Tour Results

The tour last week was loads of fun. Overall, there were about 15 of us, caravaning along. In our vehicle, there were 5 of us, crammed into someone's SUV, driving around Tempe, discussing the market and other real estate topics that would make the average person's eyes glaze over. But we loved it.

Pro tip: If you aren't the driver on these tours, always volunteer to be the navigator, so you get the other front seat.

I navigated us to homes ranging from a half acre, $649,000 property with a new, but but buckling, roof to my cute little condo. At each property, the agent said a few words and asked for specific feedback.

The agents were fun, which alwasy helps. We even had the know-it-all hot-shot sales guy who told us more than once how he is a know-it-all hot-shot. He was very pleasant but was floored when I mentioned (in a loving way) that a $649,000 home should come with a landscaped front yard and a new roof that isn't buckling. But, that's just me.

We saw a brownstone in the heart of downtown Tempe that, if anywhere else, would have been a darling property. However, this one backed up to some seriously scary apartments. The owner has had this house for a year and made $40,000 profit as an Air BNB. Why is she selling? I am not sure. The agent kept saying it "should" appeal to college professors. Possibly. But most college professors don't want to live in student housing overlooking the slums.

We also saw a few just average homes. All were quirky and cute. One house had been rebuilt from the studs up, only because it caught fire two years ago. There was a tri-level that might, possibly be more outdated than my tri-level (Mr. Know-it-all hot-shot kept telling the listing agent "nobody in their right minds would ever live in a tri-level."). Two properties backed major roads. Most were updated to the hilt. One was not, and had that 1990's faux paint on the walls--a bargain at $529,000! All of these agents asked for specific feedback ("If you would all mention that my client needs to paint the turquoise faux painted wall... that'd be great!").

The last stop on the tour was my cute little condo. It was the only property under $350,000 on the entire tour. I didn't want any particular feedback. I just wanted exposure. However, there was one major comment everyone had: the place has a peculiar smell. I suspect it was from the carpet cleaner last week, combined with the Lysol lavender scent I frantically sprayed earlier that day. But, I don't need to mention it to my sellers at this time. Why? Because while we were at my condo, sipping our cold bottled water I brought over earlier that day, I got a full price offer!