Third "second showing"--bought another!

Do you know why they went with the other house?

My home was built in 1996--all they said was that they went with a "newer" home.

Camty,

This EXACT same thing just happened to us today!! The "second showing" ended up buying a newer house. SO frustrating!

The only reason we were given is that the buyer thought that our "bricks were tilted about 1/8 of an inch" over the garage. WTH?

a newer home? well, you can't do anything about that!  Good thing they weren't looking at mine, built in 1930.

Frustrating just doesn't do my stress level justice.  I fully realize that there are a lot of people who have been sitting with no activity for months, but of course I'm riding my own roller coaster from you know where.  It seems that we are averaging about every two weeks so far some one is looking at us twice, narrowing us to the top two or three but we just can't close the deal.  We do not have to move, but would like to build or find the home that we want to send my boys off to college and retire in.  I feel like we are just so close so many times that I just feel sick.  I'm hoping my stress level will level off shortly due to the fact that my school year will be over in 11 days, but who is counting ( I teach high school). Thanks for letting me boo hoo and if anyone takes a look at the website I originally posted, please let me know your thoughts.

Thanks,

Camty

It sounds like you are priced right. I'm sure if you lower another 10 - 20K you would sell it, but ask yourself how much cr*p you are willing to put up with for $10,000. What's your time and trouble worth? Maybe $100 for a showing? How about $1000 for a close call?

Instead of feeling all down, just tell yourself you made $1000!

BTW ... If you read my past posts, you'll find that I think there are many, many delusional sellers out there, but you seem like you get it.

JMHO

I think your home is beautiful!!! It would have been exactly what I wanted when we were looking to buy (but in the suburban Cleveland area). Seems to me it is priced great, but of course I'm not familiar with the comps in your area. Good luck. The key is patience!! I am sure a buyer will come along soon - you've obviously had a ton of interest in your home already!

You have  a very nice home!  In our market it would probably be priced in the $350,000+ range. 

I find that some buyers like newer homes because they are concerned about water heaters and roofs going out.  You might try offering a home warranty up-front.  When I am working with buyers who are looking at resale homes I always include a request that the seller provide a home warranty policy.  I pay for it out of my own pocket if a seller is unwilling to pay for it.  It is generally around $320 unless there are additional riders for roof, pool, well, septic... etc.

When I take a resale listing, I tell the seller that they should anticipate providing a home warranty to the buyer.

Thank you all for your input--and compliments--I really appreciate it.  Fourier 2020, I do believe that we are being realistic and not greedy.  Our price at 269,900 is $400 over the "Zestimate" and any place that I have tried to get value from, all come withing the "ball park".  I did do some sleuthing today and found out that a home in a nearby development has a pending contract as of 5/11--hmmmmm????  The price was 264,900--2580 sq. ft--400 ft smaller--built in 2000--"4 years newer".  Oh, and here is the kicker--I have a full finished basement--this house was an unfinished basement.  The only thing that I can think of is that they have a 6 year old daughter and a new baby girl--this house had two bedrooms that were alternating pink and purple walls in both rooms--definitely girly girl.  I have two boys so there rooms are neutral colors.  I give up trying to figure it out.  I'm just trying to put it out of my mind--yeah right.  We had another showing yesterday--they were in there almost 40 minutes but I haven't heard anything yet--I'm sure we're in the top 2--HA! HA! Carl, we did have a home inspection before we put the house on the market--everything checked out--or very minor repairs that have already been taken care of, but I will speak to my realtor about the warranty--thanks for the advice.

Since you had an inspection, you might want to make sure the inspection results and remedies are out there for the prospective buyers to see.  Ours is on the counter, next to the flyers, and next to the giant binder of warranties, work orders, etc that we have on the house.    What we are trying to convey to the prospective owners is the work is all done, no worries; move in ready.  And we have the documentation to prove it.  Even have the septic real estate certification available for review.  We have an interested couple; but they have to sell their place first; and so goes the domino effect!

Nauntie, I think having an interested party is all we have!!!  I just checked our "showing feedback" from the showing yesterday--all great comments--house inside and outside in tremendous shape, BUT--there's always a "but"--now they are not sure if they want to be as far south (from Dayton/Wright Patterson AFB) as Springboro--THEN WHY IN THE HECK ARE YOU LOOKING THIS FAR SOUTH!!!!   Thanks for the advice about the inspection.  I asked my realtor and she said that a lot of times the word "inspection" throws perspective buyers.  I don't know if I totally agree with her but she has been doing this for about 20 years and has been very successful so I guess we'll go with what she says for now.

Camty2525:  Sometimes folks with many years of experience get into a comfort zone and are hesitant to step out a little in front of the crowd.  You could let your realtor know you are wanting to be as procactive as possible and AVOID potential deal breakers by getting the inspection done and documented.  I can't say that will make a difference for us; but at least it is on the table and everything is disclosed.  Would'nt you want to know as the seller if there are issues NOW rather than AFTER an offer is written and it is contingent on a clear inspection?  Your realtor isn't paying for the inspection, you have to decide if you want to make that investment.  Understand about the "BUTS"; can be very frustrating.  Take a deep breath and go to your happy place....

I'm in the same boat, only, I've been on the market almost a year.  We just had our third "thanks, but no thanks" over the weekend.  Two of them decided to go with new construction.  It makes me laugh because in my town, most of the homes are about 100 years old.  That's sort of the point where we live.  Can't fix that.  This last weekend, they just liked something else.  Can't fix that either.

In this market you need to relax.  Sorry if that sounds condescending but it's true.  There is so much selection right now, buyers can be as picky and silly as they want to be.  (No offense to buyers, but some of the reasons for not buying a particular place is just plain silly.)  Lots of them are waiting for you to drop the price or they're snapping up foreclosures priced way below you.  Seven weeks with 3 second lookers is excellent.  Sounds like you're priced right so just sit tight and you might get an offer soon.  At least wait another month or two before dropping the price.  Unless you have to get out right now.