<p>I’m happy to report the divvying up went pretty smoothly. We started with the furniture and I got the desk I really wanted (made by my great grandfather) which you can close to hide the mess. It was the only thing I really, really wanted. I got a silver chest I also really like. We took turns who went first for different categories, and sometimes when just two people wanted the same thing we just drew straws for them. I thought it all went pretty smoothly. There were a couple of things like our collection of Japanese cups where after we thought we’d divided them we’d fine more scattered about the house. So I missed out on my favorite one because it was hiding in the bathroom!</p>
<p>Now have two houses for sale on my block, one on either side of me. Praying for nice new neighbors!</p>
<p>Done getting the house show ready – again – and waiting for yet another potential buyer. We’re starting month number four of our listing. To answer the thread title, it’s not going so well down here in Texas. I’m pretty sure it has to do with our price range (luxury home category) since nobody in our neighborhood has had an offer in months. Two more houses popped up in the last couple of weeks that make ours look like a steal.</p>
<p>Gotta go throw some laundry baskets in my trunk and make myself scarce. Wish us luck!</p>
<p>Lorelei, I hear you about the jewelry. My mom’s rule was no jewelry to female inlaws–only to female blood relatives. My sis and I are the only siblings, and we were told that the jewelry we got from our mom could only go to our daughters or granddaughters. We each have a daughter and I have a son–so if I follow my mom’s rule (and even though she’s been gone for 6 years, I think she’ll know) anything going to the son has to go to HIS daughter–if he ever has one.</p>
<p>This avoids the problem of pieces going out of the family!</p>
<p>dg5052 – I’m really glad my in-laws didn’t follow that theory. I have my husband’s grandmother’s engagement ring, and I treasure it, and the connection back to the “old country.” I think that even if H and had split that I’d been moral enough to give it back to his family, though I know that isn’t legally an obligation.</p>
<p>JustTryHarder…is there something about your house that stands out in your neighborhood?</p>
<p>Good luck…</p>
<p>Our house has been for sale for just over two weeks now. The first week we had seven showings. We were so excited. The second week only one showing… no offers…not excited.<br>
As far as we know there’s only one showing lined up for the coming week.
My next door neighbor’s house is also for sale. Haven’t decided yet if that’s good or bad. </p>
<p>There are prob. ten homes for sale in my neighborhood. Mine is priced right in the mid-point. Would love it if we could sell this house before S2 finishes the semester and has to move back home. That won’t be pretty!</p>
<p>packmom…your house is the best priced of the 10 for what you get?</p>
<p>If you were a buyer, would you choose your house?</p>
<p>^ House to buy / house that is sold, is The House that makes the decision maker happy. :)</p>
<p>Dstark, we’re on a golf course in what is considered a very desirable neighborhood …gracious older homes, large trees, big lots. House has been somewhat updated (granite counters, updated master bath) although it is not the brand new Mcmansion that Texans can buy if they’re willing to live in one of the master-planned developments that are popular here (where homes have movie theaters and massive square footage). We’ve priced ours very reasonably since DH is already living/working in another city. Still no bites.</p>
<p>What gets me is the number of people who schedule showings and don’t even have their own house listed yet. They’re just thinking about it. Seems like a waste of everyone’s time.</p>
<p>“What gets me is the number of people who schedule showings and don’t even have their own house listed yet. They’re just thinking about it. Seems like a waste of everyone’s time.”</p>
<p>I hated that too when we sold our house last year.</p>
<p>People making appointments to see the place with no intention or means of buying it. Echh…</p>
<p>Sounds like a nice place.</p>
<p>I guess looking at houses is something that goes as cheap entertainment these days.</p>
<p>People do pay to see the mansions in Newport, RI and I don’t think that any of those tourists are planning to buy. Maybe that’s an idea: $10 admission fee to view a house for sale, refundable if you buy the place.</p>
<p>That will definitely cut out some of these non-buyers…</p>
<p>Actually our next door neighbor was on a Tour of Homes in our town a couple of years ago. They had gutted and remodeled and it gave her contractor/builder son a chance to show off his work. Tickets were $15.00. I’m sure part of the proceeds went to a charity somewhere, but this went on for an entire month. I can’t imagine charging people to come gawk at my house and inspect my stuff.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’ve had gawkers schedule showings just for the heck of it, but they definitely appear at Open House. I’m OK with that - heck, you never know, it could lead to something - but I’ve always kind of hated it when neighbors came over just to be nosy and see what everything looks like inside.</p>
<p>For charity…it can be a good way to raise money…</p>
<p>Charity would be a great idea - you remove those that aren’t really interested and people that are really interested get to feel good.</p>
<p>Sorry I wasn’t clear…neighbor’s house wasn’t actually for sale. They were just part of a local tour of homes program that is supposed to showcase the work of local builders who hope to drum up future business.</p>
<p>But I suppose I could suggest to my agent that she host a charity open house for my home. Around these parts it might actually work.</p>
<p>Unless there is some thing special in your home, to charge some one money to view an “open house” is going to bring negative results to the sale, not in today’s market. Now a days, developers give out free food and entertainment just to have some foot traffic in their new development and even that did not have enough actions.</p>
<p>In a down market, price is everything. If you price the house favorably, it will sell.</p>
<p>We sold our first house ourselves, way back in the early 90s. We were appalled at the number of people who would make an appointment to see the house, then not show up. We held several open houses. The eventual buyer just knocked on our door one day to see if he could look at the house. We said sure, and he was the one! That was in the middle of another downturn, and it took us a year to sell. It worked out, though, because we were able to buy a lot on a river for not much money. If the economy had been strong, we could never have afforded it.</p>