ITEMS YOU CANNOT CONTROL:

The Marketplace

You may have heard the terms 'Buyer's Market' or 'Seller's Market' to identify the current state of the marketplace. A Buyer's Market tends to favor the Buyer in terms and pricing. Typically in a Buyer's Market, homes may stay on the market a little longer, there may be more inventory than actual buyers, and you may have to adjust your pricing.

A Seller's Market favors the Seller. In a Seller's Market, homes may sell faster, with some competition in offers, and may even sell above the listing price.

Interest Rates may also affect the marketplace. A lower rate spurs buying, and rising rates may cause some Buyers to wait until rates lower. Many times Buyers may have qualified to purchase a home based on the lower rate, and now find themselves priced out of the marketplace.

As the type of marketplace shifts, you may want to re-evaluate your position in the sale of your home. You cannot control the marketplace, but you can control how you react to it!

Other Properties For Sale

As soon as you make the decision to list your property for sale, you will inevitably notice all of the other For Sale signs in your area! While you may not have the only property for sale, you can definitely check out the competition.

Having a good idea of what price the other properties in your area are listed at, what condition they are in, and how long they have been on the market can give you a competitive edge in the sale of your property.

ITEMS YOU CAN CONTROL:

The Use of a REALTOR®

Using a REALTOR® to list your property can reduce the stress that goes along with a transaction. There are a number of documents, obligations, timelines, inspections and other important items associated with the sale of your home, and a HomeSmart Agent can help you with all of them.

HomeSmart Agents have access to marketing and listing tools that will expose your property to a great deal of clients. That means a larger pool of potential Buyers for your home.

The Listing Price

You never want to feel as though you are “giving away” your home, but properly pricing your house will have a significant impact on how quickly it sells. Homes receive the most viewings during the first few weeks on the market. To list your home at a higher price to test the waters, may be damaging your opportunity for a showing to a qualified Buyer.
Higher offers tend to accompany a fair market value, and other Agents will be more likely to show your property enthusiastically if they believe it is a good value for their clients.

Remember, the value of a home is established by what Buyers agree to pay for the home, and what Sellers agree to sell the home for.

Additional Terms and Conditions

Not all Buyers can purchase a home without any terms. Most Buyers need financing, some time to possibly sell their own home, and usually have q request for a repair or two.

Maintaining an open mind about terms and conditions may make your property more favorable than another. Helping with closing costs, agreeing to a longer or shorter close of escrow and offering a home warranty on your property are just some of the ways you can assist a Buyer.

Depending on the marketplace and the other properties for sale, these may just do the trick when listing your home. Your HomeSmart Agent can give you advice on which terms and conditions may work best for you.

Suitability

With home improvement shows growing on popularity, many Sellers realize that the condition of the property can make or break a deal. First impressions are powerful, and you should use all of your resources to insure that your home shows well.

Keeping the outside landscaping trimmed, touching up kitchens and bathrooms with simple painting and caulking, making minor repairs, and keeping the house clean can mean the difference between a Buyer putting an offer on your home or on another one listed in your area.

Your HomeSmart Agent can give you some other helpful tips on the best way to present your home for sale.

Remember, it's a Smart move…with HomeSmart!