We used a friend of my wife to sell our house. We had seen her activity level and we felt comfortable with the decision. BUT we said out of the gate that this was a business decision and that we would not be shy about giving feedback or expressing any concens. Overall she did a good job but we supervised her work.

When first listed it appeared in one listing service but not the another. We were on it in 24 hours and she was getting that fixed and we verified it.

We also did as much as possible to get everything perfect. Rented a storage unit immediatly and cleared out all excess crap and items not helpful to sell the house. Even tools that were not need, extra clothes out of the closet to make them look bigger, changed door knobs, bought annuals, painted interior, changed carpet, etc. We were in the begining of the slowdown in 2007. I had a deep cleaner who busted her butt to make things look great, a paint crew and myself and a kid I hired all hustling for a week or two. My wife is a professional level photographer (no-pics) and we critically reviewed EVERY thing that was showing up in the marketing material.

I knew that we were on track when a realtor was trying to talk his 4 bedroom clients into a 3 bedroom house.

Hold whomever is your agent accountable. Double check and triple check their work. I will do an openhouse ... Oh no one does that anymore because internet.... That would be an immediate phone call to discuss what was said vs, delivered friendship or not. If that was said in the courtship to get your business when did she realize the internet made that ineffective???!!!??? She would have no doubt that was a problem for you both if I was in your shoes.

Scour comparable listings. Compare your pictures, compare your verbage. What did they say that you did not in the description. Looking at pictures and comparing them with yours make a game plan to correct any deficiencies with the house or the pictures.

If your house is rented, it might be hard to get that level of shine on the property but figure out your options. How long until the renters vacate? If you get them out and get in there and get it emptied out and cleaned and shiney it might help your sellability and sales price.

If your house has renters, how long before someone can move in? That might be holding off a lot of interest.

Edit - Here is an example of horrible marketing for a not super desireable house. Crap everywhere. Stuff on tables, appliances out, etc. etc. Women are making the buying decision and kitchens are super important. Flowers on table, etc. is what you are looking for. This is listed by Mark Spain. I am sure they have some reason why they can't get decent photos but they would b better off with a sketch artisit.
Professional put this online.

This post was edited on 5/6/24 at 1:23 pm