Homeowners offer incentives to help sell homes
Dec 23 2011 5:07PM
During the slow recovery of the housing market, eager homeowners with property on the market have been offering bonuses to grab buyer attention.
The Washington Times reports that homeowners have offered potential buyers bonuses because it has at least gotten them to come see the home. The National Association of Realtors says sellers are offering a variety of extras such as cars, gift cards, televisions and have even offered extended warranties or cash.
"There's no question, we've had some unusual things," Michael Labout, regional vice president for NAR, told The Times. "I had one seller who wanted to include his 1970s Cadillac El Dorado." He later told the source that the incentive worked, and the home may have sold quicker because of it.
Offering incentives has proven to be a good alternative for homeowners who don't want to budge on their asking price, says the source. Once a buyer shows interest in the home, instead of negotiating a price cut, sellers can offer the gifts or upgrades. Labout told the source that extended home warranties and closing cost assistance have been the most appealing to potential buyers.
