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A Simple Way to Get Feedback from People Who Tour Your Home

Do you know what people really think of your home?
Heres how to get inside buyers minds.

Hey, homesellers. Are you sick of people coming to look at your house and then never hearing from them again?

Do you wonder why they didnt make an offer? Do you question what they liked? Do you want to know what bothered them? What they thought of the price? The neighborhood? The floor plan? Your decor?

Whenever I have a house for sale, I want feedback. It’s never too late to tweak the staging, add a simple upgrade, get rid of a minor problem, or …dare I say it… lower the price.

Even when working with a Realtor and doing all the right homework (like reading my eBooks), without feedback, you’re guessing how the market sees your home.

Not everyone who views your home will tell his real estate agent what he really thought about your home. If a client acts disinterested, a good agent will probe for reasons, because a good agent wants to know what’s important to her client.

But some people feel bad saying negative things, or they may not understand fully what made them react to your home the way they did. So, not all feedback is helpful or complete.

If a potential home buyer says, “The house is nice, but …”

...But they don’t like the carpeting.
...But kitchen is too small.
...But the appliances have to go.
...But they’re not crazy about the neighborhood.

What they are really saying is the house is overpriced.

Their comments mean they are seeing bigger kitchens, or better flooring, or newer appliances, or nicer neighborhoods for the same price. Without choosing the exact phrasing, they are saying that they know they can get more for their money.

Buyers typically look at similar homes in similar neighborhoods, at a similar price point.
This means you need to know your competition to arrive at a fair asking price.

It’s all about perceived value.

Staging is one way to increase the perceived value of your home. Another way is pricing it correctly. Getting feedback will help you in both cases.

Your Realtor will help you set your asking price. There are objective methods to arrive at fair market value, but fair market value also depends on how the market responds to your home. Thats where feedback comes in handy.

Here is how one Realtor makes it easy to tune into what home buyers are saying about a listing. She simply sends this questionnaire out to every real estate agent who shows the property. She asks them to email or query the client, and get quick answers to these multiple choice questions.

How would you rate the homes curb appeal?

Excellent
Good
Fair
Poor

Some homes have curb appeal on two sides. This home for sale in Florida on the
Intracoastal Waterway needs to look good from front and back.

How did the homes interior look?

Very comfortable and stylish
Clean and organized
Average
Needs improvement

Are there parts of the home that need improving or updating?

No improvements needed
Some exterior improvements needed
Some interior improvements needed
Appliances need updating or upgrading

A home in a subdivision is bound to be compared to the other homes in the same
(and nearby) subdivisions. A seller needs to match or beat these competing homes

How is the home priced compared to other homes?

Price is very appealing
Price seems fair
Home is somewhat overpriced
Home is substantially overpriced

A charming entrance is the beginning of what could become a purchase offer.
Knowing how buyers respond to your home can help you fine tune your property.

Are you considering making an offer on this home?

Undecided
No
Yes

Get the facts!

It takes less than a minute to get answers to these questions. I encourage you to share this idea with your realtor, so you’ll be on your way to knowing what’s good about your property and what might need some attention.

Fix your home to get the best grades possible from potential buyers.

Start by downloading my $4.99 eBook,

DIY Home Staging Tips to Sell Your Home Fast and for Top Dollar.

A Simple Way to Get Feedback from People Who Tour Your Home

Cookies that Welcome People to Your Home

Christmas cookies are one of the most endearing and enduring symbols of the holidays. Every year I bake dozens to give as gifts and to enjoy with family and friends.

Cookies rival candy as an indulgent snack, but they are more healthful. They are less formal than cake, and more satisfying in a homey way.

Cookies are also a guaranteed way to make friends. There is something magical about a cookie. At this time of year, they can pop up anywhere.

Theyre passed around at offices, warehouses, factories, schools and club meetings. They decorate mantels, trees, and packages.

Cookies are a symbol of good cheer, hospitality, festivity, and heritage. Every culture has its traditional cookies -- amaretti, madeleine, kringla, pizelle, biscotti. There are crescents, wafers, squares, bars, spirals, tartlets, and drops. I hear that even Santa has his favorites!

So, for home tours and open houses, cookies are a natural. Here is my absolute favorite cookie recipe.

Sesame Wafers

These crisp and flavorful cookies keep well, travel well, and are not complicated to make. I have been baking these slightly unusual cookies every Christmas season for over 20 years.

1 cup sesame seeds
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Have ready a small bowl for the toasted sesame seeds. Heat a saucepan over medium heat, add seeds, and toast them for about 5 minutes, stirring briskly and constantly. Immediately transfer to bowl. The seeds should have popped, but not be smoking.

This year my 4-year old grandson helped
make cookies, wearing the the cowboy apron
I made for him.

Beat butter with sugar until smooth and creamy. Add eggs and vanilla, and combine well.

In a medium mixing bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add to butter mixture, and mix well. Stir in sesame seeds.

Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or as long as a few days. Dough may also be wrapped in airtight bag and stored in freezer for a few months.

Shape dough into 1/2-inch balls. Place on lightly buttered baking sheets. Flatten to 1/8-inch thickness with a floured, flat-bottom glass.

Bake in a 325-degree oven for 10 minutes, or until lightly browned. Transfer to wire racks to cool. Makes 6 dozen cookies.

Cookies that Welcome People to Your Home