Thinking about listing your home for sale? Please read these comments from Phyllis, a recent seller client:

We have spent two and one-half years in the "for sale" mode. Although we had hoped to have a fairly quick sale, we knew from watching higher priced properties in the area that it might take up to two and one-half years. One such property right down the road from us did take exactly that amount of time. The locals can't afford such properties, and the out-of-towners have to understand what they're getting for their $$, i.e., not just a house, but the property as a whole must be considered, and MARKETED.

We first tried Next Generation Realty, which meant I had to show the realty myself, but would have saved substantial $$ on commissions. Because we lived in a rural area, we had to do what no other sellers have to do, "deposit" $250 up front with Next Generation. We had a seemingly enthusiastic realtor, who was really very pleasant. Unfortunately, after a year of open houses, at least twice a month, we were very frustrated. We had had several parties very interested, but nothing ever developed. They would contact the realtor, and it would end there. He literally did nothing, and in fact more than one interested party told us as much--he didn't even return calls. We forfeited the $250, and went on.

Because Iowa Realty is the largest realtor in the area, we thought they were our next best bet. Again, we had a very personable realtor, but he just wasn't enthusiastic - my husband and I both felt he needed to actively "market" the place, and he just wasn't the type I guess. Plus, he was a retiree who took up selling realty for a retirement income. As my husband said, he just wasn't "hungry" enough to actively market his assigned properties. In any event, we worked with him for a year, and had numerous low dollar tentative offers, but we did not want to give the property away. We eventually had two fairly reasonable offers, but both fell through due to poor pre-screening and the desire of one offeror to sell her property prior to fruition of her offer. We felt that those individuals should have been better screened up front. We also had in hand a formal appraisal, which was done a couple of years before the property was put up for sale, and before numerous improvements. During the for-sale period, we also had an on-line appraisal, which showed a substantial increase in value. The Iowa Realtor took the attitude that every appraisal is different, so we couldn't put any stock in that, even including the older formal appraisal. Having working in real estate for years, including a lengthy term at the U.S. Small Business Administration closing loans, I was well acquainted with the value of appraisals, and would have applied that reasoning to the on-line appraisal, but not a true "comp" appraisal. Basically, we felt the Iowa Realtor had no confidence in our property, and for that reason as well as the lack of "hunger" , he was just not the right person to sell it.

Finally, in frustration, and after reading and researching the market, we felt we might have to sell our property at a much reduced price just to get rid of it. I was looking at retirement in one year, and we intended to leave the State immediately thereafter. In a last ditch effort, I contacted a web site I had visited. My understanding from the information provided was that this website put one in touch with realtors with a fast-track record, i.e., those who actively marketed and worked a property, as a true salesperson does with any product, and it was reflected in that realtor's sales portfolio. The web site recommended Mike and Danielle Davis of Remax here in the Des Moines/West Des Moines area. I met with Mike and Danielle and liked their enthusiasm, tempered by the reality of today's very competitive market.  I was ready to offer the house at a lesser price, but they said no. We put it on the market again for just under the hard appraisal price, and in less than two months, we are in closing. In fact, the offer was for more than the listed price. We are very happy and very relieved. It is difficult to give the proper care and love to an acreage when you no longer live there, and to do it for two and one-half years in particular.

Mike and Danielle kept in touch by email and phone, and from their questions during the listing period, were obviously actively marketing the property. The first month was slow due to the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday period, but the second month was very active. The buyers looked at our acreage/house during one of the worst weeks for weather in Iowa, and made the best offer we've had.

We have another property sell when we leave Iowa, and I will list it with Mike and Danielle of Remax.
 

To list your home for sale with Mike and Danielle Davis, email us or call us at 515-633-8877.

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