It's the night before inspection day - 1222 hits on the website, so I'm hoping for about 8-9 groups through tomorrow. No progress with our prospective buyers - so it's back to open house and hoping for some serious buyers tomorrow. We had a private appointment at 10am so hoping that might be fruitful.
Let's see how we go!
Friday, July 20, 2012
Thursday, July 19, 2012
Stressful days... and more to come I suspect
Today was a difficult day.
I think that stress is making my memory less effective - in fact, I'm sure it is...
I had rearranged some meetings today to allow me time to get home to show a family through the house this afternoon. I thought everything was under control.
Turns out I was wrong.
The first inkling I had that something was amiss was when one of my team showed up looking all "business like" while the rest of us were in jeans and more casual clothes - when I asked what she had on she reminded me about a meeting I'd completely forgotten that I had committed to attend. In fact - I had organised the damn thing!
Oops.
Fortunately I was only expected to dial in and I managed to get home early enough to dial in - and only had to excuse myself a few minutes early....
But because I had to get home in time to dial in, I had to bring everything else forwards by an hour - which meant I lost my buffer zone... Add to that some unexpected complications from a big campaign I'm working on and my day went to shit.
I had someone call to make an appointment to see the house - whose number I took down, deleted the message and then walked out leaving his number on my desk...
A certificate I had to fix got done in a flurry of stress and my grateful thanks to the amazing women in my team who helped arrange postage for me while I bolted out of the office to get a train home...
But, I made it.
The family who came back (for the 3rd visit) had a friend with them who's in the building trade and asked for a copy of the contract.
It's wishful thinking to think that we could cancel this week's inspection - but I've started looking for a "sold" sticker....
Getting ahead of myself?
Only time will tell.
(oh and up to 1155 hits on the website)
I think that stress is making my memory less effective - in fact, I'm sure it is...
I had rearranged some meetings today to allow me time to get home to show a family through the house this afternoon. I thought everything was under control.
Turns out I was wrong.
The first inkling I had that something was amiss was when one of my team showed up looking all "business like" while the rest of us were in jeans and more casual clothes - when I asked what she had on she reminded me about a meeting I'd completely forgotten that I had committed to attend. In fact - I had organised the damn thing!
Oops.
Fortunately I was only expected to dial in and I managed to get home early enough to dial in - and only had to excuse myself a few minutes early....
But because I had to get home in time to dial in, I had to bring everything else forwards by an hour - which meant I lost my buffer zone... Add to that some unexpected complications from a big campaign I'm working on and my day went to shit.
I had someone call to make an appointment to see the house - whose number I took down, deleted the message and then walked out leaving his number on my desk...
A certificate I had to fix got done in a flurry of stress and my grateful thanks to the amazing women in my team who helped arrange postage for me while I bolted out of the office to get a train home...
But, I made it.
The family who came back (for the 3rd visit) had a friend with them who's in the building trade and asked for a copy of the contract.
It's wishful thinking to think that we could cancel this week's inspection - but I've started looking for a "sold" sticker....
Getting ahead of myself?
Only time will tell.
(oh and up to 1155 hits on the website)
Tuesday, July 17, 2012
3rd Inspection....
So, it seems this week that things are getting interesting... just as I'm about to disappear out of town for a week's holiday with my Dad, sister, oldest son and nephew....
The couple who have inspected the property over the past 2 weekends - the ones who were telling me that they thought the price was $100K too much... just got in touch to say that they want to come back and have another look. That's great news!
I might have to move some things around at work to make it happen but I'm sure we'll figure something out. It's good to finally have some "nibbles" - I just hope that if they are interested we can get it all sorted out quickly before I go away - or they decide to take another week to think about it so I can sort it out when I get back.
I don't really want to leave Mark in charge. Though I may not have a choice. If that's the case I'll be leaving some *very clear* instructions. I think though if these people want to buy it will be at a much lower price than we've considered so far - so it will be food for thought for us.
In other news we've hit 1000 hits on the website and it's only Tuesday - so we'd be hoping for another great Saturday of inspections!
Do I dare hope that we don't have to do any more Saturday inspections?
The couple who have inspected the property over the past 2 weekends - the ones who were telling me that they thought the price was $100K too much... just got in touch to say that they want to come back and have another look. That's great news!
I might have to move some things around at work to make it happen but I'm sure we'll figure something out. It's good to finally have some "nibbles" - I just hope that if they are interested we can get it all sorted out quickly before I go away - or they decide to take another week to think about it so I can sort it out when I get back.
I don't really want to leave Mark in charge. Though I may not have a choice. If that's the case I'll be leaving some *very clear* instructions. I think though if these people want to buy it will be at a much lower price than we've considered so far - so it will be food for thought for us.
In other news we've hit 1000 hits on the website and it's only Tuesday - so we'd be hoping for another great Saturday of inspections!
Do I dare hope that we don't have to do any more Saturday inspections?
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Some excitement...
Today was a little bit exciting.
That woman who called yesterday came over with her husband to inspect the house - Mark showed her through. She must have liked the house because she asked him to get the contract emailed to her ASAP and said that she was going to come back at 4pm with a friend. She also said that if they decided to buy they wanted to do a quick sale... Only thing was when they asked about price Mark under quoted. I had something to say about that but he did his best... and she did plan on coming back.
I was at a conference today so Mark contacted me and with my fan-dangle (technical term) smart phone I managed to email the contract through and got a leave pass to head home early to be here for the 2nd inspection.
Mark said she didn't seem as keen 2nd time through (though she might just be keeping her cards close to her chest). They were doing lots of talking in Mandarin, which I don't speak so I'm not sure what they were saying... When they left I asked if there was any interest and they said that they'd be in touch.
Once again we need to sit on our hands and just wait it out. Would be great to get a couple of offers...
At least we've now had 2 repeat inspections...
That woman who called yesterday came over with her husband to inspect the house - Mark showed her through. She must have liked the house because she asked him to get the contract emailed to her ASAP and said that she was going to come back at 4pm with a friend. She also said that if they decided to buy they wanted to do a quick sale... Only thing was when they asked about price Mark under quoted. I had something to say about that but he did his best... and she did plan on coming back.
I was at a conference today so Mark contacted me and with my fan-dangle (technical term) smart phone I managed to email the contract through and got a leave pass to head home early to be here for the 2nd inspection.
Mark said she didn't seem as keen 2nd time through (though she might just be keeping her cards close to her chest). They were doing lots of talking in Mandarin, which I don't speak so I'm not sure what they were saying... When they left I asked if there was any interest and they said that they'd be in touch.
Once again we need to sit on our hands and just wait it out. Would be great to get a couple of offers...
At least we've now had 2 repeat inspections...
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Open House: finally someone comes back, and my theory proves to be true...
So, today's inspection was good for 2 reasons. The most important reason was that a couple who came to look at the house last week and who seemed interested came back - and they came back with a set of parents (not sure if they are his or hers). They are the couple who when I called during the week were positive, but also positive that the price should be $100K lower than what we're asking.
You know, I thought "maybe we're being greedy "- so after that conversation I did some research and the only houses I could find in this area in the price range that they are looking at have 2 things in common:
1. On a main road - with NO chance of street parking
and
2. Have a steep block like our land.
Oh and they're not in Roseville either, they're in neighbouring Chatswood (not sure what difference that makes though, to be honest).
I left out a list of sold properties in our street for the past 12 months to give an indication that I know what the market is doing and I know someone picked one up (I'm just not sure who). I think I'm going to give my uncle (who used to be a real estate agent) to pick his brains as to what to do if they make an offer that is so low we don't want to consider it... Everyone else we've asked about price has said they think we're in the ball park (I wonder if there is an Australian equivalent of this slang word - in the cricket ground or rugby field just doesn't sound right... but I digress).
The 2nd good thing that happened today was that 9 people showed up - exactly what I had predicted after the page hits this week. I haven't been logged on to the Internet at all today so I'm not sure when the 50 hits that happened between 10pm last night and 6pm tonight when I checked arrived. But I had a phone call today from a woman who wants to come to inspect by appointment tomorrow so that will be the extra 50 accounted for!
So after today's inspection we're at 800 page hits... I guess we'll see if the theory continues to hold as we move onwards...
The sun was shining and we had a good day. Perhaps we'll get a (reasonable) offer soon? Who knows!
You know, I thought "maybe we're being greedy "- so after that conversation I did some research and the only houses I could find in this area in the price range that they are looking at have 2 things in common:
1. On a main road - with NO chance of street parking
and
2. Have a steep block like our land.
Oh and they're not in Roseville either, they're in neighbouring Chatswood (not sure what difference that makes though, to be honest).
I left out a list of sold properties in our street for the past 12 months to give an indication that I know what the market is doing and I know someone picked one up (I'm just not sure who). I think I'm going to give my uncle (who used to be a real estate agent) to pick his brains as to what to do if they make an offer that is so low we don't want to consider it... Everyone else we've asked about price has said they think we're in the ball park (I wonder if there is an Australian equivalent of this slang word - in the cricket ground or rugby field just doesn't sound right... but I digress).
The 2nd good thing that happened today was that 9 people showed up - exactly what I had predicted after the page hits this week. I haven't been logged on to the Internet at all today so I'm not sure when the 50 hits that happened between 10pm last night and 6pm tonight when I checked arrived. But I had a phone call today from a woman who wants to come to inspect by appointment tomorrow so that will be the extra 50 accounted for!
So after today's inspection we're at 800 page hits... I guess we'll see if the theory continues to hold as we move onwards...
The sun was shining and we had a good day. Perhaps we'll get a (reasonable) offer soon? Who knows!
Friday, July 13, 2012
Saturday inspection number 6: Theory testing week 2..
Tomorrow will be our 6th Saturday on the market. Tonight's tidy up has been particularly difficult - I think it's because it's been raining a bit this week as well as school holidays and so we've had both Mark and Liam at home for a lot of the week...
It just seems to have taken FOREVER to get my part of the house tidied up tonight.
Testing again my theory of 1 "group" through to inspect for every 50 hits on "realestate.com.au" I'm checking in with the hits before packing up my computer. We're at 751 at 10pm. Last week after the inspection the hits were at 300, to using my theory the extra 451 hits we've had this week should bring in 9 "groups" tomorrow. I'd be pretty pleased with 9 groups through, that would be one of our most successful inspection days.
But really just one "group" with a realistic offer would suit me just fine.
I do wonder if we'll get any "repeats" tomorrow - 54 people through so far... I know it's just a matter of getting people through so we'll persevere... Certainly much better than the house I popped in to look at. I was the only person who'd arrived half way through the inspection and there was no one else there when I left. I'd rather be in our position than theirs!
Here's waiting to see what tomorrow brings.
It just seems to have taken FOREVER to get my part of the house tidied up tonight.
Testing again my theory of 1 "group" through to inspect for every 50 hits on "realestate.com.au" I'm checking in with the hits before packing up my computer. We're at 751 at 10pm. Last week after the inspection the hits were at 300, to using my theory the extra 451 hits we've had this week should bring in 9 "groups" tomorrow. I'd be pretty pleased with 9 groups through, that would be one of our most successful inspection days.
But really just one "group" with a realistic offer would suit me just fine.
I do wonder if we'll get any "repeats" tomorrow - 54 people through so far... I know it's just a matter of getting people through so we'll persevere... Certainly much better than the house I popped in to look at. I was the only person who'd arrived half way through the inspection and there was no one else there when I left. I'd rather be in our position than theirs!
Here's waiting to see what tomorrow brings.
Saturday, July 7, 2012
We're now in month 2....
So today was the beginning of the 2nd month of selling our home. The statistics say that it takes on average 90 days to sell in this area, although it seems as though nothing much is "moving" at the moment.
Onwards and upwards...
It was a beautiful sunny day today and we had 8 (maybe 9) groups show up to inspect the house. I say maybe 9 because a car pulled up after we'd started to shut up the house but she (or he) pulled away before Ilana got down the street to invite her (him) inside.
Technically it was only 7 though, because the 8th couple got out of the car and a short way along the path, and then decided "we don't want to do this every day" so they left.
I think there were a few people worth following up today - one couple asked me to email a copy of the contract (done) and our next door neighbour (renting) was raving about it...
The theory seemed to work with the number of people who showed up. When I check the "hits" this afternoon after the inspection it was just over 300 so that's the number we'll work from and continue this test next week.
We're getting a bit tired of tidying up each week but at least it's only once a week now. The up side is that our laundry is up to date and the house is never *too messy*. But it's still a pain - no matter though the pain would still be here if we were selling with an agent cause we'd still have to tidy up - so I'm not yet convinced that an agent is the way to go.... but then again we don't have a "sold" sign up either.
I went to look at a house today and was the only person there and from the look of the agent's list the only one who'd shown up with 15 mins left to go - at least people are still showing up to look at our place. When that stops I think I'm going to worry some... Otherwise it's just a matter of time.
Let's see what this week brings!
Onwards and upwards...
It was a beautiful sunny day today and we had 8 (maybe 9) groups show up to inspect the house. I say maybe 9 because a car pulled up after we'd started to shut up the house but she (or he) pulled away before Ilana got down the street to invite her (him) inside.
Technically it was only 7 though, because the 8th couple got out of the car and a short way along the path, and then decided "we don't want to do this every day" so they left.
I think there were a few people worth following up today - one couple asked me to email a copy of the contract (done) and our next door neighbour (renting) was raving about it...
The theory seemed to work with the number of people who showed up. When I check the "hits" this afternoon after the inspection it was just over 300 so that's the number we'll work from and continue this test next week.
We're getting a bit tired of tidying up each week but at least it's only once a week now. The up side is that our laundry is up to date and the house is never *too messy*. But it's still a pain - no matter though the pain would still be here if we were selling with an agent cause we'd still have to tidy up - so I'm not yet convinced that an agent is the way to go.... but then again we don't have a "sold" sign up either.
I went to look at a house today and was the only person there and from the look of the agent's list the only one who'd shown up with 15 mins left to go - at least people are still showing up to look at our place. When that stops I think I'm going to worry some... Otherwise it's just a matter of time.
Let's see what this week brings!
Friday, July 6, 2012
So, it's 22.47pm on Friday night and there have been 272 hits on the (new) ad. I reckon there were about 115 on the old ad before the stuff up. Based on those calculations and the theory we should have 6 - 8 "groups" through tomorrow.
Let's see what happens, huh?
By the way, new ads can be found here:
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-roseville-110955843
and
http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Roseville/?adid=2009792908
I'll be sure to check in and see how accurate our theory was after the inspection...
Here's hoping for a buyer tomorrow!
Let's see what happens, huh?
By the way, new ads can be found here:
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-nsw-roseville-110955843
and
http://www.domain.com.au/Property/For-Sale/House/NSW/Roseville/?adid=2009792908
I'll be sure to check in and see how accurate our theory was after the inspection...
Here's hoping for a buyer tomorrow!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
Testing theories and more stuff ups....
One of the theories I'm testing this week is if the number of "hits" on the "realestate.com.au" website has any correlation to the number of people through on the weekend. As at last weekend we'd had 46 "groups" through, and just over 2200 hits... so about 1 "group" for every 50 hits.
Unfortunately we've had another "hiccup" with the "forsalebyowner" advertising... This time it's because they have re-branded on both "domain" and "realestate.com.au" as "forsalebyowner" not the other branding "for sale, for rent" which it was under before. The downsides to this upgrade (that I've noticed so far"
- The advertisement reverted to an older edit - one that didn't have the "inspect as advertised or by appointment" with my direct phone.
- The inspection times had disappeared (again!)
- The floor plan had disappeared
I only noticed the inspection times had disappeared because I got an enquiry - so I sent an email advising as such, then I noticed the older ad, and send another email, by the time I realised the floor plan had disappeared I decided I couldn't be bothered. I uploaded again and hope it will refresh soon. That's not as important as the other bits though.
The only good thing? The ad has a "new" sign on it, so might improve our numbers for Saturday. Before the refresh we were up to about 2315 hits, so I was expecting on those numbers 3 groups through. After the refresh we're up to 115, so hopefully that will be 5 or 6 people total. I guess we'll see on Saturday!
I also wonder whether the "forsalebyowner" branding will now mean I get stacks of agents calling?
We'll wait and see!
.....
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