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...]
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...]