|
|
Selling a home is the largest business transaction most of us will ever make.
One of our main responsibilities is to arrive at an accurate estimate of the value for your home. When you understand current market conditions, you are better able to position yourself as a Seller. It helps to know if you are in a Seller's, Buyer's or Balanced market when setting your asking price. In a Buyer's market there is a lot more competition and Buyers have plenty of choices and room to negotiate, forcing you to be very competitive when setting your price. In a seller's market, there is less inventory from which a buyer has to choose resulting in higher prices. It's Econ 101 - Supply and demand.
How is the price set?
It's very important to price your home appropriately relative to current market conditions. A Comparative Market Analysis provides the background data on which to base your list-price decision. We perform a detailed evaluation and analysis of your home, fully investigating the real estate market and comparing your property with similar listings to make sure that you receive the highest amount you deserve for your home.
While what's currently active for sale is a consideration, the comparable homes that have SOLD recently in your area reflect a more accurate market value. Anyone can ask any amount, which is sometimes inflated especially in a seller's market. But what the property actually sells for is what is real.
Because the real estate market is continually changing, and market fluctuations have an effect on property values, it's imperative to select your list price based on the most recent comparable sales in your neighborhood. If the analysis is more than two or three months old, obtain an updated report.
We will follow up with a step-by-step marketing program that will provide you with service that is professional and courteous. In the end, you will be sure that the price you set reflects the true value of your home under current market conditions. |
Watch out for an agent whose opinion of value is considerably higher than the others! |
Most Real Estate Agents are professional and ethical.
However, as in any business, there are some who are less than forthright. One tactic of an agent who might try to 'buy' your listing is suggesting an inflated listing price just to get your signature on a listing contract. Then later, after your home has fewer and fewer showings and is still not sold, they will suggest bringing the price down considerably. By this time, your home has stayed on the market longer than it should and maybe developed a stigma as to the possibilities of what might be wrong.
Most buyers will view your property within the first three weeks. The end result is that you, as the seller, may end up selling your house for even less than what you might have received had your property been priced properly from the beginning. There are countless examples of such cases.
Should this happen to you, it would probably be a good idea to change agents. Why reward an agent who employs this tactic? And besides, a change of listing agents could give your listing a fresh, new look and could be easier to explain away any negative impressions left by the previous listing.
Back to the Top |
Preparing the House for Selling
|
|
|
I can help you with all the details of selling your home, but first, we need to prepare your home for the market. Remember, you want to portray a clean home in which the buyer can visualize themselves living! Here are some insightful tips to shining up your home:
Inside
-
Start Packing! You are getting ready to move anyway, and removing clutter will enhance the first impression. Clear all unnecessary objects from furniture throughout the house, keeping decorative objects on the furniture to a minimum.
-
Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen countertops. Clear the refrigerator fronts of messages, pictures, etc. If the kitchen is clear, the prospective buyers can begin imagining themselves in your home.
-
It's especially important that the bathroom and kitchen are spotless.
-
In the bathroom, remove any unnecessary items from countertops, tubs, shower stalls, and commode tops. Keep your most needed items in one small corner.
-
Make sure the basic appliances and fixtures work. Get rid of leaky faucets and frayed cords.
-
Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if the room seems full. When it comes to selling, you want to balance your furniture. This makes the room appear larger and adds perspective.
-
Take down or rearrange certain pictures or objects on the walls. Patch and paint if necessary.
-
Organize closets.
-
Review the inside of your home one room at a time. Clean walls, windows, carpets, drapes, and just tighten things up.
-
Leave on certain extenuating lights during the day. Turn on all lights and lamps before showings.
-
Ensure that the house smells good: from an apple pie or cookies baking, for example. Hide the kitty litter.
-
Put vases of fresh flowers throughout the house.
-
Pleasant background music is a nice touch.
Outside
-
Go around the perimeter of the house and remove all garbage cans, discarded wood scraps, extra building materials, etc. You can place them in the garage if necessary.
-
Sweep the sidewalk, mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden and clean debris from the yard. Weed all planting areas. Keep your lawn freshly cut and fertilized. Remove any dead plants or shrubs.
-
Check gutters and roof for dry rot. Make sure gutters are free of debris.
-
Inspect all plants, prune brushes, and trees. Keep plants from blocking all windows!
-
Clear patios or decks of all small items, such as small planters, flower pots, charcoals, barbecues, toys, etc. Again, put them in the garage if need be.
-
Be sure that the doorbell works!
-
Clean the windows.
-
Check the paint condition of the house, especially the front door and trim, and make sure the paint is not chipped or flaking. "Curb appeal" is very important!
| |
|
Selling Your Home
|
|
|
| |
Selling a home can be a source of great anxiety. I work to take the fear out of this process, an involved process that affects your family and your future. Before you begin, you'll want to ensure that you have the most up-to-date information. When should you sell? How do you get the best price? What kinds of renovations should be made prior to the sale?
These home selling reports will assist you in answering the many questions that arise during the home selling process. When you're armed with the right information, and an experienced real estate professional, you'll be closer to reaching your goal - selling your home fast, and for the best price. |
Please contact me if you have any questions about selling your home.
Below, select desired reports and complete the form provided.
|
Why Hire a Professional Real Estate Agent?
A qualified, competent real estate agent will help you navigate the myriad of decisions that arise when selling a home. An agent provides value to the homeowner in many ways:
- Pays for all marketing and advertising costs.
- Adds experience and expertise in all aspects of the sales process including marketing, financing, negotiations and more.
- Handles showings.
- Brings a network of known, trusted real estate professionals. If your agent doesn't have the answer, he or she likely knows someone who does.
- Always has your interests in mind so you always have someone on your side.
- Can handle and advise on all price and contract negotiations.
- Provides you with all the possible options and opportunities without holding back.
- Gives an unbiased, realistic view of your home and your options. Unlike the emotional attachment that occurs to buyers and sellers, an agent's perspective of the property is more analytical.
- Has the knowledge to help you ask the right questions.
- Being a third party, potential buyers are more likely to tell your agent the truth about your home, even if it is unflattering. This objective viewpoint will help you make the necessary changes to get your home sold.
- Your time is valuable. A real estate agent allows you to spend your time how you want.
|
|
|