest either the price is too high or something else glaringly wrong. Something does not sound right to me. Am I missing something?

videsh · Post by **videsh** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 5:46 am

Yes we feel the same, there are houses in the subdivision which does not have any or very few showings, that is one of the reasons why I would like to get feedback from the buyers/agents directly instead of relying on our agent....we need to convert these showings as an offer...we have reduced the price considerably......feel that our agent is not doing enough to see what are the expectations from the buyer, any problems/short comings in the house which can be rectified....

puneri_punter · Post by **puneri_punter** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 7:12 pm

Videsh,

Please don't misunderstand my comments. I do not wish to insult or demean anyone.

Because of our spicy cooking, a lot of Desi houses have a distinctive smell. This is even more pronounced in winter when all the doors and windows are closed

When you first enter the house, you register the smell either consciously or subconsciously. This creates a lasting impression.

When a buyer walks into your house and does not like the smell, he will not like the house even though it is otherwise spcik and span.

Ask you non-desi friends for an opinion and then take corrective actions (deoderize carpet, spary room de-oderizers, etc.) Don't use perfume it only masks the odor.

If you live in Northern NJ, I know a very good realtor from Coldwell banker. Will be happy to recommend.

Best of luck.

realentity · Post by **realentity** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:36 pm

totally agree with puneri_punter. But then whats the solution.? even after carpet, spary room de-oderizers, etc. the family will continue to cook food.. so the odors will keep coming back. Is it a good idea to move into an apartment, clean out the house listed for sale, put balloons and signboards outside to attract buyers?

ycl1688 · Post by **ycl1688** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:47 pm

perhaps to overcome the spicy smell is to bake some cake in the oven,
prior to showing.:emwink:

Vel · Post by **Vel** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:15 pm

I remember what a friend of mine was doing to avoid odour while the house was put on sale.
They reduced their spicy cooking and even cooked few items in their patio and not in the kitchen... think they used a propane stove for that. They switched to low-odour items like pasta, etc.
It helped and their house was sold fast.
It's a tough effort but it paid for them.

puneri_punter · Post by **puneri_punter** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:16 pm

realentity;13911totally agree with puneri_punter. But then whats the solution.? even after carpet, spary room de-oderizers, etc. the family will continue to cook food.. so the odors will keep coming back. Is it a good idea to move into an apartment, clean out the house listed for sale, put balloons and signboards outside to attract buyers?[/quote]

For immediate short term couple of things I have tried and have worked.
1. While cooking close the doors to all the other rooms.
2. keep the kitchen window open and put a window fan in it. You get it in Homedepot/Lowes for less than $50.
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=9203-48819-FW23A4S
3. Don't leave any food uncovered.

For long term.
1. Install Hardwood Floors.
2. Get a exhaust fan installed over the cooking range. This is not the same as the Hood Fan. Exhaust fan throws the air out of the house.