Why is my home not selling?
Lacey
last year
Featured Answer
Comments (74)
Lacey
last yearsushipup2
last yearRelated Discussions
Selling my house with my koi pond
Comments (19)With reference to the new home, you need to use a product called BIN Pigminted Shellac. It's sort of expensive, but well worth the cost. During application it smells like a bottle of rubbing alchol was spilled, and it is advisable to wear a respirator while applying. Because it's a shellac (white) it's a permanant seal for the nicotine (brown color) as well as the odors. It is suitable for use on both the walls and the floor underlayment. DO NOT use a water-based product REGARDLESS of what the salesman tells you. I spent 9 years running a Sherwin Williams paint store, and know what I'm talking about. Waterbased primers that advertise as odor blocker/nicotine blockers require at minimum 2 coats, but offer no guarantee against bleeding from the nicotine, and very little odor blockage. Secondly, although the tempation is to use 'cheap' rollers, DON'T. The alcohol in the BIN will dissolve it shortly (the glue) leaving a terrible mess. Use rollers in the $5-7 range. The product tries odor free within an hour or 2, and unlike oil based products there isn't a lingering odor afterwards. You can paint with latex over the primer after it dries. Carpet/tile over the floor. Good luck!...See MoreSell my house? Sell my KITCHEN???
Comments (33)AMG-roadter, I know your comment was to snowbaby but I had to chime in. You are so right the practical side is that Snowbaby is moving for an opportunity. This means she can make a beautiful kitchen in the next home. And in time can let these feelings go. The new owners can and should be allowed to do as they wish. But my sensitive side really understands snowbaby. I believe (I could be wrong) that Snowbaby accepts she is leaving the house to someone else. This is all part of moving. But she loves her kitchen so much, it has become a part of her. The sad part is the kitchen has become her baby. The planning, nuturing, excitement with each new peice, creating changes, colors, searching for the perfect granite, wood, cabinets, lighting, trim and the deep personal investment (not money) will be hard to part with. She enjoys just drinking a glass of juice and looking around her kitchen with happiness. Will she ever have a kitchen as wonderful as this again? Will someone love her kitchen the way she did and still does? The memories of her kitchen will always be with her. It may sound silly to some. It does not to me. When I look back at my first move ever. I was devastated to learn the people who bought my house changed everything I did. They ripped out the brand new carpet, hated the flooring, wall colors, and shared this with my old neighbors. I was sad but my DH reminded me we made a great profit and to let it go. I really loved all my old homes. I moved countless times. And the first move was the most painful. After that I became more practical. And now before I sell a home, I take out my favorite lights, or window treatments pack them all up for a new place and replace it all with a standard set for the new buyers. I would do well to live in Europe where I could pack up my kitchen every time I move. Maybe this explains a little how she might be feeling. I do not wish to speak for her just to sympathize with her position. ~boxerpups...See MoreThe Endowment Effect or Why won't my home sell??
Comments (5)WOW... how totally timely! My home gets photographed today, with listing on Wed 5/1. In the last 2 weeks, homes in this neighborhood have been selling within the first 1-2 weeks. However, pricing, sans emotion, is a hurdle I needed to face. I have found what helped me the most when detaching myself emotionally from this little cottage (that I have so improved and loved over the past 10 years) is studying the MINUTE details from posted photos of my competition. These are all small, modest 'starter homes'. I made myself view these offerings as if I were considering them for myself, and compared similarities and differences to my home. Eye-opening, for certain! A hardwood floor is a hardwood floor, no matter the stain color. All ranges cook and fridges cool, DW clean, etc. Better, fancier, bells-and-whistles are nice, but... not at some premium price. Newer roof, clean and uncluttered rooms, furnace/AC in good condition, good windows, updated kitchen and baths appealed to me. A finished basement, large shed outfitted as a workshop, huge kiddie play structure, or a water garden would be major negatives, for my personal needs. So I stepped back, and mentally erased the personalized improvements to this house, and focused on what I would be willing to pay for the basics. It was a sobering experience... but so worthwhile. I came up with my dollar value for the house. My agent came yesterday, having done a CMA prior to our meeting. After viewing the house, he decided he needed to re-evaluate his pricing opinion. His comment, "The house is a winner, very nice!" I have no doubt we will easily agree on the asking price. The minute that sign appears in the front yard on Wednesday, this is no longer my home. It is merely a piece of property that I am offering up and leaving. My emotional attachment can be recalled in all the photos. The cottage will belong to another... I will have moved on....See MoreMy white kitchen is preventing my house from selling :(
Comments (45)I did not have time to read all of the replies but to offer a bit of friendly support from someone who has recently been there and done that...we fnally sold our house about 9 months ago after a year on the market. Prospective buyers, especially in today's market, are just very fickle sometimes and trying to predict what they will go for is beyond me. We had redone our kitchen with Wolf/SZ etc (all top end appliances) nice granite etc so it was very updated (and the house was only 7 years old anyway). In the beginning everyone said "That kitchen will sell your house in a minute and bring a premium. Well, as the market tanked, the most common comment was "Nice kitchen but we really don't cook that much" or..."Kitchens are not our thing" etc. Another dig was the wall color in one small room. Many people did not like it at all. Hello! It was one room...2 gallons of paint at most...paint it whatever floats your boat for about $200. I even stipulated in the fact/seller allowance sheet that we would repaint rooms for an allowance up to $1,000. My point is that in such a down market, people focus on what is wrong or they don't like (not what is right or they do like) to negotiate the price down even further. What a difference 24 months makes! Anyway, good luck. I know selling right now is stressful at best. FWIW, when you least expect it, someone will walk in and say, "I love it!"....See Morelittlebug zone 5 Missouri
last yearlast modified: last yearLacey
last yearlast modified: last yearmtvhike
last yearLacey
last yearkempek01
last yearLacey
last yearmoosemac
last yearNancy R z5 Chicagoland
last yeartete_a_tete
last yearlast modified: last yearlittlebug zone 5 Missouri
last yearlast modified: last yearpalimpsest
last yearlast modified: last yearEileen
last yearlast modified: last yearcpartist
last yearkevin9408
last yearlast modified: last yearpalimpsest
last yearvioletsnapdragon
last yearA M
last yearcpartist
last yearmaifleur03
last yearjemimabean
last yearwestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
last yearlast modified: last yearPugga70
last yearvioletsnapdragon
last yearspindle22
last yearelcieg
last yearAnnKH
last yearrrah
last yearUser
last yearLacey
last yearcpartist
last yearlast modified: last yearwestes Zone 9b California SF Bay
last yearraee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
last yearcpartist
last yearlast modified: last yearLacey
last yearToronto Veterinarian
last yearlittlebug zone 5 Missouri
last yearlast modified: last yearmartian3
last yearUser
last yearLacey
last yearlast modified: last yearUser
last yearmxk3 z5b_MI
last year
Related Stories
SELLING YOUR HOUSEA Moving Diary: Lessons From Selling My Home
After 79 days of home cleaning, staging and — at last — selling, a mom comes away with a top must-do for her next abode
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSEHome Staging to Sell: The Latest Techniques That Really Work
Get up to speed on the best ways to appeal to potential buyers through accessories, furniture, colors and more
Full StoryDECORATING GUIDES7 Tips to Sell Your Home Faster to a Younger Buyer
Draw today's home buyers by appealing to their tastes, with these guidelines from an expert decorator
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSE5 Savvy Fixes to Help Your Home Sell
Get the maximum return on your spruce-up dollars by putting your money in the areas buyers care most about
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSEYour Home-Selling Guide for a Faster and Better Sale
Learn staging and curb appeal tricks, how to get the best photos and more in this roundup focusing on high-impact house-selling strategies
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSE10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell
Put these inexpensive but invaluable fixes on your to-do list before you put your home on the market
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSEThe Case for Hiring a Home Stager When You’re Selling
This pro can help your home look its best — potentially resulting in a faster sale with more profit
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSESell Your Home Fast: 21 Staging Tips
Successful staging is key to selling your home quickly and at the best price. From cleaning to styling, these tips can help
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSEThe Latest Info on Renovating Your Home to Sell
Pro advice about where to put your remodeling dollars for success in selling your home
Full StorySELLING YOUR HOUSESave Money on Home Staging and Still Sell Faster
Spend only where it matters on home staging to keep money in your pocket and buyers lined up
Full Story
LaceyOriginal Author