There is so much “conventional wisdom” about how a house must be in order to sell, that I discount nearly all of it. A woman down our street thinks the reason she can’t sell her house is because the driveway appears “too steep.” So she had the driveway widened (at no small expense) to give the illusion of a more moderate slope. The house is still for sale. (If she brought her price down to the market level, she might have more luck.)

I think an argument could be made that not putting in granite and stainless steel (and wide driveways) will help sell a house. I know some buyers are looking for a more blank canvas to work with and might object when some of these kinds of choices are more or less already and irrevocably made for them.

It sounds to me like the agent was hoping to score a commission with little or no work on her part. Yes, adding all of the premium amenities probably helps move a house quicker in a slow market. But having a house in the proper price spot in the neighborhood mix probably does more.
I tend to think the blank canvas mentality is more a generational thing and seems to be fading from the younger homebuyer’s thought process. Mostly, they seem to want it all now, not five or ten years down the road.

It’s interesting that the agent is the one who sold me my house years ago. She’s very successful, but it also sounds as if she’ subscribed to real estate group think in a big way.

1. If the house doesn’t sell within two weeks, it’s going to be on the market for a long time.

2. It’s the first people who come to look at it who are going to buy it.

3. Dropping the price turns people off.

Maybe times have really changed. I’ve bought and sold six houses over the years and it is wonderful when a house sells within the first week or two. That’s happened to me. But I’ve also had houses on the market for a month or two. The first people who walk through the door may be the most enthusiastic and they may want it, but that doesn’t translate (in more cases than I’d like to remember) to a sold house. Deals fall through often. Financing can’t be obtained or any number of other snags will pop up. The second tier of shoppers will usually yield a solid buyer. And there are people who will wait for a price to drop. (Raising my hand!)

It’s a slow and lousy market right now. It’s going to take patience. But after yesterday’s talk with the real estate agent, my friend is scared to death and is being pressured into bargain basement pricing on her house to get it sold in two weeks. I just do not agree with that approach at all.

And I am also one who would prefer a blanker canvas in a house than one all decked out in someone else’s vision of finery. I’m more interested in good plumbing, good electricals, solid floor joists, and a good roof. Up here in the northeast, where we have basements, there’s a lot of opportunity for dry rot and post beetles. If everything is solid in the basement, it’s already a pretty good house. The rest is more or less icing on the cake.

"raise a whole other conversation"

Such a pun.

The median (median!) price of a single-family home on Oahu last month was $685K.

I’m not really sure what the median is here.  For the most part, you can’t get anything for under $400k and that buys you a very modest dwelling. There aren’t that many modest dwellings in this town. Apparently the prices are drifting downward here, but it seems to be the difference between a 1.2 million dollar home and a 1 million dollar home. I can recall about 4 years ago when a 1 million dollar home was unusual. Not anymore. If you happen to own one, that’s a nice chunk of change. And, probably, pretty painful to see it losing value every month.

I suppose it’s nice till you get the property tax assessment notice.  Particularly if you’re in the “house rich, cash poor” situation.

heh fashion

I agree with the blank canvas theme.  Much as I might admire (and do) my friends with their stainless steel this and that and granite countertops and over the top cupboards and so on, there isn’t one of their kitchens that I would desperately want in my house.  I like white and yellow and bright colors and a cheery room, and none of what they like appeals to me.  So, even though they have spent thousands and thousands of dollars on their new kitchens, it would not convince me to buy.......but then that’s me.

Just did three bathrooms here and did vanities, fixtures, floors all white, put the colors I love on the walls cause that is easy for someone to change, but everyone can live with white and white is what they are!! ;)

Keep talking about those bathrooms, Cyn. If there’s anything that needs updating in my house, it’s the bathroom. It was CLEARLY not designed by a female or anyone else with a shred of taste.

I’m torn between a pedestal sink and something like this.