Like april I noticed the wires. When you're trimming down the pictures, you could keep #30 instead of #1 for the outside front view (#30 doesn't show the wires.) For the overhead shots, I like #33 if you crop it to get rid of the street at the bottom. I like it because the wires are less noticeable and it shows the proximity to water/woods. Definitely trim down the interior shots that are near duplicates, and keep one or two that showcase the view.

Best of luck!

There are new developments in the area, with access to public transportTion.

This home is competing with new homes for $200k less with access to public transportation.

This home is not in a sellers area in the S.F. Bay Area.

“Nice Breeze”. add that to your advertisement, plus the night lights of the oil refineries.

You say your price is right in line with comps - are those comps the ASKING PRICES, or the SOLD PRICES? Asking prices mean zilch. You’ve got to compare to sold prices.

When a house won’t sell, it’s almost always price.

First impression: RED trim???? WTH? That HAS to go. I’m not even sure I want to look at what’s inside, if the outside has red trim!

2nd Impression: Boy they like rugs. Is there something wrong with the wood underneath that they are trying to cover up? Will they get mad if I roll it back to look?

3rd: That Kitchen sure does look naked. Does it even have pulls, and thatv2 level bar, Inthink I can fix that....wait a minute, a gas cooktop right next to the wood of the oven cabinet!?!?! Fire and wood!!! That’s a fire hazard. We are now going to have to redo the kitchen immediately if we buy this house. Or only cook with 2 burners. Not sure I want to go any further. If the price is right, maybe. Why are they 200K OVER their neighbors and I have to do a kitchen remodel too???

4th Is that the original tile in that bath?? The closet doors look like the original birch. This might work if there are more MCM details that haven’t been remuddled. That kitchen though..,

5th. Wow, the back of the house is so much nicer than the front. It really shows its MCM roots. Maybe that red could get painted white. No, it’s got to come off of there entirely. I wonder if that’s asbestos siding? Is that in the disclosure?

6th Wait, it said 2 baths and 3 bedrooms. What’s wrong with that bathroom? All those same same pictures of the darn rugs, and not one of the second bath? Or the other bedrooms. Or did I miss it? I can’t tell whatvrooms we’re what, really.

I don’t care how nice the view is, I don’t want to even go look at something that is already 200K over the comps, needs a kitchen redo, and is hiding one of the bathrooms. We can find cheaper. And probably closer to transportation so we don’t have to live 4 hours on the freeway.

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I think the major issues that caught my eye, and the price are the reasons for no showings. Price will sell. A 100 square foot cabin next to the garbage dump will sell if you price it for $500. At 50K, people are gonna want to measure that distance to the dump. At 500K, they look to see who is punking them.

Schools in the area are starting.

If I work in the area, I cannot afford your home. If I can afford your home, I have to commute and there are less expensive and commute friendly homes in the area that are new and $200k under your price.

Brand new home, with connections to BART for $200k less.

The wind is often called “delta breeze”.

dont forget to disclose the fire danger.

.

Jim, you sound like a realtor in Antioch/Brentwood that is a buyer agent. Try to understand tbat I can't relocate my home, I understand all you are saying. The market (prior sales) say its in line. If I could put in rapid trans I would. Right now theres a 1 block walk to the bus which goes to the transfer station in Hercules then on to BART in Richmond. Its not an isolated place, its a secret place. Since we got a freeway sign, people now know of it. We now have two stop lights. Lol. Taxes are lower here too because we are unincorporated. We should market to empty nesters I suppose. Anyone? Anyone? Ferris? ;) i gotta see that movie again.

And all of CA is a fire danger.

Oh and we have a fire hydrant two feet off our property line in front too. Yay!

Without the staging, our HOA townhouse wouldn’t have looked nearly as attractive as it did in the photos taken and used for the MLS. A few minor changes, leaving ALL the lights on and ALL window blinds in the house open, it looked like a totally different townhouse to people looking at it online and at showings. Was it inconvenient and did leaving all the lights on and blinds opened go against my years-long habit? Yes, yes, and yes. Did it sell quickly and for above asking? Yes and yes. Was the inconvience worth it? Absolutely.

Wanted to add...the townhouse was in SoCal and some of the interest in it attributed to being in the entry housing market level pricing, but the staging and photos were so important for selling it’s positive attributes in a way that didn’t make people think they should lowball their offers.

Hi Jenn, Thanks so much for your input and help. And thank you for being nice. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. ;)

Jenn, I’m learning so much! Thank you!

No problem - staging isn’t as big a thing in every housing market in the country, but it really makes a difference in California, for whatever reason. Maybe there are more prospective buyers looking in California without the ability to see past the homeowner’s furniture and decor, maybe it’s just what people expect to see when looking at a home for sale, who knows. But the expense was well worth it given the amount over asking we sold for (more than twice what I bought it for in 2002!),.

If your realtor isn’t doing their job with getting private showings after all those open houses you’ve had, sit them down to figure out why and what they can do but haven’t been doing as successfully, to help you sell. Photos should present your house in the best possible way, but not so far into the realm of “this isn’t the same place shown in the listing photos” sense. You shouldn’t think that you need to do major upgrades so that your house will sell - unless you are a mind reader (I’m certainly not!) and know what that one particular buyer wants, which isn’t guaranteed to be what other buyers are looking for.

And patience. I have trouble with it too, but when it came to selling I had to trust my realtor knew what she was doing and follow her instructions on leaving all lights turned on and the blinds opened, as well as being okay with hastily grabbing the dog and a book to go hang out in a park while there was a showing. Oh, and the ‘showing only comforter’ on the bed, the laundry sorting hamper stuffed in the closet with any towels we used earlier in the day in it so that the ‘showing only towels’ could be put out. Definitely inconvenient but worth it in the end.

Jenn, yes! Thank you! For open houses I had to put a German Shepherd and two great danes in hubbys car and send him off, then two howling cats in mine to drive and sit for 3 hours three weeks in a row. And took all signs of pets to garage. Bowls, blankets, toys, etc. so fun! ;). I get it though. All worth it. Thanks again!

Luckily you have the garage! We had carport spaces and thankfully just the one dog, as my last cat went over the r. bridge in 2014.

I think that with staging and a talk with your realtor, you’ll get things headed in the right direction and sell your house. Good luck and all the scritches for your fur-family!

Sophie, thank you. I have a sense of humor about your post and hope you have one too because you're a pro! You seem to be mistaken on many assumptions. That’s redwood. Wood in kitchen is coated with no-burn per CA code. All cabinets have handles. Expensive ones. Doors are stained natural and Varathaned and are 10 years old. All asbestos removed from house entirely two years ago when we put in new ductwork, new Lennox 14 SEER HVAC unit. I agree on pics being repetitious. And confusing. Both baths are there though. Working on it. And its not 200 over comps. Someone said that and it seems to have stuck. Anyway, thank you for your input. The dual height counter is quite handy for tons of storage/drawers and grabbing a bite, as well as three feet from the washer dryer closet in kitchen for folding laundry and removing things from the oven. I was going to show you my sense of humor by starting with this: “First impression: PURPLE trim???? WTH? That HAS to go. I’m not even sure I want to look at what’s inside, if the outside has purple trim! I hope the carpet matches the drapes!” ;) sure hope you have a sense of humor too! :) take care

Oh Jenn! I’m so sorry about your kitty. That’s so sad. Thanks again for all!

Priced too high for empty nesters, and the traffic, no retiree wants your traffic. Your place was perfect in the 70’s, SF access, low cost, easy access to the interstate.

You are being out competed by brand new with access to BART.

I wish you well!

I caution against staging, if your house was saleable, a flipper would have contacted you.

Thank you Jim... is price your ONLY SUGGESTION? There are lots of people that work closeby at the refineries, sugar plant, and north of here with NO COMMUTE. Then there are the many telecommuters in the Bay Area, approximately 8% in Contra Costa, and Solano counties (right over the bridge here) Thanks for the well wishes, I wish you well also. And thank you for your input. I do appreciate it.

PS My hubby works in Fairfield and has a dream commute, as do all my neighbors. Just sayin, not arguing. Thanks again!

A German Shepherd, two Great Danes, and two cats? I assume they spend time in the house? Are you absolutely sure there is no pet odor in the house? Has a non-pet-owner given you an all-clear on a sniff test?

We spent last weekend with our son and wife. They have a small house dog. I know without a doubt that the dog sleeps on top of the bed in the spare bedroom, where we slept. There’s no animal toys, bed, dishes, or anything else in the room that might emit a dog odor. But the bed did. I could smell it upon entering the room.

I do not mean to offend, and your house may be perfectly fine. But some people are highly sensitive to pet odor (me) and some people are even allergic. This cuts down your pool of possible buyers even further.

I totally get that and thank you for being honest and frank. I have disposed of EVERYTHING INCLUDING ALL CARPETS and bedding. After first open house had house inspected and sniffed. Had Replaced all things absolutely necessary (litter and box and change out DAILY) and only a few toys outside only. Realtor tested, all went fine. Dogs bathed weekly. (Sometimes more after a long run). I even asked two of my friends who are sensitive and got the all clear. But I must admit to all that the first open house was not as thoroughly pet clean as the following ones. I needed to throw all things out. Including two twin beds. But it was worth it. No worries there! Thanks for the input! (Also, for others info: dont forget to clean out your furnace/air filter! Turns out thats where the odor was coming from that I could not find! Good for realtors to know too! Was a puzzle for a few days!)

Oh Jim! Good point there! Awww, you do care. ;)

Have you looked at every property that is like yours that has gone under contract since you went on the market? This is the most important step you need to take right now. Looking at the details of what buyers have chosen, will tell you a lot. It will probably even show you the reason why you can not even get a showing.

Good idea! Thank you NC! I will!

So I check out pending?

I'm confused. Is the house completely empty of all furnishings now? Are you hiring a stager?

That chain link fence and no landscaping on the dirt part of the back yard would be a huge turn-off for me.

My son's house took nearly 2 years to see - it was over-priced. My hairdresser's house has been on the market for 2 1/2 years and has not sold - over-priced.

Typically, that is the ONLY reason a house doesn't sell. If can have major faults, but if the price is right, someone will still buy it.

I do wonder though, if the fact that the nearest houses are priced lower (even though they aren't the comps to your house) is keeping buyers away. Kind of like the way an over-improved house won't sell if the seller insists on recouping his investment, because even though it is a better house, it is above the nearby houses. Their realtors should be showing them the appropriate comps, but still...

Don't know if Margaret updated based on comments, but I was expecting a disaster, so was pleasantly surprised when I saw the photos. That old saw 'all real estate is local' definitely applies, so I would pay close attn to posters in your area. I am on the east coast, so take my comments with a grain of salt.

If I were looking to buy in your area, absolutely the main attraction of your home would be the opportunity to create a great back yard. If I had little kids, I'd appreciate the fenced-in and terraced yard that abuts the Crockett Hills Regional Park. However, it would definitely require a LOT of work to come close to a backyard like that at 61 Crestview. And I imagine fire and drought would complicate too. In google map, do I see a covered area in the backyard?

Inside, the only thing that would really worry me is the cooktop placement. The venting seems too low, and I would be concerned about how close the cooktop is to the side cabinet (but I believe you addressed that).

One 'staging' issue for the inside: I'd probably remove the venetian blinds (even though I'm sure they were costly) from the windows and replace with solar shades, as I think those windows - which are a great feature - may face west.

Good luck in selling your home, Margaret!

Mob Thank you! Will consider all, backyard cover (and fireplace) was removed years ago. Thanks for the suggestions!

Mjb not mob! Sorry, and thank you autocorrect.

Everyone, 2 showings coming up this week. Yay and thanks so much! I’m working on everything as hard as I possibly can. Thanks soooo much, this is a wonderful resource with wonderful people who care. You’re the best.

Thanks Margaret!

No, NC, thank YOU! ;)

Good luck Margaret! Let us know what happens

Will do!

Margaret, a 2 hour warning to show a home could be a real handicap for a realtor. Why would you need 2 hours to secure the pets? 20 minutes ought to do it, if that.

Because I have to find them, put them in a vehicle, wash window, hide toys, clean and cover cat box, pick up dog poop, hide food dishes, etc etc. because I want it to look perfect. Sorry for inconveniencing but a realtor should really understand. It’s not always about the buyer and why can’t they wait a few hours to see a home anyway? Take them out for coffee or something. Show them around town. Drive by. Tell them about the neighborhood. Plan their time better and map out their day. Tell them when you get a call that it will be available to see in two hours. I don’t quite get the big deal there. Maybe explain? Not arguing, just curious. If it’s YOUR time, I get it. You want it done and over. But the buyer will be just fine I think. Your thoughts?

GUYS!!! ONE SHOWING, ONE OFFER, ANOTHER SHOWING WED EVENING! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Great news!!!!

I have to agree about rounding up the furkids. Sounds easy but they know exactly where to hid and how to quickly escape from there to another position. Those that do not understand has never taken an animal to the vet's that did not want to go.

Good luck to you! Hope for the best! You have everything packed, your heart must be already in PA. Which part of PA are you going to?

Allentown area not sure exactly where.

You will love PA! Everything is cheaper! :-) I am in PA on the weekends, love there!

Thank you Denita. :) Showing again tonight!

Sounds like you are on a roll now. What did you change?

Really nicely written Zillow blurb - 'what I love about the home'.

When I look at the listings, none of the photos have changed. Did you try something else?