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How Homeowners Can Get from ‘For Sale’ to ‘Sold’

Reblogger Nancy Milton Holtzscher
Real Estate Agent with RE/MAX Alliance in St.Louis' Illinois suburbs 475.122155

The post below was written by a terrific Realtor named Judy Chapman who sells real estate in the Orlando area, but it is filled with great information and advice that applies to everyone selling a home in my territory of Madison County in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs.

Questions about selling your Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Troy or Collinsville home? Call me at 618-791-8007 or click on www.JustDuckyHomes.com.  --Nancy

Original content by Judy Chapman

Face facts. The consensus is in. The real estate market is the worst it’s been in decades. What’s more, there isn’t going to be a miracle ‘V’ recovery, so say many economists. When the market does recover, house appreciation will be slow and steady. Even then, it’s unlikely the market will regain full value for at least 10 years or more.

 

Now is NOT the time to make a killing. Got a lake property? An estate? Acreage? A ritzy house in a ‘to-die-for’ suburb. Think the land is worth more than the house? Own a unique property that only a select few would be interested in purchasing? Counting on a tear-down opportunity? These days, buyers aren’t in the mood for speculating. They’re looking for houses in tip-top condition that won’t lose value down the line.

 

Don’t fight the market. Not only is the market is too strong for any one homeowner to combat, it can’t be fought or outsmarted.

 

Not all MLS listings are created alike. While the attraction of saving commission with a discount broker is appealing, in today’s market every property needs TLC and full marketing support. National companies spend big bucks to appear at the top of popular real estate Web sites, and for good reason. The more buyers they can attract to their listings, the better their sales.

 

Stop thinking you know more than your real estate agent. The best agents live with real estate 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. They eat, drink, sleep, and even dream real estate. When you think you know better than your agent, ask yourself this question: How much time lately have I spent studying the real estate market? If your answer is less than 12 hours a day, then you really don’t know anything.

 

Don’t try to convince yourself that your house is the exception to the rule. EVERY HOUSE has been affected by this ‘Buyer’s Market of all Buyer’s Markets’. Even yours!

 

Price your house competitively. And if, after a reasonable amount of time, the price doesn’t generate enough showings, lower it. Not just once or twice, but tenaciously ... about 1 to 2% every month. There’s nothing worse for a homeowner’s morale than to have a house sit on the market with absolutely no interest and no buyers.

 

Don’t leave negotiation room in the list price. Usually the ‘negotiation zone’ is exactly the amount that will keep a buyer from seriously considering your house. When a house is overpriced, buyers are convinced the sellers are not only being unrealistic but will dig in their heels during negotiations. Because of that, many a buyer — who might otherwise love your house — won’t even try to make an offer.

 

Think like a buyer. You were a buyer once, remember? When you were on the other side, didn’t you approach the purchase with the idea that there was no way you were going to pay more for the house than it was worth? Guess what? The buyer of your house is thinking exactly the same way.

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Proudly selling real estate in Oviedo, East Orlando, Winter Springs, Lake Mary, City of Orlando, Maitland & Winter Park 

 

Neighborhoods in Oviedo - Aloma Woods, Bentley Woods, Little Creek, Kingsbridge, Riverside at Twin Rivers, Alafaya Woods, Live Oak Reserve and many other others

Neighborhoods in East Orlando - Avalon Park, Eastwood, Stoneybrook, Waterford, Cypress Springs and many others

Neighborhoods in Winter Springs - Tuscawilla, Parkstone and many others

Neighborhoods in Lake Mary - Heathrow, Magnolia Plantation, Timacuan, Woldunn and many others

Neighborhoods in the City of Orlando - Baldwin Park, Lake Nona, Delaney Park, Thornton Park, College Park, Colonialtown, Audubon Park and many others

Neighborhoods in Maitland - Dommerich Estates, Lake Sybelia, Lake Colony, Maitland Club, Maitland Forest, Minnehaha Shores, Stonehill and many others

Neighborhoods in Winter Park - Comstock Park, Lake Knowles Terrace, Sylvan Lake Shores, Charmont, Orwin Manor and many others

 

Florida Licensed Sales Associate, REALTOR®

Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate

521 E Mitchell Hammock Road

Oviedo, FL 32765

 

Specializing in Short Sales and Luxury/Lake Properties

To put your home on the market, please feel free to reach me direct at (407) 227-7763.

 

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Enjoy life in the (618) area code in Southwestern Illinois, St. Louis' Illinois suburbs. SEARCH FOR HOMES HERE.

 

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I help good people buy and sell good homes in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs, with special emphasis on the Metro East communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville, Troy and surrounding areas in Madison County, Illinois.

Are you a teacher, firefighter, law enforcement officer, medical professional or active duty or retired military? Then ask me about Homes for Heroes, offering substantial savings on home purchases. Learn more at Homes For Heroes.

For more information or to search for homes, visit my sites at NancyMilton.com618Life.com, or GoshenRealtyGroup.com or send an email to me at Nancy@GoshenRealtyGroup.com. Text or call Nancy Milton Holtzscher, your Edwardsville Realtor, at 618-791-8007 any time.

REMAX Preferred Partners is located at One 157 Center, Edwardsville, IL 62025, 618-791-8007 (direct) 618-655-1188 (office). We're easy to find on IL-157 in Edwardsville between Pasta House Co. and Shenanigans. Each office is independently owned and operated.

Comments(1)

Pat Tasker
Shorewest Realtors - Germantown, WI
Your Milwaukee Metro Area Agent (WI)

thanks Judy and Nancy....the key is not just giving the advice, but more importantly, if the clients listens and follows the advice..

Aug 18, 2009 04:14 PM