[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by moeZ 18

We signed up with the villages relocation program because I read all these good things about them and how other people had their homes sold fast.
We live in West Virginia and have had our home on the market since the end of June. We have not had any offers and we lowered the price. We are really wanting to move to the villages. Anyone have any suggestions?????
The house has been repainted both inside and out, there are new countertops in the kitchen and one of the bathrooms was redone by bathfitter. It has a screened in deck plus another deck. I guess we are just anxious to be a villager

You don't say if your house has been listed with a Realtor or if you are trying to sell it as a FSBO (For Sale By Owner). If you are trying to sell it as a FSBO, list it immediately! If your house is listed and you have not had any offers or if it is not being shown, change and go with another company.

I have been a Realtor/agent for over 30 years. I hope my suggestions and comments below are helpful to you. :

There are three reasons a house doesn't sell:

If it is priced too high.
If it is not in decent condition.
If the location is not good (a changing neighborhood?).

While all of these thing have an effect on a property selling, the bottom line is the price. If any of these things are true, you need to lower the price. Everything will sell for a a price and price is king.

Yes -- if you go with the Villages Relocation, they are paid a referral fee by the company to whom they make the referral. They simply pick up the phone and is unnecessary in your case. When I make a referral, I investigate the credentials of the agent to whom I make the referral. I take this part of my job very seriously and it isn't just a matter of only picking up the phone to an unknown. The Villages does not do this. Drive around your neighborhood and see what company or agent has the most signs. Get on Realtor.com and do the same thing. You want a proactive Realtor in your neighborhood.

Now -- regarding the physical property. Curb appeal -- very important. Plant some fall annuals for color in front (coleus, impatients, etc.). Make sure your hedges are trimmed and grass cut and edged.

Have your Realtor put the house on a lockbox. The easier you make it for agents to show, the more showings you will get. Put valuables away (jewelry). When your house is being shown -- leave. You shouldn't be there. The same goes for pets; get them out of the house or if you can't, confine them to a crate. Not so easy to do with a cat, but they will probably hide anyway.

If you have already packed any boxes, get them out of the house (and garage) and put them in storage. Less is more. You don't want clutter of any kind and want a person's eye to roam without interruption. Make sure furniture doesn't block a path or doorway. Take messages, photos, calendars, etc. off the refrigerator. Put all family photos away and remove all religious items, as well. Your goal is to make your house as impersonal as possible so a potential buyer can imagine it being their house.

If I sat here long enough, I would probably think of more pointers! Hopefully, some of these things will be helpful. If you do have a question and you think I can help, feel free to send me a private message.

Good luck! I hope your house sells soon!