When you don't have "more money", you need resilience and fortitude. Like for ALL life issues. And those who constantly throw money at problems lack the mental tools to deal with issues which money cannot cure. |
Obviously you aren't working with an agent. Your "despair" is justified until you start thinking smarter. Get an agent and pay attention to what the agent tells you. |
Look, the market is fine, there are houses available. The fact that you've been outbid so many times means there is something wrong with your approach, namely that you are trying to underbid market value. That's fine but don't complain about it. |
Okay. so keep underbidding on houses until market crashes and your prices actually meet your expectations. I guess that is fortitude. What exactly is your advice, when their problem is others are willing to pay more for the sale house they want? |
A good friend tried to sell his house with a disclosed oil tank (different market, several years ago). He got nowhere. His agent finally convinced him to remove the tank and re-list. He then immediately received offers that were significantly above previous list price plus his cost to remedy. The thing is buyers, especially first time buyers, have no stomach for repairs. That can mean a property with an issue like the tank, will actually sell under market value as the repair depresses the price by more than it will cost to fix. If you’re losing out on turn key, and you have an idea what this issue could cost, it’s one way to get a house in this market. Also, you don’t need to deal with the tank day one, you just want to budget for it’s removal will before you plan to sell.
Beyond shopping for such a house you need to figure out what you can bring to the table, more money, free rent back, quicker closing, fewer contingencies. Money is the most sure fire but it means shopping bellow budget, as the PP said. |
Get a new agent. Call agents that WON the houses you lost and pick one. |
+1 Every house that I’ve seen that is listed significantly over comps has sat for 30+ days. A lot of people who list in the winter do so because their house can’t compete in the spring. |
OP. Someone who cannot describe the real estate market in adult terms may not provide the best price. As others have mentioned, this is a time to bid with less competition and with less desirable houses that could also be overpriced. By mid January, better houses will be coming on the market and some may start bidding wars which will raise the market price of similar houses. Look at houses that have not been cosmetically prepared for the market. There is a house on the market on my neighborhood that has hideous blue carpeting and dusty drapes, but underneath, it is like my house on which we have spent little money to make look great. Good luck |
I would disagree. We sold our house 2nd week in January. Listed at recent comps for neighborhood and it still went 300k plus over asking. It all depends on the neighborhood and the house itself. |
We bought our first home in June 2021. We experienced the same despair for years wanting to buy in our neighborhood in DC. Then we started bidding on houses we could afford and got one. There are plenty of houses. We can’t afford to live in our choice neighborhood of DC but that’s not despair over real estate it’s despair over our salaries. |
Befriend a real estate agent. I did and got wind of upcoming listings and made a deal with a seller without the property going on MLS. |
OP here. Yes I am working with an agent! |
Anecdotal. It’s long been established that January and December have lowest median sales prices. I mean if you think about it as a seller there are very few good reasons to list over the holidays. And if your kids are in school you can’t even get a rent back long enough to let them finish out the year (assuming buyer finances). |
Where is the house? Call fannon in Alexandria bc they are expert in dealing w/ old tanks. The tanks are not a huge deal |
6 weeks? Try a year plus for many people. You’ll be fine. |