A New Way to Sell the Property

It’s not really new.  Some call it a 3 day sale, a 5 day sale, a 9 day sale, I’ve even heard a 36 hour sale.  I’m not sure when they start the clock ticking.  The time they start marketing it maybe?

This sale is all about marketing.  I’m having actually a two day sale on a house worth a lot more than $229,000 but it this market I’ll be happy with $200,000.

It has marble floors, ceramic floors, beautiful hardwood floors. Stainless steel appliances in the kitchen, 5 bedrooms with a first floor master, a full basement, a new deck off the back, a two car garage, all in a cul-de-sac in a quiet neighborhood. 

I created postcards to leave with all the merchants in the area, the neighbors to mail to their friends, flyers to put on the mail boxes (I said ON not in)  to let hopefully everybody know this sale is happening and the house will be sold on Sunday night to the highest bidder.

I’ve waited for offers.  I’ve got it on websites and the MLS.  Not many lookers.  It the economy, it’s the weather, it’s the time of year.  So I have to create a big hulabaloo so people know it is happening and come inside and see this beautiful house.  I’m starting the bidding at $109,500.

The neighbors hate that price.  If that’s all my house sells for it will bring down the value of their houses when it’s time for them to sell.  The short sale price I bought this house for is already hurting one neighbor trying to get a home equity loan.  With my house next door that sold for $103,000 (because of a big crack in the basement wall that cost $20,000 to fix) his lender won’t give him an additional loan on his house.  I have to sell for more.

That’s one of the reasons why I gave the neighbors post cards.  They want somebody in there to pay a lot for my house…for their own sake!

So the values of short sale and REO houses around you does hurt the current neighborhoods. 

I have a tenant who is helping me market.  She’s getting the baloons, passing out flyers, doing a last minute cleaning on the house.  She’s being a great help.

And I’m staging the house.  Toys and soap bubbles in the kids rooms, flowers and towels and soap and throw rugs in the baths and kitchen, cook books, even a  swing on the front porch.

A wicker basket with fruit, items that make the house feel warm, lived in and wouldn’t you like to live here sort of feeling.  And I forgot the best part.  A place setting in the kitchen for two.  Two wine glasses, a bottle of wine for a romantic dinner for two after buying the house. 

We are also putting in a laptop computer. 

Once people get inside, they WILL fall in love!  I just have to get them inside.

So, if you’re interested in a beautiful 5 bedroom, 3.5 bath house with plenty of play space, office space and living space – stop by Saturday or Sunday, 10a – 5pm.  We’ll be taking bids  and you are welcome to place one!

A couple other creative things I’m doing is having a notebook with a color print out of all our short sale houses.  We’ll be creating a buyers list!

I’ll also be pushing my www.creditrecovery.shortsalequeen.com  website to improve your credit score so more people can buy more of my houses. 

I’m also having a mortgage broker there for a few hours each day to help people understand the payment amounts and check their credit for approval.

I hope I’ve thought of everything!

Will I see you Saturday?

Deb McMillan
Check the house out here:     www.shortsalecloser.com