It hurts, in most cases, more than sellers expect.
Buyers are shopping a lifestyle, not just a floor plan
A dock in the water lets a buyer walk out and picture their actual summer, morning coffee at the end of it, the boat tied up, kids jumping off the end. A home showing with the dock already pulled asks the buyer to imagine all of that instead of seeing it. Some buyers can make that leap. A lot won't bother, especially when the house down the shoreline still has its dock in and doesn't require any imagination at all.
When this mistake happens most
It's almost always a timing issue, not a decision anyone makes on purpose. A seller lists in early fall after already winterizing, or lists in spring before the dock physically goes back in yet, and doesn't realize the listing photos and showings are suffering for it. If you're planning to sell during the season, keep the dock in through your active showing period.
What this means for you
If you're listing between late spring and early fall, leave the dock in. If your timeline means listing in the off season, say so clearly in your listing and lean harder on strong photography from when the dock was in the water, rather than asking buyers to picture something they can't see.
If you're not sure how your timeline lines up with the dock, that's exactly the kind of thing worth a quick conversation before you set a list date.
Best,
Tim Ornell Real Estate Advisor | Ornell Group Real Broker Luxury Division (NASDAQ: REAX) 651.263.9480 | ornellgroup.com Specializing in Twin Cities, MN waterfront properties and relocations.
