Last fall, I wrote a book specifically for the NAR convention called: 74 Ways to Sell Your Listings in Today's Market.
But after it went to press, I slapped myself in the head because there's one topic I didn't cover in the book and I should have. So, I'll address it here.
The question I didn't answer was: "If I do each and every one of your 74 thingees to sell my listing, can you 
guarantee that it WILL sell?"
Nope.
Sure wish I could. With all my heart, I wish I could promise everyone who buys my book and puts my advice into action that their listings will sell within xx days. But that would be a lie and I'd never lie to my friends.
Here's the thing. There simply may not be a demand for your listing right now. There may literally be NO buyers for what you're selling.
I had a broker once who made the statement "There's an a$$ for every saddle." Cute, huh? All she meant was that every home will sell eventually. And it was true, back then. Today? Not so much.
There simply aren't enough buyers out there. Very few of today's buyers are willing to take a chance on their home purchase. If your listing offers any sort of investment risk, it may not be sellable. Right now, anyway.
So, if your listing isn't selling and you've done everything you could possibly do, it's NOT YOUR FAULT! Please stop agonizing over what else you can do or who else you can call. You've done your best and none of us are miracle-workers.
Stop losing sleep. Rest easy. You're too cute to look so stressed out!
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Karen - maybe that's what she said. It does make a little more sense, doesn't it?
Debbie - It's a fine line - if a home is simply not in demand, even the "right price" won't move it. I'm sure at SOME price, it will sell, although I"ve seen some grossly "underpriced" homes lately that are just sitting. Frankly, I think buyers will still pay good money for a great house. A bad house - no one wants it at any price.
Hmmm.....isn't this your attitude in "any market"? It should be.
Patricia Aulson/Seacoast NH/ME/MA
In the car business (years ago!) we had the ugliest new car you could build. It was the wrong color, the wrong options and the wrong price. We had this thing on our lot for a year!
Then one day this lady walks in and discovers the car she had been searching for! She didn't even ask for a discount (beyond the ones we were throwing at it to get rid of it!) She was happy and last I knew was still driving it.
Yes, there is an a$$ for every saddle. And I do think every home will sell, eventually. The question is as an agent, do you want to be the one hanging on to it for a year, spending all the money marketing it on the off chance that you might get lucky? Probably not. You never know which one this happens on either.
JA - Yes every home will sell eventually based on PTC (Price, Terms and Condition) ... unfortunately with the over heated market it may take some (... no ... ) Lots of time in certain markets
Good Luck Next Week
I sell the beat down donkeys that nobody else wants or are anxious to get rid of, and yes they do sell!
I've never bought or read any of your material, but I am a follower of your insight on this site and other forums (I think I'm a cyber groupie!). I referred a new agent to your site a few months ago (which I hate to suggest a new agent pay more money for the attempt to start out). Not sure if she follewed up on it or not though.
Good luck with the new book and have fun in Vegas!
I would do onehundredandseventy things at this point, and I don't think it will help. People can't afford to lower their price any more than they already have, and they have a serious need to move. Where can you go with that?
I hate feeling helpless!
Jayne - It's so easy for us to be judgmental about our over-mortgaged clients, but that's a dangerous place to go. If your clients can't or won't lower their price, respect that they are adults and have made the right decision for them. It sounds as if you "get" that. So stop feeling helpless! (yeah, easy for me to say).
JMac - how much weight have you lost? I'm following in your footsteps - lost 4 pounds in three days!
I've always been on the "at the right price anything will sell" bandwagon, but I'm not so sure anymore. Of course, the wrong price will kill any sale, but if a house has too many fatal flaws, I'm not sure there is a buyer! Buyers are fussy and they aren't going to buy a mangy dog - they'll compromise on other features before they'll buy something they don't really want.
I could be wrong - and that would be okay!
Are you inside my head?? I was just thinking about this because I'm writing out my whole process - soup to nuts. And part of that is looking again at my marketing plan where I do the 70 things. And I know this question will continue to come up right at this point in the conversation. Can I guarantee it? No. I wish I could but even with lowered prices and doing every single thing right, there are not enough buyers right now to match to every house.
We have to be perfect in this market to get a shot. And that's what we are working for: the shot.
hmmm... seems like the same thing we are doing with our marketing plans - looking for the at bats so that some of them become clients where we discuss the 70 items required.
OK, so I'm going to point out that there are two types of a$$es, the donkey-kind and the kind that sits ON TOP of the saddle. I think the saying as Jennifer said it is correct, but they are referring to the other kind of ass, the kind on top of the saddle. LOL!
Jennifer, I want this book too, but only if you sign it for me. So now I'm up to two books, lordy! Very appropriate for our current market though, thanks! See you in Vegas!
I got your book yesterday. It looks great!
I appreciate this post. I've been struggling with a few listings. I've done all I can but hire a brass band. <<sigh>>
Hi Jennifer, Sorry for the long delay. If home prices were suddenly cut in half, I think there would be a feeding frenzy like you wouldn't believe. First time home buyers could get back in the market and that would cause a ripple effect all the way up.
I believe there is a pent up demand out there. Kids are graduating from College and moving back in with their parents because they simply can't afford these prices. Families are "doubling up" and there are those who would like to move but they are stuck. The slowdown in the market was inevitable because wages did not rise with the rapid increase in home prices.
BTW, Keep up the good work. I read everything you write and I am totally seduced. :)