It’s quiet around the traps isn’t it and it’s not just home opens. I do my shopping on Saturday mornings. No matter how I try to organise my weekly grocery shop on other days I always end up having to buy something on Saturday. I wish I didn’t because it’s busy and I have difficulty finding a parking spot that isn’t miles away. Even when I make the big effort to get there early the crowds are already there – milling around, drinking coffee, having breakfast, browsing the book store or reading papers waiting for the shops to open. I thought most people enjoyed a bit of a lie-in on Saturday mornings but not this lot!
Last weekend – June 26 – was my son’s birthday, we were having a family get together and, as usual, there were some last minute things I needed. It was 9:30 by the time I set off and I was inwardly groaning at my own tardiness. But oh joy, I found a parking spot close to the entry. Into the centre I trotted and lo and behold it was nearly empty. Where were they all? Perhaps the minus 0.6 degree morning had something to do with it! Yes, I’m sure that was it – all but the absolute die-hard shoppers were home in bed.
No such luxury for the guys and girls behind the counters though. It’s business as usual for them whether there is anyone to serve or not. They’re used to the ups and downs of the trade and they know the buyers will be back sooner or later.
It’s the same with home opens right now and it’s frustrating when you’ve cleaned and polished, bought fresh flowers and not a single person comes along. When you’re a real estate agent doing this job all the time you know it is just one of those things but when you’re the seller, and especially if you’re showing the home, it’s depressing. The only consolation is that it is the same for everyone else in your price bracket and your immediate area – you’re never alone even if it feels as if you are.
So what’s going on? Frankly, there’s plenty going on - it’s end of the financial year; interest rates are up; we have a new federal government; the global economy is a worry; the stock market is behaving badly; school holidays are here; it’s the soccer world cup; newspapers are reporting softening house prices and it’s cold!
Goodness, you would think the combination of all of those things would bring the market to a complete standstill however it never does stop. It just ticks over more slowly for a while.
So, what to do? Well, you either keep going or you get off the roundabout. If you have to stay on it and sell then here are some important issues to take on board -
- accept that we are in a buyers’ market when typically they browse one day, stay home another day
- understand that each day is a new opportunity to sell – that will help you stay positive
- open for inspection each and every weekend regardless. Open on the right day for your area and at the same time as everyone else
- forget the $$$$s - concentrate on finding a buyer. Use a ‘from’ price instead of a fixed price to attract real interest (you can always say ‘No’) and trust your agent to negotiate the price up (you can always say ‘No’)
