Selling a home in a shifting market

We are in a Buyer’s market, however, that doesn’t mean you can’t sell your home. What it does mean is that there is more competition and more homes on the market for Buyers to choose from and new home construction communities are offering terrific Buyer incentives to reduce their inventory of homes.

How does this translate for YOU, the Seller? First, hire a real estate professional who will be upfront with you regarding expectations and not just tell you what you want to hear and who provides you with a marketing plan that includes a heavy internet presence. In fact, consider hiring an Accredited Consultant in Real Estate if you want to be consulted with and not sold to and when one size fits all real estate just isn’t for you.

Second, be realistic, aggressive and competitive in your pricing. Market value is determined by what a Buyer is willing to pay for your property and nothing else. Your REALTOR® will go over comparable properties to assist you with pricing strategy in terms of your competition. In other words, if there are 15 homes on the market similar to yours, why should the Buyer pick your home? You don’t want to give your property away, however, if you are not realistic in pricing – you help sell your neighbor’s home!

Third, ask your REALTOR® for some staging tips. You only get one chance to make a good first impression. Make it count. Look at your property as objectively as you can. Will it give a Buyer that warm and fuzzy feeling? Have you removed some of your personal items so that the Buyer can imagine the home as theirs? Have you de-cluttered so a Buyer can see the potential? Have you arranged your furniture to maximize room size?

Fourth, some good news! If I am not mistaken, Clark Howard says “it’s time to buy.”