I’m listing a midtown Tulsa home for sale that didn’t sell the first six months it was on the market, and the Seller wants to try a fresh approach – a new Realtor.
Now, I assumed that the Seller had been living in her home for sale, because the showing instructions said to “call the Listing Realtor for access,” – there was no keybox. Realtors HATE to bother meeting the Listing Realtor and don’t expect to in the less than $200,000 price range quite frankly. If scheduling several homes to show, it’s just a bother to work out a time conducive to all parties. Needless to say, initially I thought that the showing instructions were the major cause of this home not selling.
Then I met the Seller at her home and am surprised to find that it’s vacant. She in fact, purchased a new home, moved her furnishings, then put her home on the market. So it was vacant with no furnishings five of the six months on the market.
The Seller was in a bit of a hurry that day, so we agreed to wait until her listing expired the following week before we would discuss and do paperwork.
Her home was not overpriced, but it was not presented well. I asked if she would consider painting the sundial on the dining room ceiling. No, she wouldn’t consider that, as she was certain someone would like it. I asked if she would consider removing the thatched ceiling in the kitchen, and she would not do that either. She ruined the plaster ceilings when removing ceiling tiles and installing the thatched décor was less expensive than sheet rock – and she certainly didn’t want to spend any money on a home she didn’t even live in anymore.
I asked if she would pay for some staging, and she would not – she had been told by numerous Realtors that vacant homes sold better. I asked if she would paint the puke green bedroom a neutral color, and she did agree to do that – she could get to that in the next few weeks. I completed the paperwork and went home wondering, “do I even WANT this listing?”
It’s in a great area of midtown Tulsa, and this home has potential. But the Seller was not agreeable to do much of anything I asked that might help sell this home. I ultimately decided to take the listing and try to do what I could on my own to sell it.
So, I invested money in staging this home, and it looks 110% better. My stager, Gail Shallcross, understood my dilemma and gave me a great price break – just this once. I promised her a Shutterfly book of before and after photos that she could use as a promotional item – and a testimonial to how staging a vacant home helps sell. Her company is Staging Tulsa – and I highly recommend her.
Selling your midtown Tulsa home for sale is TEAMWORK, and the home Seller needs to participate in the process and put forth efforts also. When this home DOES sell, which I believe it will, I’ll let you know if the Seller finally decided to contribute to the home staging costs.
If you are interested in selling your midtown Tulsa home, please do give me a call! 918-852-5036
Content written and published by Lori Cain.
