Here we are in February, 2012. Lots of showings of the little house on West Allen St. in Hendersonville, NC. But no offers. You may ask why.
It seems that everyone loves the house but hates the neighborhood. Have I miscalculated the old adage, Location, Location, Location? Or do potential buyers have a misconception about the neighborhood.
There is a development of what is called "affordable housing" across the street from the little house. It seems that people translate that to mean drug addicts and criminals. That is not the case.
To begin with, when I was working there last spring putting in some landscaping and raking new gravel over the driveway, I met some of the people who live in that housing. They were pleasant and friendly, stopping to chat as they passed by. My next door neighbors had lived there for 30 years and never had a problem from the housing development.
When I kept receiving the reports of "hate the neighborhood," I researched into the matter. First I contacted a city councilman who took the time to write a nice reply to my email and to direct me to the Housing Authority which has jurisdiction over the development. There I eventually spoke with a representative who gave me the facts.
The development was built in the 1960's and was designed to be comfortable, safe and affordable housing for working people with low income, people on disability, senior citizens, and working mothers with minor children. The property is inspected every two years, most recently in December, 2011, by HUD. Every year it passes with "flying colors." There are strict rules about how residents must keep up the appearance of their units and they are encouraged to plant flowers in addition to the landscaping provided by the county. There is zero tolerance for crime or drugs and there is 24 hour security at all times. Furthermore, this particular development has a national reputation for excellence. This all fits in with what I saw and heard while I was there.
So why is it that potential buyers take one look at the development and turn up their noses at my little house? Preconceived ideas, not knowledge.
So what can a seller do to combat such misconceptions -- especially when you are not on site?
I wrote up a flyer with this information and emailed it to my realtor. He made copies and placed them around the inside of the house so buyers and local realtors could see them. He also made certain that the inspection results and Certificate of Occupancy were prominently displayed so buyers would know that the renovation was solidly up to (and beyond) Code.
Now it's back to waiting for the right buyer comes through and decides that the little house is a "must have."
Jean,
Still Somewhere in Maine
