Subject: A Fast Sale Can Be All In The Way You Market
Why does one home in a neighborhood sell faster than another that is similar in price and size? Marketing!
An effective marketing plan goes a long way in making your home seem a better buy than the next, therefore attracting more potential buyers. Your real estate professional can help you with advertising, such as flyers, newspaper ads, yard signs, Internet listings, but as the seller, there are things you can do too.
Pricing
Price your home to sell. Homes that are priced within market value sell much faster than those overpriced. Overpricing your home can cause you to miss out potential purchase offers, because buyers may think that you aren't a serious seller. You should work with your real estate professional to come up with a competitive asking price.
Appearance
Make a good first impression. The appearance-inside and out-is important to selling your home quickly. The outside of the home is the first thing the buyer sees. Make sure that the yard is well-manicured, bushes and trees are groomed, and the yard is free of debris.
On the inside, neutral colors and traditional layouts are thought of as "safe options" that appeal to most buyers. Homes with strong colors or busy wallpaper might make the home more difficult to sell.
Clear those counters and tables. If there is too much clutter around the home, chances are the potential buyer won't see the home for what it's really worth. Clutter will also make the home look smaller than it actually is.
Your real estate professional can help suggest ways to "set the stage" and make the property ready for showing.
Leave the house
Give the buyer space. Most real estate professionals agree that a home sells faster when the seller is not present when prospective buyers are viewing the home. Oftentimes, buyers feel uncomfortable around the seller and might not inspect everything they would want to. They might not want to offend the buyer or seem impolite. As a result, potential buyers may rush through the showing and simply move on to the next home on their list.
Availability
Make your home easily available for showing. If you have a complicated showing procedure-such as needing 24-hour notice for previews, you may cut off a good portion of the buying market. Many requests from real estate professionals are for same-day, even last minute, showings.
If you are considering selling your home, enlist the help of a real estate professional who can assist you in creating an efficient marketing plan-a marketing plan that not only gives you the price you deserve, but also ensures that the property sells in a timely manner. A good real estate professional should be able to give you valuable advice on how to best meet both these goals.
"Real Service in Real Estate." For a personal consultation on buying or selling real estate, Janis Peterson, GRI, CSP Realtor® can be reached at (610) 642-3744, e-mail: jp4re@pahomes.com. Prudential Fox & Roach Realtors® is an independently owned and operated member of The Prudential Real Estate Affiliates, Inc.
