Some homes are tough to sell because of the location. Others because of the condition. But in the case of one beautifully-renovated home in Collingswood, the biggest problem was its reputation.

By the time it finally sold for full asking price in 2025, it had been sitting in the minds of local agents for over a year—known as “that weird house with the funky layout.” But the story behind this sale is the perfect example of how powerful staging, pricing, and professional strategy really are—and what can happen when you don’t have them.

“It’s A Big, Empty Void”

When sisters Leslie and Andrea first listed their fully renovated home in January 2024, they thought they were ready to hit the market strong. It had a new kitchen, a finished third floor, and a fresh exterior makeover. But despite the upgrades, buyer feedback was… brutal.

There was no furniture, no staging, and no visual context for the home’s quirky layout. Yes, it had received a glow-up, but there were some things that buyers couldn’t look past; they walked through baffled by some design choices, turned off by the flow, and underwhelmed by the kitchen.

No Representation = No Real Feedback

Unfortunately, Leslie and Andrea had listed their home through a low-service real estate brokerage—which meant they weren’t working directly with a real estate professional to guide them. They had no one filtering buyer feedback or helping them pivot.

A low-fee listing service might get your home onto the MLS, but a full-service agent will position it for success. Leslie and Andrea’s focus—with the best of intentions–was on how much commission an agent charges, when they should have been asking: what is my return on investment?

The pair had hired a low-service brokerage to reduce their costs. But instead of saving money, they were left paying the mortgage for many months on a stunningly-crafted home that no one seemed interested in buying.

“I’ll Help—But Only If You Do Everything I Say.”

Pip Haxby-Thompson of The JFKLiving Team had voiced his own “brutal” feedback while Leslie and Andrea’s house was listed in 2024. He had brought a pair of clients through, and was honest about the property.

So after Leslie and Andrea had dropped the price, and subsequently removed 201 New Jersey Ave from the market after it received zero offers, they knew the next time around they would hire an actual professional.

When Pip got the call, he hesitated. The home had a reputation. Local agents had written it off. One even—anonymously—commented in a local real estate forum:

“I can’t believe [Pip] took that listing; he’s actually a decent agent.”

But Pip knew the house wasn’t the problem. It just needed a new plan. So he made it clear: “I’ll help you—but only if you do exactly what I say.” Leslie and Andrea agreed.

The JFKLiving Difference

Pip launched a marketing strategy that 201 New Jersey Ave had never seen before. It involved:

• Real Estate Staging: furnishing and vamping the main floor, primary bedroom, and third floor, so that buyers could see the flow of the home and actually envision living there.
• Market Value Pricing: pricing reasonably (as opposed to aspirationally, like the sellers did in 2024) to generate interest and urgency.
• Compensation: not offering any kind of Buyer Agent Compensation can drive buyers away. Under Pip’s guidance, Leslie and Andrea offered it this time around, which attracted many more eyes on the home. 
• Timing: unlike their initial dead-of-winter launch, Pip listed the home during peak spring market—when buyer demand is historically highest for a home like this.

On top of this, The JFKLiving Team initiated a multi-platform social media campaign, distributed targeted email and direct mail marketing, deployed the Zillow Showcase Listing tool (which ‘hacks’ the home into the #1 search spot), and timed an Open House alongside a major town event to capitalize on increased foot traffic.

The Results

📈 30,000+ social and email views

 👀 6,000 Zillow views

 💰 Awesome offer within one week

 📆 Under contract in two weeks

 ✅ Closed in under 2 months

Same house—different story.

The Lesson: Perception Is Everything

People make snap judgments—especially when touring a home they might want to buy. If a buyer can’t understand how a space works or picture themselves living there, they move on. Without staging, this home felt disjointed. Without a pricing strategy, it was overlooked. And without a strong agent to advocate for it—particularly one who understands the local market and what today’s buyers are looking for—it never stood a chance.

But once the strategy changed? The home sold. Quickly. For the exact price the sellers wanted.

If you’re thinking of selling and want a strategy that actually works—one that’s backed by data, experience, and results—reach out to The JFKLiving Team at concierge@jfkliving.com or 609-739-8314.

We’ll help you avoid the pitfalls, position your home for success, and make sure it’s not the one everyone avoids next year. No gimmicks. No fluff. Just smart real estate.

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