Presenting your home for a sale:
Prepared by John Lippincott
In a normal market the key words when buying real estate are location, location, location. As we all know, real estate is now in a tough buyers market. The key words now are price, condition, motivation, and location.
Price: In a buyer’s market price is very important. With a declining market, high inventory levels and very finicky buyers, it is crucial that your home be priced correctly. Your Realtor can provide you with a CMA (Competitive Market Analysis). In this report you should see Active, Closed and Pending sales of like homes in your area for the last six months. This information is then complied to give you an estimate of the selling price of your home.
Condition: Condition also influences the asking price of you home. If your home is updated and in excellent condition, that will have a positive affect on the price. Conversely, if your home is in need of repair or updating, that will have a negative affect on the price. If you are going to put your property on the market, here are some suggestions:
- Curb Appeal: This is the first impression of your house. Many buyers will not
get out of the car because they did not like the outside appearance of your property. Hire a landscaper to cut your lawn, trim bushes/trees, and add some color with mulch, flowers, etc. Pressure clean the roof and the outside of the home. Fix any items in need of repair. Good curb appeal will invite potential buyers inside your home. - Interior: This is the second impression of your house. Depersonalize the home by removing photos, mementos, and dated articles. Put a fresh coat of paint in the most used areas of the house. Get rid of clutter. Pack anything you are not using and store it out of the house. Clean out your garage, kitchen, closets, and cabinets. Clean dirty carpets, windows, floors, walls, and ceilings. Make functional repairs to fix leaking faucets and sticking doors. Make cosmetic repairs such as peeling wallpaper and caulking tubs. Even if your home needs some updating, if it is clean and well maintained, it still will have a good impression on buyers.
If you find the Curb Appeal / Interior sections overwhelming, please contact me to explore the option of a professional staging company.
Motivation: Your life has changed for whatever reason and now you need to sell your home. Keep a good positive attitude and try to remove the sentimental value from your thinking. Work with a competent Realtor and consider all offers. Remember, we are in a buyer’s market and you may receive some low offers. Do not get insulted and request all offers to be presented in writing. Keep an open mind.
Location: Location is still very important when purchasing real estate. However, in a buyer’s market with several properties having a decent location to choose from, most buyers are looking for a good deal.
Buying a house is largely an emotional decision because people are not just purchasing a home, they are buying a dream or lifestyle. If you can help them envision that quality of life, it will be reflected in the sales price and the number of offers you receive.
John Lippincott is a REALTOR® with
A Licensed Real Estate Brokerage.
