We've been getting a nibble here and there regarding our house for sale. So far we have been advertising solely in Jewish publications, hoping that a frum couple will be added back to the community when we leave. A few of the telephone calls have been kind of strange. One woman wanted a detailed list of the colors I've used throughout the house, walls and carpeting. I obliged and told her, to which she answered "No, I'm sorry, those colors are not what I'm looking for." Okaaay. Someone else, never having seen our house but telling me that he's been to Staten Island, started bargaining on the price of the house over the phone. He told me that he wouldn't come see the house until we'd come to a "better" price for it. We parted company. A third person was sure the paper had put in the wrong price for the house because how could a "country-type" place like Staten Island ask for prices like that.
Someone else dropped in unannounced along with her mother and mother in law. Those of you who have read my postings on the world of my backyard will know that we back up to woods behind our property. The result is a very private setting--no neighbors who might be getting glimpses of life in the K house that I'd rather keep private. We also have a very large backyard and patio area. And the house itself may be fairly typical for SI but is large by Brooklyn/Queens standards. So what was the problem? It was just too quiet here. The house was "too isolated." Where were the people who should have been walking up and down the block? Where was the hustle and bustle that spelled vibrant Jewish community? (And where was the phone call asking me if they could drop in?!)
There's a Yiddish saying that is used when you want to indicate that something seems to be illogical or slightly (or more than slightly) ridiculous--"Die kallah is tzee shoen gevein." (Literally "The kallah was too pretty) It can also indicate irony. With one exception, our "kallah"--house--has been "too pretty" for those who have seen it. Ah well, I remind myself that, like shidduchim, it only takes one to make a match. Our kallah has not been on the marriage scene long enough for me to worry that it will remain an old maid.
7 comments:
I think it's praiseworthy that you are only advertising in Jewish publications, but unrealistic. You really want the biggest pool of buyers available. Plus, you are not selling your house as a chessed: presumably you need to get the most $$$ possible. Third, it's possible that a non-Jewish buyer may be easier to deal with.
Agree with Tesyaa that it's nice that you want to sell to someone frum for the sake of the community, but it's not realistic. The pool of frum buyers who might want your area is too small to assure that you'll sell in a reasonable amount of time. If you want to sell you'll have to open the house to the broader market.
On my parents block in SI, most of the recent buyers are Indians. I don't know what block your house is on, but the same may hold true there.
Mark
I agree with what was written above and add the following:
When we bought our house last year, we never would have even thought about looking in Jewish newspapers for real estate. You might not even be giving notice to as many frum families as you might think you are.
Eventually, if things don't pick up (although I certainly hope they do for you), there's always home staging...
this is the worst market for a seller. there is an abundance of houses on the market, so buyer can be pickier and haggle more. on the other hand, people are afraid to make such a large financial commitment right now. even those ready to jump into it have found it almost impossible to get a mortgage (regardless of credit/employment history)
it's a good sign you had some interest, even if it didn't work out.
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