Selling in todays market
Selling Your Home in Todays Market The media has been full of stories about the slowing
housing market and although this kind of market normalization is commonplace in the
real estate industry, there is no question that in many parts of the country, houses are
currently on the market a little longer and there is more competition for buyers. Hire a
Professional If you want to sell your home fairly quickly, now is not the time to go at it alone.
You want to make sure that your home gets the maximum exposure and the best
marketing strategy. When you work with a qualified real estate professional, your home will
be listed on a MLS database that other real estate professionals can access. In addition,
you get the benefit of an experienced marketer and negotiator who is familiar with real
estate issues in your community. When selecting someone to represent you, interview at
least three real estate professionals who are familiar with your area. Ask questions such
as: How will your home be marketed to reach the greatest number of buyers? What price
can they get for your home? Whats the average time their listings have been on the
market? They should be able to back up their answer with a Comparative Marketing
Analysis and provide the names of two or three of their most recent sellers who you may
contact for a reference. Price It Right A house priced at just below market value piques the
interest of real estate professionals and buyers, while overpricing chases them away. If
your home is priced too high, interested buyers may never even tour your listing. It is true
that you can always drop the price, but the first 30 days are the most critical. That is when
interest is the highest, and it can be difficult to recapture peoples interest later on. The
longer the property is on the market, the fewer the prospects. Get Your Home In
Show-Condition Get your home in tip-top shape before any potential buyer views it.
Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Get rid of the clutter.
Touch up the paint where needed. Clean the carpet. Consider having your home
inspected, and make any recommended repairs. (If there are any repairs you decide not to
fix, inform the buyers about the condition of your home and discount the repair cost from
the selling price).Curb Appeal Dont overlook the outside of your property. You dont want a
buyer to rule out your home based on the outside appearance. The lawn should be
trimmed, bushes and shrubs pruned, and leaves raked. The front of the house needs a
clean, fresh appearance. Even the mailbox needs to be attractive and functional. (Believe it
or not, a rusty, unhinged mailbox can turn potential buyers off.) And dont forget to put away
bicycles; toys and other items that may make your property seem cluttered. Offer Incentives
Offering incentives can be just the impetus a potential buyer needs to select your property
over others. You may want to consider offering a carpet or paint allowance. If the buyer
knows up front that there is an allowance for the worn carpet or paint, they may overlook
those cosmetic flaws in order to choose their own color. You could pay for a professional
home inspection or a home warranty and, depending on your market and budget, offer to
pay some of the closing costs. Dont be discouraged if there are competing homes for sale
in your neighborhood. Making the right moves at the beginning of your home selling
process can give you the upper-hand you need in today competitive market.
housing market and although this kind of market normalization is commonplace in the
real estate industry, there is no question that in many parts of the country, houses are
currently on the market a little longer and there is more competition for buyers. Hire a
Professional If you want to sell your home fairly quickly, now is not the time to go at it alone.
You want to make sure that your home gets the maximum exposure and the best
marketing strategy. When you work with a qualified real estate professional, your home will
be listed on a MLS database that other real estate professionals can access. In addition,
you get the benefit of an experienced marketer and negotiator who is familiar with real
estate issues in your community. When selecting someone to represent you, interview at
least three real estate professionals who are familiar with your area. Ask questions such
as: How will your home be marketed to reach the greatest number of buyers? What price
can they get for your home? Whats the average time their listings have been on the
market? They should be able to back up their answer with a Comparative Marketing
Analysis and provide the names of two or three of their most recent sellers who you may
contact for a reference. Price It Right A house priced at just below market value piques the
interest of real estate professionals and buyers, while overpricing chases them away. If
your home is priced too high, interested buyers may never even tour your listing. It is true
that you can always drop the price, but the first 30 days are the most critical. That is when
interest is the highest, and it can be difficult to recapture peoples interest later on. The
longer the property is on the market, the fewer the prospects. Get Your Home In
Show-Condition Get your home in tip-top shape before any potential buyer views it.
Remember, you only get one chance to make a first impression. Get rid of the clutter.
Touch up the paint where needed. Clean the carpet. Consider having your home
inspected, and make any recommended repairs. (If there are any repairs you decide not to
fix, inform the buyers about the condition of your home and discount the repair cost from
the selling price).Curb Appeal Dont overlook the outside of your property. You dont want a
buyer to rule out your home based on the outside appearance. The lawn should be
trimmed, bushes and shrubs pruned, and leaves raked. The front of the house needs a
clean, fresh appearance. Even the mailbox needs to be attractive and functional. (Believe it
or not, a rusty, unhinged mailbox can turn potential buyers off.) And dont forget to put away
bicycles; toys and other items that may make your property seem cluttered. Offer Incentives
Offering incentives can be just the impetus a potential buyer needs to select your property
over others. You may want to consider offering a carpet or paint allowance. If the buyer
knows up front that there is an allowance for the worn carpet or paint, they may overlook
those cosmetic flaws in order to choose their own color. You could pay for a professional
home inspection or a home warranty and, depending on your market and budget, offer to
pay some of the closing costs. Dont be discouraged if there are competing homes for sale
in your neighborhood. Making the right moves at the beginning of your home selling
process can give you the upper-hand you need in today competitive market.