Although the real estate market has slowed in recent months, there are still plenty of people looking to buy a home. If you know how to prepare your home, when to allow access for property showings, and are willing to consider offering buyer incentives- you can find the right buyer, even in a declining market.
Before you put your home on the market, take a once over of the property and make sure that all basic or minor repairs are completed. Nothing can turn off a prospective buyer quicker than little things. These repairs don't cost a lot of money and buyers are likely to believe that the larger things may be neglected too if the little things aren't maintained. You want buyers to know that you have pride in your home, so make sure that all of the small repairs are taken care of. Make sure to fix loose railings, torn screens or missing hardware on cupboard doors as these do not cost much to repair.
Keep your home clean throughout the time it is on the market. Its important, especially in a slow market, to have your home available to show at a moment's notice so vacuum regularly, keep kitchens clean, grass cut, and windows washed.. The more often your home is shown, the more likely it is that your home will sell.
Have your home staged by a professional. Home stagers have become a booming business and a professional home stager can help you remove clutter and depersonalize your space. If cost is an issue, you can remove the clutter and personal items yourself. Some real estate agents can advise you on how to arrange the furniture or what pieces to remove so your home is well received. I, myself, have a background in Interior Design and Visual Merchandising so I can certainly help you with this. Don't get too crazy with the removal of furniture, unless of course you intend to keep the home vacant while you are trying to sell the property, but, any pieces that are difficult to maneuver around or are unnecessary should be cleared away. It's important to remember that prospective buyers want to picture their family in the home, not yours and a home full of personal clutter won't show the potential your home offers.
Keep pets contained while your property is being shown and make sure that your cat litter box is always clean and waste of any kind is thrown out (preferably outside of the property). Nothing will turn off a prospective home buyer like a home that smells. Also, make sure that if you have a dog, that you either take your dog for a walk while your home is shown or is put away. Many people are afraid of dogs and although yours would never bite or wouldn't jump on people, its best to remove them to keep buyers safe and to make sure the buyer doesn't accidentally let the pets out of the house if you intend to not be present during the showing.
Be realistic in your expectations of the price you will be able to sell your home. Forget about what could have been and focus on what your home is worth now. In a buyer's market, buyers won't negotiate much. They know that you want to sell your home and a home that is priced too high is likely to be dismissed. You and your realtor should come up with the best price that will not only get your home sold quickly, but will create a lot of activity and interest in the property. High activity and a reasonable price will guarantee a quick offer.
In a slow market, it is crucial to hire a real estate agent so your home will sell in a reasonable amount of time. Yes, there are ways you can list your home for sale by owner using the internet, but nothing beats the experience and know-how of a real estate agent who is able to take care of everything in order to sell your home. This is especially true if you plan to sell your home as a short sale. Navigating through the process of a short sale can be difficult, confusing and time consuming, only a professional should handle the transaction.
Selling your home can be a stressful time, but if you remain patient, flexible, hire the right agent and can think of it as a business transaction, you'll be able to sell your home in a reasonable amount of time. There are buyers out there and the key is to make your home the best one on the block for the best price.
Contact me today and let's discuss your situation and my plan of action on how I will get your home sold!
No comments:
Post a Comment