Are you thinking of putting your house on the market? In today’s transitioning real estate market, there are a lot of things to consider when selling your home. What is your time frame for moving? What is the state of the market in your town or village? How will you choose the right broker?

Market Snapshot

Have home prices stabilized in your community?  Whether you are in the earliest stages of putting your home on the market or have already listed your property, perhaps the best tool at your disposal is the Market Snapshot. In just a few moments you can have a customized, up to the minute report of the homes that have sold in your neighborhood.

Maximum Exposure Marketing

Our approach to selling real estate is to provide our clients with products and services that give them a competitive advantage in the market. We have developed our Maximum Exposure Luxury Home Marketing Program as a new way to sell homes. It combines the very best in new technology, innovative marketing and uncompromising service that yields results that can be measured.

We start by listening to your special wants, needs and goals. Only with this intimate understanding can we design a unique plan to sell your home.

Establishing the Proper Price

Statements from sellers that really have nothing to do with a home’s value

• Another agent said it was worth more
• People always offer less than asking price
• The buyers can always make an offer

Other factors that do not affect a home’s value

• The original purchase price
• Over improvement (enjoyment)
• The cost to rebuild in the current market
• Personal attachment to the property
• The owners need for equity

Dangers of overpricing your home

• Discourages qualified buyers
• Better positions competitive homes
• Reduces advertising response
• Impacts appraisal valuations
• Creates doubt & uncertainty
• Attracts owner financing & bargain hunters
• Results in your home becoming stale on the market

A proactive pricing strategy

• Overall objective is to sell your home
• The market is the common adversary (Supply & Demand)
• Past sales are not always indicative of current performance
• Proper pricing should yield one offer for every 10 showings*
• We must integrate pricing with a balanced marketing plan
• Factors affecting the sale: Location, Condition, Price, Terms, Realtor

Some thoughts on the condition that affect price

• Think like a buyer
• Start making a list
• Complete repairs before putting your home on the market

* Based on statistics from the NAR

Things to Consider when Selecting an Agent

Not all real estate agents are the same

• The real estate market is highly competitive
• 10 percent of real estate agents account for 90 percent of houses sold
• A proactive marketing approach can overcome the competition
• You need an expert to achieve the best possible outcome
• The Luxury real estate market niche requires a highly specialized broker

Promises of high prices are not always in your best interest

• Overpricing to get the listing is an old-school real estate scheme
• You deserve a written, well-researched market analysis
• Accurate pricing depends upon a true reflection of current market conditions
• Price reductions 30 days later will negatively impact your market position

The success rate for a private party sale is traditionally low

• Only 7% of qualified buyers come from yard signs
• Only 5% of qualified buyers come from newspaper ads
• Professional agents generate the most qualified buyers
• Nearly 70% of all FSBO’s eventually contact a real estate agent

Can discount brokers really get the job done?

• There are generally more homes on the market than buyers
• Proactive marketing is an expensive undertaking
• Marketing & advertising are discretionary costs eliminated for a lesser commission

An approach that gets results

• The Maximum Exposure Luxury Marketing Program brings fresh ideas to the market
• A specialized approach to your individual needs
• Negotiating strategy that is proactive rather than reactive
• Building a business one satisfied customer at a time
• Integrity that transcends personal and business life

Staging Your Home for Sale

We have prepared a complete guide to sell your home faster and for more money. It includes proven suggestions that will result in enhanced showings and buyer acceptance. Below is a list of items you should concentrate on:

Repairs

• Attention to small details provides an aura of confidence
• Treat buyers as you would yourself

Cleaning

• Focus on windows, carpeting & rugs
• Polish & clean stone, tile & wooden floors
• Pay special attention to bathrooms & kitchens

Neutralize

• Be cautious in selecting paint & carpeting
• Strive to satisfy the largest possible buying segment

Space Management

• Arrange furniture to achieve a spacious feeling
• Pack up collectibles; personalize rooms sparingly
• Use light to create a sense of space
• Concentrate on organizing closets

Atmosphere

• Be aware of odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc.
• Change carpeting where necessary
• Remove rather than mask potential problems

Staging

• Review magazine ads and furniture showrooms for ideas
• Fresh flowers, birch logs by the fireplace add warmth
• Take advantage of natural light where possible
• Ask your Realtor for a professional staging recommendation