PRICE FACTOR If IBM stock is trading between 55 and 60, it does no good to insist on selling at 70. Likewise, your home must be priced within the appropriate range. You must actually “sell” your property twice: first to a buyer and then to an appraiser. The buyer is more subjective and compares the amenities of your home to those of other homes in the same price range. The appraiser is more objective and compares age, size and cost-identifiable features in your home against other properties that have sold.
The best chance for selling your property is within the first seven weeks. Studies show that the longer a property stays on the market, the less the seller will net.
It is very important to price your property at a competitive market value at the signing of the listing agreement. The market is so competitive that even over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell. Interestingly, your first offer is usually your best offer. Here are a few good reasons for pricing your property at the current market value right from the start:
OVER PRICING... Minimizes Offers ~ Lowers Agent Response ~ Limits Qualified Buyers ~ Lowers Showings
Lowers Prospects ~ Limits Financing ~Wastes Advertising Dollars ~ Nets Less For The Seller
CONDITION FACTOR New homes enjoy a marketing edge over resale homes because they are shiny and clean, and builders enhance their appeal by offering model homes (clean, bright, decorated in current colors and amenities) for buyers to examine. Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanliness or odor when buying a home. Sellers lose thousands of dollars because they do not adequately clean. If your house is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell your home faster and net hundreds if not thousands of dollars more. If you are planning on moving, why not get rid of that old junk now so that your house will appear larger? Make more space. Odors must be eliminated especially if you have dogs, cats or young children in diapers or if you are a smoker. You may not notice the smell, but buyers do! Most agents have a difficult time communicating to their sellers about odor. By employing us to get the most amount of money for you, the seller, do not take offense if we must confront you about odor problems.
PAINT & CARPET FACTOR Paint is your best improvement investment for getting a greater return on your money. Paint makes the whole house smell clean and neat. If your house has chipped paint, exposed wood, or the paint looks faded, it is time to paint. If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated, or an unusual color, you may need to seriously consider replacing it. Many houses do not sell because of this problem. Don’t think that buyers have more money than you have to replace carpet. They
don’t. They simply buy elsewhere.
YARD FACTOR Your front yard immediately reflects the inside condition of your house to the buyer. Our area has a good climate, therefore outdoor activities are important. People enjoy their yards. Make certain that the trees are trimmed so the house
can be seen from the street. Have the grass mowed, trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away debris. Remove parked cars. This all adds to curb appeal. If a buyer does not like the outside, the person simply drives on.
LOCATION FACTOR Your home’s location and setting influences its value. A home inside a quiet subdivision sells for more than the identical home on a busy street. Remote areas typically sell for less than a close-in area. Views, streams and trees usually enhance value.
ACCESS FACTOR Top selling agents will not show your home if both the key and access are not readily available. They do not have the time to run around town all day picking up and dropping off keys. They want to sell homes. The greatest way to show a house is to have a key available for showing agents! When your home is being shown, please do the following:
If IBM stock is trading between 55 and 60, it does no good to insist on selling at 70. Likewise, your home must be priced within the appropriate range. You must actually “sell” your property twice: first to a buyer and then to an appraiser. The buyer is more subjective and compares the amenities of your home to those of other homes in the same price range. The appraiser is more objective and compares age, size and cost-identifiable features in your home against other properties that have sold.
New homes enjoy a marketing edge over resale homes because they are shiny and clean, and builders enhance their appeal by offering model homes (clean, bright, decorated in current colors and amenities) for buyers to examine. Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanliness or odor when buying a home. Sellers lose thousands of dollars because they do not adequately clean. If your house is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell your home faster and net hundreds if not thousands of dollars more. If you are planning on moving, why not get rid of that old junk now so that your house will appear larger? Make more space. Odors must be eliminated especially if you have dogs, cats or young children in diapers or if you are a smoker. You may not notice the smell, but buyers do! Most agents have a difficult time communicating to their sellers about odor. By employing us to get the most amount of money for you, the seller, do not take offense if we must confront you about odor problems.
Paint is your best improvement investment for getting a greater return on your money. Paint makes the whole house smell clean and neat. If your house has chipped paint, exposed wood, or the paint looks faded, it is time to paint. If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated, or an unusual color, you may need to seriously consider replacing it. Many houses do not sell because of this problem. Don’t think that buyers have more money than you have to replace carpet. They
don’t. They simply buy elsewhere.
Your front yard immediately reflects the inside condition of your house to the buyer. Our area has a good climate, therefore outdoor activities are important. People enjoy their yards. Make certain that the trees are trimmed so the house
can be seen from the street. Have the grass mowed, trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away debris. Remove parked cars. This all adds to curb appeal. If a buyer does not like the outside, the person simply drives on.
Your home’s location and setting influences its value. A home inside a quiet subdivision sells for more than the identical home on a busy street. Remote areas typically sell for less than a close-in area. Views, streams and trees usually enhance value.
Top selling agents will not show your home if both the key and access are not readily available. They do not have the time to run around town all day picking up and dropping off keys. They want to sell homes. The greatest way to show a house is to have a key available for showing agents! When your home is being shown, please do the following: