Getting your home sold
There are only three factors that will affect the sale of your home:
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Location
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Condition
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Price
It’s important to note that there are numerous other factors that influence a buyer, and you need to understand these consumer trends when you enter the sellers’ market. Together we will discuss these trends and I will advise you on how to best position and market your home to overcome any perceived downsides.
Location. Unfortunately, the most influential factor in determining your home’s appeal to buyers is something you can’t control: its location. According to the National Association of REALTORS(r), schools/community/neighborhood quality is the No. 1 reason buyers choose certain homes. The second most influential factor is commute times to work and school.
Condition. This is an area that can be the difference between selling for top dollar in 1 day or selling at a discount after months. Few buyers have the "vision" to see what can be. Together we will review the homes selling in your neighborhood and the "current competition" to determine what updates and features they have compared to yours to see if you need to make improvements. I will inform you of the “hot ticket” items that are selling homes in your market. If your home lacks certain features, you can renovate to increase its appeal, but be forewarned: That’s not always the right move. Using market conditions and activity in your neighborhood as a gauge, I will help you determine whether the investment is likely to help or hinder your profit margin and time on the market. It may also be a good idea to have a "pre-listing home inspection" completed. I can schedule this for you. A buyer will have a property inspection done so having one completed prior to going on the market will eliminate surprises and give you the opportunity to repair any defects in advance. This is also a fantastic marketing tool when we hit the market.
Price. Setting a fair asking price from the outset will generate the most activity from other real estate agents and buyers. We will need to take into account the condition of your home, what comparable homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and state of the overall market in your area. It’s often difficult to remain unbiased when putting a price on your home, so my expertise is invaluable at this step. I will know what comparable homes are selling for in your neighborhood and the average time those homes are sitting on the market. If you want a truly objective opinion about the price of your home, you could have an appraisal done, which I will be happy to set up for you. This typically costs a few hundred dollars. Remember: You’re always better off setting a fair market value price than setting your price too high. Studies show that homes priced higher than 3 percent of their market value take longer to sell. If your home sits on the market for too long, potential buyers may think there is something wrong with the property. Often, when this happens, the seller has to drop the price below market value to compete with newer, reasonably priced listings.