The age old question:  What sells a home?  I have read many articles, posts and comments. There is a big school of thought that many agents, brokers believe that the answer is: The Price. I am a firm believer Price is just one of the components. The real reason a house sells is the Realtor®. The Realtor® recommends the price and the marketing strategy.

What is the Marketing Strategy? It is Staging, Open houses, broker's open houses and internet exposure.

Staging is critical, sellers who do not agree to that, I tell them it will take a great deal longer to sell their home as well as it will command less money. If they do not want to spend the money for a Professional Stager, then a t the minimum I want them to de-clutter, de-personalize their home and have it show room ready every time I am showing their home.

 I like to have an open house for the agents to see the property and then an open house for the neighbors and to get me potential buyers and future sellers. Many agents consider it a waste of their time. I have received new listings and new buyers from every one of my open houses. Now keep in mind I will only do about one open house every other week at best.

Broker's Open Houses are critical so the majority of the agents can see the home and remember the home for their present and future clients. I always like to provide food at my Broker's Open House, since then the agents stay longer and remember the home more so then if they just zipped thru.

My favorite is Internet marketing, since that is where the buyers will be coming from, I like a good Virtual Tour with Floor Plans. Most International buyers want to see the floor plan and since the majority of buyers now days are from all over the world, I target my marketing to include them rather than exclude them.

In conclusion once a buyer appears it is the Realtor® who negotiates the offer and a Realtor® who keeps the buyer in escrow until the deal closes. What are your thoughts? Let me know.

If you are a consumer  who is considering buying  or selling  a home, investment real estate, vacation homes, or beach properties in Southern California, Los Angeles, Century City, Westwood, West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Marina Del Rey, Venice or Malibu. Feel Free to give me a call at 310.486.1002 (USA) or email me at homes@endrebarath.com  or visit one of my websites at http://www.endrebarath.com  Your Pet Friendly Realtor. I contribute a portion of My commission to Local Animal Rescue Organizations.  

 
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19 Comments on The age old question: What sells a home?

JUL
24
2010

Endre,

Absolutley, it's the Realtor that sells the home or property and in addition to the staging etc. the price has to be spot on.
1:14am • #1
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Terry especially in todays market Overpriced listings just linker on.
1:19am • #2
1 Featured Post Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Endre,  I totally agree - I am a firm believer, you have to do it all...  There is no short cut these days.  In deed, the better you look & the better your priced the quicker you'll sell.  First impressions do rule. It's all about how you look to the public - on line - before they would every email or call to view the property.  If you don't look good, you better be priced good. 

 
1:28am • #3
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great point about not looking good you better be priced good:))))
1:32am • #4
3 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp

Great summary Endre.  Everything needs to be working to get a house sold in this market and hiring the right Realtor is crucial to make that happen.
2:01am • #5
517,947 Points Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I agree that you have to do it all, but pricing is what sells a home.
2:12am • #6
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lori, I agree Realtor(r) is critical. I feel sorry for the FISBO's. BTW we have friends and family in Malden how close are you to it?(saw the 781 area code)
2:13am • #7
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mark, I guess you and I will dissagree about this one. If price was the only factor then we would not need any Real Estate agents, nor Realtors, then just out of curiosity how will the word get out?How will the home sell?
2:17am • #8
1,951,407 Points 478 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master
  • 1.  Price.
  • 2.  Property Accessibility.
  • 3.  Property Condition.
  • 4.  Responsiveness (agent).

The price in the MLS attracts.

Buyers have easy access to the property.

The property is in good showing condition.

The listing agents is responsive to buyer's agent inquiries and good case management.

 

.

 
7:26am • #9
190,027 Points 7 Featured Posts

Mostly agreed.

Price, staging/condition, internet exposure.  Open houses attract business for the agent, but very few actual buyers (for that specific home).  Internet exposure drives the vast majority of truly interested buyers today.
1:50pm • #10
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Lenn, two great addition to the discussion, Responsiveness of agent as well as Accessibility of the property, thank you.
2:50pm • #11
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Sam, I agree we have come a long way in a few years as far as how to get exposure on a property. I can not even imagine selling without the internet now.
2:51pm • #12
202,942 Points 3 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Endre,
Your so right. It is the Realtor® that sells. I wish all my sellers would listen. I was in a listing yesterday and talking to the client, I am one month away from it expiring, and when I was trying to reason that we are priced out the market she would not hear of it. It was like BLAHBLAHBLAH. In one ear and out the other.
IT is tainted. Had they listened and not been so emotionally attached I would have positioned it properly.
11:01pm • #13
JUL
25
2010
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Ken< I always tell them it is my money, I spend about $2000. from the get go if they are unwilling to price it right they need some one else, and I will not be offended when they call me back in six months. I will be there for them...
1:40am • #14
JUL
31
2010

Isn't it the owner of the property who sells the home? That's just a guess on my part.

(Sorry, Endre. I just couldn't resist. LOL)
10:21pm • #15
AUG
06
2010
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Russel Very funny, thank you for commenting:))
5:19pm • #16
AUG
21
2010
1,057,134 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I'm not sure I totally agree with you.

Yes, I'd like to think that I'm 100% responsible for selling the home, but I don't think that's the case.

I think it's a combination of factors: price, location, upkeep, marketing. I've seen people pay premiums because of the location and view, even though the house itself needed a few hundred thousand dollars in repairs. Some of it also depends on any individual buyer's mentality. Buyer's have pulled out because a screen door was missing (buyer's remorse). Others have pulled out even when the Seller agreed to pay for all repairs and throw in closing costs and the 72" plasma television in the family room.

Even the lowest price doesn't always get the property sold.
10:47pm • #17
AUG
22
2010
708,419 Points 47 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jim all valid points, BTW I would worry if you agreed with me totally:)) Thank you for stoping by and adding to the dialogue.
12:26am • #18
SEP
01
2010
143,179 Points 1 Featured Post Attended Rain Camp

Endre, Price will always be the determining factor in real estate whether it's a seller's market or a buyer's market. It's always fun trying to make buyers and sellers understand this.
8:59pm • #19


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Endre Barath,Jr. Realtor Los Angeles Home Sales 310.486.1002

Beverly Hills, CA

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Beverly Hills,CA. Prudential California Realty

Address: Attn: Endre Barath,Jr., 9696 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA, 90210

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