Top Three Things Home Sellers Must Do in Today's Market

Top Three Things Home Sellers Must Do in Today's Market

Today's market is heating up.  Keeping your property at the top of the viewing list for buyers is the best way to sell your property quickly and for more money.

1)  Know the comparable properties to price yours right from the start.  Check current  market competition and properties sold within the last 3 to 6 months.  This helps you price your property right the first time.  If you overprice your property, buyers will avoid looking at it and move on to properties priced properly and you will sit on the market longer.  The longer a property sits on the market, the more buyers are wondering "what's wrong with it" which is not good.  Be strongly priced but not over priced is the trick to pricing.

     Comparable properties are ones that are similar in size (square footage), style (row, twin, single, condo etc), and amenities (bedrooms, baths, extra rooms, finished basement etc).  Getting comparable homes as close as possible  and in similar condition to yours give you a real understanding of how much you can ask for yours.

2)  Keep your personal feelings out of the sale.  Selling a house is a Business Decision and you should not take personally criticisms from potential buyers and agents.  Don't get upset when you get a Low Ball Offer, they are just being Cheap and it's not a reflection of your property.  They like it or they would not have offered at all.  Don't take it personal if agents don't show up with buyers when they are scheduled.  Of if they take forever to look at the house, the longer they are there the more likely you will get an offer.  Don't get upset if Buyers try to "Pick the Place Apart" with this is wrong or that is wrong.  Again, they are being Cheap, just stand your ground and  give them your bottom line and it's a "Take it or Leave it" and move on instead of feeding into the Drama. 

However, if you keep getting the same complaints from multiple Agents showing the property, then it is something you should definitely address.  Check with your agent and discuss the repeated complaint.  Some issues you can overcome and others are not fixable.  If you live on a busy street, you can't change it, but you purchased the house and someone else will like it too and buy it. 

3)  Pick the right agent to sell your house.  Not all agents are the same and some have a completely different perspective than you might on how they will market your home for sale.  Unfortunately, there are still agents who put a sign in the front lawn and a less than par description in the MLS and
"Hope".  These agents are also the ones that are constantly asking to "Drop the Price" to compensate for their lack of enthusiasm selling it.  You should ask the agent for a "Detailed Marketing Plan" that shows you Exactly How they Intend to Sell YOUR House.  You can choose how long a contract with an agent is to sell your house, it's not automatically 6 months or a year.  Having a "Meeting of the Minds" going into the Listing can help alleviate problems and heartache later. 

Also, be sure to check yourself on the Marketing of your property on Websites like Zillow or Trulia or Realtor.com.  If the agent is not putting all of their effort into Marketing YOUR property that you are expecting, then have a frank discussion and reference the Marketing Plan they described.  Remember this is a Business Transaction and it's not Personal.  The agent is getting paid to sell your house and you should be happy with their performance.

Hope This Helps.

Kathleen McKinney, Realtor
Real Estate Excel, Souderton, PA
Website:  www.kathymckinney.com
Facebook:  Montco Foreclosure Homes
Email:  reohomes@gmail.com