Dave Ratti
888-200-9443
Your Steps to Selling Successfully
Step 1: Plan and Prepare
Some 5 million existing homes are sold each year, and while each transaction is different every owner wants the same thing - the best possible deal with the least amount of hassle and aggravation.
Unfortunately, home selling has become a more complex business than it used to be. New seller disclosure statements, longer and more mysterious form agreements, and a range of legal and environmental concerns have all emerged in the past decade.
Are you ready?
The home-selling process typically starts several months before a property is
made available for sale. It's necessary to look at a home through the eyes of a
prospective buyer and determine what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired and
tossed out.
Ask yourself: If you were buying this home what would you want to see? The goal is to show a home which looks good, maximizes space and attracts as many buyers - and as much demand - as possible.
While part of the "getting ready" phase relates to repairs, painting and other home improvements, this is also a good time to ask why you really want to sell.
When should you sell?
Generally speaking, markets tend to have some balance between buyers and
sellers year-round. In a given community, for example, there may be fewer buyers
in late December, but these Buyers are deadly serious and there are also likely to be fewer homes available for
purchase. So, home prices tend to rise or fall because of general demand
patterns rather than the time of the year.
Owners are encouraged to sell when the property is ready for sale, there is a need or desire to sell, and the services of a local licensed Real Estate Representative have been retained.
How do you improve your home's value?
The general rule in real estate is that buyers seek the least expensive home in
the best neighborhood they can afford. In terms of improvements, this means you
want a home that fits in the neighborhood but is not over-improved. For example,
if most homes in your neighborhood have three bedrooms, two baths and 2,300 sq.
ft. of finished space, a property with five bedrooms, more baths and far more
space would likely be priced much higher and likely be more difficult to sell.
Improvements should be made so that the property shows well, is consistent with the neighborhood and does not involve capital investments, the cost of which cannot be recovered from the sale. Furthermore, improvements should reflect community preferences.
Cosmetic improvements - paint, wallpaper and landscaping - help a home "show" better and often are good investments. Mechanical repairs - to ensure that all systems and appliances are in good working condition - are required to get a top price.
Ideally, you want to be sure that your property is competitive with other homes available in the community. As your licensed Real Estate Representative, who sees numerous homes, I can provide suggestions that are consistent with our marketplace.