A while back I saw on television show with doctors giving advice on weight loss. They said that yes, some people are genetically predisposed to being overweight and a large part of it is heredity. But, they said, that is not an excuse to be overweight, it just means you have to work harder.
Hmmm...
Kind of like selling a house in a tough market-- it's not that it can't be done, you just have to work harder. Yes, it may be more tough-- but that does not mean it cannot be done!
So what does working harder to get a house sold mean?
- Be Committed: Be serious about selling your house. I mean, seriously serious. I mean doing what is needed to get it sold. I mean taking the advice of your agent and a home stager.
- Have an "Exercise" Plan: Fix the needed repairs, update anything not from this decade, and add a fresh coat of paint.
- Picture Yourself in a New Place: Get into the mindset that this house (which is no longer your home) is going to be sold-soon. Pack away whatever you can live without for the next few months, since you will be moving. (The weight-loss advice would be to get rid of the "fat clothes!")
- Track Your Progress: Get feedback from your agent, be aware of market changes, know your agent's marketing plan, and make sure your home's marketing is excellent. Make sure your home is advertised, especially on the internet.
- Keep Your Goal in Mind: You may have to adjust your price, or you may need to make concessions to get what you want. Keep your goal in mind-you are selling your house. Do not let anything get in the way of that goal!
There is no reason, even in a strong "buyers' market" that a home cannot sell. It needs to be priced well and it needs to show well. As in weight loss, motivation is key.
Now... if only shedding those pounds was as easy as selling a house...
Great correlation Michele! You're correct, homes ARE selling and if the homeowner wants it to be their home, they need to prove motivation!
Great analogy, Michele. If you want to sell successfully in today's market, you definitely need to be the one in the best "shape." Professional home staging is like the makeovers on shows like What Not to Wear--highlight your best features and steer attention away from your challenging bits!
Michele,
Great advice and get analogy!!! We need to keep on educating till everyone knows Price and Staging are essential to getting a House Sold!!! Whatever it takes to getting the house to be the best product on the market for the best price!!!
Nice comparison, and well said! Sometimes I think losing weight is harder than selling a house.
Thanks Debra! Motivation is key!
LOL Mary! In the "best shape!" Wish I had thought of that one! I also love the analogy of What Not to Wear-- it's so true!
Thanks Linda! Price AND Staging-- have to have BOTH for the best offers.
Cindy-- I definitely agree, selling a house is easier-- maybe because when the house is sold, it stays sold! LOL!
Michelle, that was a very good parallel to use, which boils down to: there are NO excuses, and do NOT give up! I am surprised there were not more responses!
I never thought of the comparison between home selling and weight loss but your points totally make sense! This blog may help some seller's get into the right frame of mind.
Thanks! Many times there are obstacles to what we want-- it doesn't mean we should give up! Tori-- thanks-- I hope it helps too!
Michelle I love your "Exercise" Plan to get the home sold!
Thanks Tom! And thanks also for the reblog!
Hi Michele,
No problem! It was a great article!