There are few things in the Real Estate world more painful that having your home languish for months on the market. Your home was in the paper, your agent held all those open houses, you turned on all the lights and had the music to create just the right atmosphere, and you priced it to sell….Right?
You may, or may not, have done all the right things to get that home sold. But this site will help you piece together all crucial elements for a successful sale. I’ll share with you my stories; stories from a Realtor about homes that I’ve been able to sell for clients that have spent months (or more) on the market with other agents, and even listings that languished on the market (my dad’s - but that’s a story for another day!).
In every case – I can tell you where we went wrong. It’s never a mystery. So if you are wondering what went wrong with your listing, or if you’ve just happened to find your way here planning for a successful sale, this site will help you put the pieces together for a successful sale.
- Marketing – The marketing plan has to serve your listing. Where are the buyers looking for homes? Is the marketing positioned where your buyer is looking? Does the marketing serve the brokerage, the agent or your listing?
- Photography – This is a hot button! I know from experience that great photography increases showings. Increased showings = sale (often at a higher price). One Connecticut blogger has made an entire blog of bad MLS photos. Although some of these are in the extreme – they happen every day. We’ll definitely cover more on this topic!
- Cooperative Sellers – Accessibility goes a long way. Make your home tough to see and you will shrink the showings, particularly not a good thing in high inventory markets.
- Staging – We live in our homes in a different way than we sell our homes. Look at the money builders spend on staging those models! There’s a reason – buyers need to feel an emotional connection to the property. Unwilling to hire a stager…reconsider or do your research. The time and money will come back to you.
- Agent Selection – There are many wonderful and professional Realtors in the industry with a high level of integrity. Find one. Find a professional that takes this job seriously. Don’t just find the person that is filled with promises (fast sale with low commissions, the pricing advice that you want to hear rather than the truth, etc.)
- Pricing – Of course and let’s be honest! Are you chasing the market? The best marketing plan and the best house in the world will never sell if it’s overpriced. Ask my dad!
- Motivation - One thing I have learned the hard way over the years…I can’t be more motivated to sell my client’s home than they are. Are you motivated to sell? What are your goals? Assess your needs and your intentions with an agent that is looking for more than a new listing. Talk to your real estate professional in an honest and candid way about why you want to sell.
- Stay informed - Know the market conditions, listen to the feedback from showings, watch your neighborhood and let it speak to you. Look at the information you gather as if you were the buyer.
We will address all these points within this site. Come back for more or subscribe to make sure you are hearing the latest. This information can translate into thousands of dollars if you are willing to really listen.
I’m always available for questions – whether you are an Orange County Seller or not.
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Linsey,
Clear and right to the point. I am a real estate sale agent in New Jersey and would like permision to use this article in my newletter.
Thanks for the consideration and reply, Jeff