Ok, I was on the treadmill trying to wake up this morning and I was wondering what I would write about on this blog before I left the house today.   I'm always thinking about what motivates sellers.  Sometimes I wonder why they put their homes on the market when after you've shown them the statistics they want to price their home above the market.  Most times its a figure higher than what is recommended. Yes, I know what some of you are thinking...they want room to negotiate...am I right?  How did I know that?  I've sold a few of my personal homes in the past, and (banish the thought)without a realtor.   Actually, I've made money on every house I've sold but let me tell you, It was just plain ole good luck.  One was on an adjustable rate mortgage and I signed up a young newlywed couple that had no credit but were willing to buy it above the market if I would sell it to them.  Another occasion my house was on the market for a year and a half.  That one was listed with a realtor.  I look back and think, wow...she was very patient.  I was not cooperative about lowering my price.  I did not have to move (I had another property I wanted to build on).  Actually, realtors don't mind this so much if the seller does not blame the realtor when it sits on the market without selling.  We're usually glad to have the listing and it helps us keep our name out in the neighborhood even though the printing cost for the tube flyers are sky high and drive bys in some areas are very active.  The amazing thing to me is when sellers become frustrated that their house has not sold, yet they have not lowered their price at the realtor's recommendation and they have virtually ignored the cold hard statistical facts.  Folks, if you need to sell your house, hire a good realtor, do some research of your own and compare what you find to that of your realtor's market analysis and put it on the market at a realistic price.  Your best chance to sell your home is within the first three weeks its on the market and after that buyer interest begins a steady decline and it becomes "shop worn".  Also, the average buyer is very educated about the market.  Statistics indicate that they do about 3 months worth of their own research on the internet before they even begin looking for a realtor.  They will not look at your house if it is priced out of the market for the area.  The reality check is this, if your home has set on the market for several months and you've had almost no traffic through your house, it is probably priced too high.  If its been on the market for several months but you've had lots of traffic, the price is probably right but there is something odd about your house that is turning people away.  In that case, work with your realtor to find out what it is and correct the problem.  In either case, the market has spoken.  It might actually save you money if you listen!

Bernie