RE: Want More Sales Stats?

Thanks to some sweet props from Unfair Park and Park Cities People I've received quite a few requests for sales stats in different areas. If you haven't already, please email your requests directly to me at jeff@duffeyhomes.com. It might take me a day or so but I will definitely get back to you. Due to the number of requests I won't be posting all of the results I find, that is, unless there is something notable to share about a particular area's sales. And I promise your emails will not go unanswered.

FSBO Takes Me to Task on Pricing Strategy

Seems I caused quite a stir over at Park Cities People blog Overheard. I may have been a little cheeky with my thoughts on the pricing strategy of a home on Beverly Dr. in Highland Park but I certainly didn't expect this type of reaction from one of the homeowners and their friends. You see, they had their home for sale by owner for 2 months at $2.25 million and recently listed with a Realtor for $2.495 million to cover their closing costs and commissions. Am I stupid for thinking a buyer will see right through this?

Check out the post. But more specifically, pay attention to the comments section. Did I really need to respond to their ranting? No. But you should know by now I can't resist a good argument.

I'm Quoted In Park Cities People! Does This Mean I'm Cool?

Check out Kristian Heap's article about a new search engine for home buyers. Roost.com. Dallas is one of the few areas across the nation that is testing this new search platform. I have to say I like this quote,

“If they’ve done their research online and know which neighborhoods they can afford and which neighborhoods they like, they do become qualified buyers — not just in the financial sense, but that they are educating themselves,” Duffey said. “I am happy for any search engine that will help educate the consumer so they can save time, and I can help find the house [buyers] want and get them into it.”

Check it out and let me know what you think! And do you think I'm cool now?

Phil Romano's $17.5 Million Dollar Home

One of my new favorite blog authors, Your Mama the Real Estalker, shamelessly rips apart Mr. Romano's Strait Lane pad in this post. Park Cities People and Dallas Dirt caught wind of it but I saw it first thanks to my source. Thankyouverymuch. Although I think Candy Evans over at Dallas Dirt is being a little too harsh on Your Mama in this post...and this one...and this one. It is commonly known that very personalized homes take longer to sell because they naturally appeal to a smaller pool of buyers. Yes. Even at this price range people watch the dollars. That's how they got to be rich in the first place. Think about how much it will cost to change 15,000 sf of crazy ceilings! I have seen $50,000 coffered and hand carved mahogany ceilings in dining rooms and I guarantee you no one is going to change that. But the decor and ceilings in the Romano house are pretty personalized and I can see someone spending a pretty penny changing them. Now is that a reason someone isn't going to buy this house if they have the cash? Probably not. But having $50K ceilings in the first place that are going to appeal to pretty much everyone in the first place couldn't hurt could it?

Oh, and thanks to Dallas Dirt for the breaking news about the reason the Romano's are selling. Big 'D', indeed.

Selling Solo is a No, No!

There is an awesome article in the Park Cities People about For Sale by Owners. Part of the reason I think it is so awesome is because it includes some insightful snippets from yours truly. So go here, take notes and pass this along to your friends who are thinking about selling their homes by themselves.