Buyers in control, for now
Published March 17th, 2008 in Buyers, Sellers, The MarketIt’s still buyer vs. seller — chicagotribune.com
The Trib’s feature real estate story this week points out something that’s painfully obvious to those of you trying to sell your homes right now: the buyers are in control, and not just by having a large selection. Buyers know that some sellers are desperate to move, and are demanding everything from simple inspection item repairs to furniture and new appliances with their offers.
Of course, this can get out of hand, and the example in the article of one buyer demanding that a flat screen TV and surround sound system be thrown in with the home is extreme. But as a seller, you can avoid some irritating requests by taking care of all those nagging repairs you’ve been living with at home–the bathroom door that doesn’t quite shut, the bathtub that needs more caulking, the furnace that runs a little hot, or the water heater that runs a little cold. These can be surprisingly simple to fix up front, but can become a major point of contention during a heated negotiation process.
