Top Ten Listing Mistakes

As an agent who scours listings for potential clients there are features and descriptions that draw one in. There are very effective marketing tools, pictures and descriptions that help potential buyers notice a house or property.  There are also features in listings that make one question why they are there. This is a list of the top 10 mistakes seen in listings.

1. Blurry pictures taken with a cellphone. Not only are these disappointing, they are unprofessional.

2. Personal items appearing in pictures like medicine bottles, dirty dishes, open toilet lids and piles of what appears to be dirty laundry. Not only can this make a poor impression on a buyer, it could be dangerous for the homeowner.

3. Green/brown or only slightly filled pools. If the first thought that enters one's mind after seeing a picture of a pool is an opossum on an inflatable ring enjoying the pool, it is not listing worthy.

 

4. Misspellings. If an agent doesn't take the time to spell check a listing are they going to take the time to comb through a purchase and sales agreement for simple mistakes? 

5. Words and phrases the average person is unfamiliar with. For example lavette, I had to look this one up! It means small bathroom, a derivative from the French word lavatory or what most people call a small bathroom without a tub or shower.

6. Shorthand that appears in the comments section. EIK, eat-in-kitchen or FP, for fireplace, they make sense once you are familiar with them but they can confuse and frustrate buyers.

7. Pictures only featuring flowers. I have nothing against flowers, but generally they do not belong in a listing.

 

8. Random pets. Pets are great, but unless they photobomb the picture they too do not belong in a listing. They are a very cute and cuddly distraction from design features (I got distracted just thinking about them).

9. Cars in the driveway. They can block the view of the house.

10. Mislabeling outbuildings. Sheds, barns, running sheds, potting sheds, chicken coops and garages are not interchangeable words. Each has a unique design feature that while can be changed, for example a barn can be converted into a garage, but until that change happens it is still a barn.

SOLD! Southern RI Housing Stats

While housing markets across the country have seen double digit increases in housing sales, RI has seen only a 1% increase. RI, unlike other states was not hit as hard by the housing bubble of 2008. In southern RI the second home market and demand of homes cushioned the housing market somewhat.

From June to August 6 homes in Richmond, Charlestown and Hopkinton were sold in the price range of $100,000 to $200,000. This is the typical “bottom of the market” or first time home buyers range for these towns. This number excludes short sales.

What is interesting about these numbers is the number of days these homes were on the market. The longest was 62, the shortest was 1. Not only are homes in this price range selling, they are selling very quickly. The average was 23 days on the market.

For sellers this means pricing a home in this range may lead to an expedited sale. Good news for those who may want to move before the start of the school year, or who want to move quickly. For sellers who are priced slightly above this price range, a price reduction may help sell their home.

Buyers in this price range will have to keep up to date on this market. With homes selling quickly buyers need to be ready to view them, have their mortgage commitment letters ready and be ready to make an offer quickly.

Are you or is someone you know looking at homes in this price range? If so they need an agent who understands this market and will help them meet deadlines and get ready to put in an offer that may get accepted in this competitive market.