In today's real estate market selling your home can be filled with many obstacles. Without the help of an experienced Realtor pricing the home correctly, and ultimately attracting a ready and willing buyer, may take longer than you like. Following a few simple steps will allow you to get your home priced correctly and SOLD in a timely manner. Some of these steps are as follows:
- Choose a competent and reliable Realtor- Be careful of the realtor that 'talks' a big game. It is important to take into account a Realtors honesty, integrity and unbiased attitude toward selling your home. Do not be sold by the realtor. It is their job to sell your home to a buyer, not you. If a Realtor comes to your home giving you a sales pitch on why you should choose them, and does not show the integrity and honesty you have perhaps it would be better to thank them for their time and look for someone that does have these qualities. Remember the Realtor is going to represent you.
- Base your list price off what comp's SOLD, not what comp's are currently on the market. Too often sellers like to think their home is worth more than it is. Typically this is a result of talking to neighbors and others in the community and hearing what comparable ACTIVE homes are listed for. A good Realtor will show you what properties have recently sold (within the last year) in your neighborhood as well as show you a multi year history to establish a trend and what direction prices are going. By doing this you and your Realtor can establish the best price to list your home so it can sell in a respectable time frame.
- The Contract-Only half of the equation. In today's world a buyer and seller agreeing on price and terms of a contract is only half of the equation. The buyer obtaining financing (assuming they are not paying cash) is the second half. Since the credit crunch of 2008 lending guidelines have become exceedingly stringent. The appraisal of your home is just one of the things being looked at in more detail. If the appraisal of your home comes in lower than the agreed upon purchase price; the buyer will have to make up the difference, out of their own pocket, or else the deal is dead. This is very important to keep in mind when pricing your home for sale. It must not only be priced at a level that will attract the largest number of buyers and bring an offer but that offer must meet the banks established value of the property or else the buyer will be unable to obtain financing.
These are just a few things to keep in mind when putting your property on the market for sale. There are more components you should be made aware, which a competent Realtor will be able to discuss with you. If your Realtor does not bring these things to your attention perhaps you should find one that does.
If you would like to know more about listing your home and how to go about doing so feel free to call Pete Popovich at 843.338.6737 for a no-obligation consultation.
