TURKEYS THAT FLEW OFF SHELVES LAST
YEAR NOT TAKING FLIGHT NOW
by Larry Stoller | Nov 1, 2022
Many years ago I saw a real
estate advertisement with a picture of some turkeys, some houses and this text:
“No turkeys in Riverwoods … Our listings sell fast because they are updated,
upgraded, show great, priced right and marketed most effectively.”
That ad always bothered me
because I felt that it was insulting to refer to houses as turkeys. It was also
a bad rap for turkeys and false advertising (as I knew there were a couple of
turkeys in Riverwoods).
Riverwoods was an older
townhome development in Burnsville, Minnesota. A number of the homes there were
dated, had the original furnishings and fixtures, were not well-maintained, and
were difficult to sell. The ones that were updated and upgraded were easy to
market and sell.
In 2006, I moved to Bluffton
and I was surprised to see some turkeys here. In fact, one real estate agent
told me about a turkey that she previewed and showed in a certain Bluffton
plantation.
Recently I noticed a real
estate advertisement that read: “Absolute Turkey.” I called the listing agent
and she told me that it was mistake … it should have read “Absolute
Turnkey.”
I researched the dictionary
definitions of the word “turkey”: 1. A large North American gallinaceous bird
that is domesticated in most parts of the world; 2. A failure, flop, as in a
theatrical production that has failed; 3. Three successive strikes in bowling;
4. A foolish or inept person.
But there was nothing about
houses being called turkeys.
Today’s market has shifted from
the seller’s market of 10 months ago. We’re seeing more inventory, longer days
on the market and multiple price reductions. However, homes that are updated,
upgraded, show well and priced right are selling very well.
In today’s changing real estate
market, your home has to be a top contender (definitely not a turkey) to sell
fast and for the highest possible price.
The transformation from “turkey
house” into “turnkey home” may require making some changes that include new
paint, new flooring, upgraded or new heating/air-conditioning systems, and new
water heater and appliances.
We recently listed a home in
Sun City that was distressed (better than saying it was a turkey). It got new
paint, new floors, new appliances, a deep cleaning – and sold fast.
I wish you all a Happy
Thanksgiving and happy home selling this holiday season.
Larry Stoller is a broker and
Realtor with Real Estate Five of the Lowcountry. Larry@RealEstateFive.com,
RealEstateFive.com