Ask the Experts – How to price a home to sell is one of the most difficult challenges facing real estate brokers and their agents. Sellers attentively listen to their Realtors’ recommendation on the market value and recent sales in the neighborhood. And subsequently hike the sales price up with the belief that they can reduce the price later. The flip side of this scenario - the agent agrees with the higher price! Most real estate agents is excited to get a new listing and will gladly accept the high price listing with a mutual agreement that the sales price be reviewed after 30 - 45 days of marketing the property. With this contingency or agreement in place you can be assured the home will not become stale on the market which results in a lack of overall activity. Price the home from the start realistically comparing similar properties with the current market conditions and recent sales in your neighborhood! As a seller you do not want to not look like a clueless homeowner. … [Read more...]
How to Get an Offer on Your Home
PRICE IT RIGHT – Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range. PREPARE FOR VISITORS – Get your house market ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it. BE FLEXIBLE ABOUT SHOWINGS – It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show at the spur of the moment. But the more amenable you can be about letting people see your home – the sooner you’ll find a buyer, ANTICIPATE THE OFFERS – Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable. DON’T REFUSE TO DROP THE PRICE – If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer you should be prepared to at least consider lowering your asking price. … [Read more...]
Ask the Expert – Is this a good time to list my home?
Ask the Experts - Is this a good time to list my home? Real estate is very cyclical and studies have shown that the current housing market is well below last year’s inventory level. Some studies even show that the current market inventory is well below a six month average. This low inventory creates a seller’s market because there are more buyers in the market than sellers. Therefore, I would say Yes - this is a definitely a perfect time to list your home for sale! When you are ready to list your home make sure your home shows like a model home with curb appeal and price it correctly. You want buyers to be excited about the home! Pricing your home correctly will generate the most traffic and may produce multiple offers during the first 30 days. After 30 days, most brokers will usually ask for a price reduction to stimulate interest. As the seller you do not want your home to sit for long period without a contract. Now, sellers have the option to present your home to the world … [Read more...]
Is Staging Worth the Investment?
Is staging worth the Investment? Many home sellers are told they should stage their home before having it shown to potential buyers. But, professional staging can get expensive, and recent research found that it may not have a significant impact on sale price. So, is it worth the cost? Industry experts say yes – it probably is. The cost of hiring a stager varies considerably, based on the level of staging you want, the furniture you use, and where you live. Services range anywhere from $300 for a consultation to thousands of dollars for staging and monthly furniture rental. The goal of staging is: Allowing buyers to imagine themselves living in your home; Showing off your home’s best features, while drawing attention away from its flaws; Creating a mood; and Making the home look better in listing photos. All of the above gives buyers a more favorable impression of your home’s livability, which can help the home to sell faster. And, the faster it … [Read more...]
Digital Upgrades to Help you Sell
Digital Upgrades to help you sell – In our latest addition of “Insights on Real Estate” it describes technologies that can make your home more attractive to prospective buyers. Experts say these digital upgrades could give you a leg up on other sellers. Smart door bells – These door bells are equipped with microphones or cameras that are activated when someone approaches the door or rings the bell. With the use of your smartphone you can hear or see who is at the door. And respond to them – even if you’re not home! Smart locks – These locks can be opened with a tap of your phone. Or just close proximity to the door via a Bluetooth connection. They are convenient and eliminate the need to pass out extra keys to house guests or regular house workers such as cleaning services or contractors. Smart lighting – Light bulbs tied to smartphones can give homeowners a feeling of luxury. With many options available such as synchronizing the lights to … [Read more...]
Find the Best Agent to Sell Your House
Find the Best Agent to Sell Your House Ask detailed questions about their experience and negotiation skills to help you find the right agent for your home sale. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® … [Read more...]
6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer for Your Home
6 Tips for Choosing the Best Offer for Your Home Have a plan for reviewing purchase offers so you don’t let the best slip through your fingers. Read Visit houselogic.com for more articles like this. Copyright 2016 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® … [Read more...]
Home Inspections – How to Get the Most Value
Home Inspections - How to Get the Most Value: One of the most stressful parts of selling a home is the dreaded home inspection. Getting the most value from a home inspection is crucial, especially since any missed item can cause a significant amount of trouble a few years or decades down the road. With that in mind, let's take a look at a few tips on how one can get the most value from a home inspection. Home Inspections - How to Get the Most Value : Keep Calm And Allow the Inspector to Have Full Control For sellers - having a stranger paw through every corner of their house is frustrating. To a seller their home have emotional value and no one wants to hear about their homes' flaws. The key to a successful inspection lies in remaining calm. Blowing a fuse or arguing with an Home Inspector is a sure way to lose money! Stay calm, smile, and accommodate the inspectors instructions. The payoff is worth it! How to Get the Most Value - Understanding The Process Buyers … [Read more...]
Victoria Falls Fourth Quarter Market Watch – Single Family/Villa Styled Homes
Victoria Falls Fourth Quarter Market Watch – Single Family/Villa Styled Homes (SFH) summarizes the SFH and Villa styled homes market activity within the VF Resort Community through the end of 2015. The average days on the market during the year was 46.15 days. This past summer market activity gained traction in the growing demand for SFH, villa styled homes and condos with an increase in sales prices during the year. There were thirteen closed properties in 2015. With a villa on Brooktree Ln. that sold for $260,000 and a SFH Thoreau model that closed at the highest sales price for the year at $490,000 in September. Now, to the latest data regarding Single Family/Villa Styled Homes…… Active – 13706 Autumn End Ter. – List Price: $499,000. This Michael Harris (MH) Thoreau (largest) model features four bedrooms, three full baths and two car garage. . This home was one of the original model homes built back in 2005. Tax living area: 2,200 square feet. Days on market: … [Read more...]
Homes Sell Faster When Marketed as ‘Coming Soon’ First”
"Homes Sell Faster When Marketed as 'Coming Soon' First" - Research indicates that properties marketed as "coming soon" before being listed on the MLS generally sell faster. Amanda McMillan of Chicago-based @properties says the strategy "creates excitement so that when we do list [on the MLS], we hit with a bigger bang. People are reaching out to us, trying to get in earlier." According to off MLS CEO Bob Safranski, 173 Chicago homes posted first on off MLS and then later on the local MLS spent 28 days on average as "active" in the local MLS before going under contract, compared to an average of 42 days for homes in the same ZIP codes that were not posted on off MLS first. He says the analysis offers "compelling ... evidence of the value of pre-MLS marketing on off MLS." However, agents in Chicago and other markets must obtain written permission from sellers to withhold listings from the local MLS for longer than a certain amount of time after a listing contract is … [Read more...]