Valley Real Estate

Location

There is no way around it. As the saying goes, location does plays a very large part in the value of your home. But, even though you probably can't do much about 'where' your house is, you have all the say in determining the next four four reasons your home will sell.

Price

You control the asking price. The right asking price is second only to location in importance. If you over price your home it will only be seen (if at all) by buyers in a price range above yours. This usually means they are comparing your house to other houses they've seen that are probably larger and with more amenities. Your overpriced house will always come in second with these buyers.

If you over price your home, buyers who are looking for just what your house offers won't see your home because it's priced above  their pre-qualified price ceiling. They will first see other houses priced correctly to the market and never get around to yours.

Q: " Well, even if my house is overpriced, can't someone can just make me an offer?"

A: " Possibly, but because the wrong buyers are seeing it, the offer usually never comes!  Buyers who see your home are looking for homes in a particular price range. Your home likely will not compare to the other houses they see in that price range because it is over-priced. Buyers will quickly toss your home out of the mix. Your overpriced home only makes the other homes they see sell faster!"

Sellers, too often, inflate their asking price simply to 'give them room to negotiate.' This tactic is dangerous in a buyers' market. When buyers' are faced with lots of choices, they will always pick the best listing at the best price and ask questions later. Your 'room-for-negotiation-priced' home will be shunned.

Over-priced homes will almost always need a price reduction to get them into a range that will finally sell. If the market is a buyers' market and is trending down while your home languishes unsold, you could end up having to sell your home for far less than if you had priced it correctly from the start.

The right price can only be determined by a well researched computer evaluation called a Comparable Market Analysis comparing your home to similar homes that have recently sold as well as other homes on the market.

Condition of the property

Equal to  price in importance is condition, because it's condition that controls your price. Keep in mind that condition is often a matter of perception. You could have a new roof, new furnace and AC, and updated electric service, but if your carpeting is faded, home needs painted, and kitchen cabinets are chipped and worn, all the good things you've done to improve your home will probably be overlooked or discounted too heavily.

See also:

• 20 Staging and Conditioning Tips For Selling Your Home

• Remodeling That pays

Staging

Staging your home to sell is not conditioning, nor is it decorating.  It's understanding that the way you live in a home is NOT the way you sell your home. It's de-cluttering and depersonalizing your home to appeal to all buyers and 'theatrically staging' each room to magnify the personality and features of each room. Remember, the price of staging your home will be considerably less than your first price reduction.

See also:

• Make Your Home Irresistible
• Accredited Staging Professional

• Home Stager's Cheat Sheet

  

  It's not redecorating - it's about re-arranging what you already have and making a few improvements to appeal to more buyers. Download here.

   

Marketing

and the REALTOR^® YOU select.

If buyers can't find your home, all your conditioning and staging is for naught. It must be marketed, and the marketing of your home will only be as good as the real estate agent YOU select.

Marketing isn't just advertising and holding open houses. It's knowing where and how to advertise a particular home to reach a particular audience. It's net-working with other agents who may be working with buyers in your neighborhood. It's showing off your home to maximize it's appeal. It's an internet strategy that works.

It's doing a great deal of homework and even more leg work. See why  full-time professional RE/MAX REALTORS like the HomeTeam your best choice.

See also:

• Why Use The HomeTeam
• How to Choose A REALTOR
• Internet Technology