6 Must Do's for Sellers in a Flat Market
In today's Sonoma County and Marin County market, where there are more active properties than pending properties and the buyer pool is pretty much asleep, these 5 seller must do's will help attract the right ready, willing and able buyer to your home.
Remember, the buyer pool is looking for their new home. From the moment they walk in, they are assessing what life would be like and how your house will fit as their home.
1) The number one strategy for selling your home is pricing it correctly. If there are other homes in your neighborhood sitting on the market, consider pricing it lower. If those homes haven't sold, why would they buy your house for the same price? Is it that much better?
2) Your house needs to be thoroughly cleaned and personal items removed. Preferably you've already moved out before your house comes on the market.
3) Defending the price of your home will require a well documented packet of the condition of your home. Don't leave fixes for the buyer to do after they have to move in. Todays buyers are looking for move in ready homes they don't need to invest more money in. They're already paying 6% on their purchase and they are tapped out.
4) The presentation of your house matters a lot. Staging goes a long way and the NAR statistics prove how staging pays for itself, is reflected in the final sale price, number of offers presented as well as days on market. Conversely, homes without staging take longer to sell and often require multiple price reductions.
5) Marketing your home isn't as easy peasy as putting up pictures and describing the home. It's a lifestyle. Make it about what kind of life the new buyer will want to buy into.
6) Hire the right agent. I can't tell you how important it is to have a local knowledgable agent able to defend your homes value, present it properly and guide you through contract negotiations. Hiring the wrong agent could cost you thousands of dollars.
