The Three Little Burrowing Owls

Once upon a time, in far away Cape Coral, three little burrowing owls were preparing to sell their burrows. 

Each owl diligently cleaned and prepared his burrow for sale.  They dragged egg shells and mouse pellets out to the curb, pushed back roots that had intruded into their space, and pulled away weeds and grass that had grown over the entrances to their tiny homes.  At last the time had come to place (adorable) little signs outside their burrows, announcing that they were ready to sell.

But... how much should they sell their burrows for?  Do you know the best asking price for a two-tunnel burrow on a salt water canal?  A one-tunnel backing up against a preserve?  An extended-tunnel with a second entrance and beach access?  Our owls didn't know.  They weren't, after all, marketing strategists.  They were owls.  But, still, they did their best.

The first little owl priced his burrow high...

The first little owl thought very carefully, then said to himself "I think I'll price my burrow just a little bit high.  If someone is interested, they can always offer less than I am asking.  And who knows - maybe I'll even get an offer at the higher price.  It is quite a lovely burrow, if I do say so myself."  So he placed his sign out side his burrow, with a price just 15% above it's value.

Unfortunately for the first little owl, he did not consider the internet.  You see, all his potential buyers were searching online.  They saw his lovely two-tunnel burrow (with fresh sod lining!) listed right beside other similar burrows which were priced much more realistically.  They only had so much free time, so they went to look at the other burrows instead. 

When the first little owl realized his mistake, he changed his price to something more reasonable.  But it was too late.  His beautiful home had been on the market for weeks, and was now pushed to the bottom of the list of available burrows.  Owls who did scroll down that far would scratch their heads and wonder what must be wrong with such a lovely looking burrow that it had not sold.  So even though it was now priced very well indeed, the first little owl still struggled to entice buyers.

The second little owl priced his burrow low...

The second little owl was watching all of this unfold with great interest.  He was a very savvy owl, and knew the value of learning from other's mistakes.  So he said to himself "That owl was too greedy and unwise.  I will not make the same mistake.  If I price my burrow just a little bit low, everyone will want to come see it! They will certainly agree that it is quite a lovely burrow, if I do say so myself."  So he placed his sign outside his burrow, with a price just 15% below it's value.

Unfortunately for the second little owl, he did not consider owl psychology.  You see, his potential buyers were also searching online. They saw his lovely one tunnel burrow (recently expanded!) listed right beside other similar burrows which were priced much more realistically.  They assumed something must be wrong with this bargain-priced burrow, so they went to look at the other burrows instead.

When the second little owl realized his mistake, there was nothing he could do. He could not raise the price; it was too late.  His beautiful home had been on the market for weeks, and was now pushed to the bottom of the list of available burrows.  Owls who did scroll down that far would scratch their heads and wonder what must be wrong with such a lovely looking burrow that it was priced so low and still had not sold.  So like the first little owl, he struggled to entice buyers.

But the third little owl priced his burrow just right...

The third little owl saw what the others had experienced, and made a very wise decision indeed.  He said to himself "There is obviously more to this than simply picking a number. I will not make the same mistakes. If I seek guidance from a professional, I can be sure everyone will come and see my home.  They will recognize that is is quite a lovely burrow, if I do say so myself."  So he called his Century 21 Owling Paradise agent, and made an appoinment.  

Fortunately for the third little owl, this was exactly the right thing to do.  When his agent arrived, she came armed with information about all the similar burrows for sale nearby.  The third little owl saw how they were priced and marketed and - with his agent's expert guidance - chose just the right price for his burrow.

Everyone did come to see his home, and they did agree that it was quite lovely.  Almost before he knew it, offers were piling up outside his burrow.

...

Now.  This is a fairy tale.  Like all fairy tales, it must have a happy ending - and it does. 

The first little owl did eventually sell his home, although after a long, long delay.  He moved back to Wisconsin, where he lives in a small tree just down the street from his daughter and grandchildren. 

The second little owl also eventually sold his home, although he did not receive as much money as he could have.  He purchased another, smaller burrow in a colony with other owls and is very involved in his new community.

And the third little owl?  His home sold very quickly, and he was able to secure a cash offer.  That meant he could take his newly available funds and buy a larger burrow in the country.  He even had a little left over for travel, and is very excited to tour the barns of New England this fall.

And you, dear reader?  Which owl will you be?