In a study conducted by the NAR in 2006, it was discovered that neighborhood quality was the number one factor in the choice of whether or not to puchase a home. You could have the absolute gem of a home...but, if the neighborhood isnt up to par, it will reflect on the selling ability of the home.
So, if your neighborhood lacks a bit....or alot....check out this quick list of ideas that can help improve the area your listing is sitting in...and potentially help selling your home for the highest amount possible.
- Make a deal with your neighbors -- If it is the neighbor's homes that are dragging down the perception of the area (and dragging your listing down with it), why not approach them with an offer to pay for a landscaper to give thier yard a good quality makover? Now, many of you may ask at this point why you would do something like that. Well, the answer is quite simple. Improving the look of the homes around your listing will improve the over-all perception of the neighborhood...thus improving the perception of your listing....making it easier to sell it for the highest amount possible.
- Team up with others -- If you are not the only one looking to sell a home in the area and the entire lot of you are faced with the same problem, then team up with one another and do something about it. An organized effort for a weekend or two picking up garbage, painting fences, covering grafitti, pulling weeds, etc., could have a huge increase in the over-all likability of the area. Not only that, but its good for the community and you would probably inspire others to assist in keeping thier 'hood cleaner and neater.
- Call your Chamber of Commerce -- Many cities have organized neighborhood clean-up programs that are sponsered by the city. They usually work with a good number of volunteer oraganizations that select an area each month -- or adopt and area permanently -- to clean up or improve. Ask if you can nominate your neighborhood for such an endeavor.
If you need any help getting buyers for your listings, please contact Clint at 800-977-7058 or go directly to www.recr.com for more information.
Clint,
Good ideas! What ever happened to the old Clean up, Paint up, Fix up campaigns they used to promote in schools??? Thanks, Fran
Fran -- Im sure they went down in flames along with funding for choir, band, sports, and recess. Good idea, though! I didnt even think about that one. Thanks!! And thanks for being the first to comment...and for the validation that these are good ideas. I appreciate that.
Clint, great idea to "Make a deal with your neighbors" a few dollars spent could be a nice return, plus a good deed to the neighbor.
Duane -- Thanks! I actually work with an agent here in my office that gave me this idea. He had a listing next to a nice house, but the yard looked like the bottom of a chicken coop. So, he spoke with the neighbors, and had a landscaper come in and re-do the entire lawn. He sold the listing in a week. It had been on the market for 2 months. So, things like that work.
Clint - great ideas. As for the Clean Up, Paint Up, Fix Up campaigns, I am sure that could be restarted, I like the idea of a realtor group in conjunction with chamber and some other org like Habitat for Humanity getting it going.
Mike -- That is an excellent idea. Im sure that local real estate boards could push for that and get it done rather well. Fantastic addition to this conversation! Thank you very much!
Clint, great idea on his part, thanks for sharing.
Duane -- Isnt that what this place is for?? :-)