Putting your home for sale to take advantage of the spring market is a big task. In order to take advantage of the buying frenzy that occurs in March through July, you must make sure that you home is among the very best on the market. This typically involves touching up the paint, pressure washing the exterior, freshening the landscape, and making your home warm and inviting. However, most sellers do that and more and completely ignore the most critical step which is previewing the competition.
Selling real estate is, to an extent, a beauty contest. The judges (the buyers) will be evaluating your home against their own expectations and against the home homes in your market. Therefore, it just makes sense to see what the other homes are offering. One way is by the computer, visiting a real estate website and seeing what homes are for sale around you. If the site has a way for you to sign up to receive other homes for sale when they come on the market, take advantage and sign up. However, the best way is to go in person which will either involve your Realtor or waiting for an open house. I've done this many times with clients since I've usually been through their competitor homes already. The advantage to going in person is that your senses are able to experience what this home has to offer inside and out, most importantly what the listing agent's photos are leaving out. That a home has a heavy pet odor or that a home was occupied by a smoker are usually things not found in the general listing description. After all, most buyers don't say "I'd love a house that smells like urine!" but that may be the reason for that low price. Other things to look for is the overall condition (inside and out) of the home, including layout.
While this may take a few hours of a weekend, it is well worth the visit to your competitor homes as the information gathered from your excursion will guide you during the listing process.
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