Here are some really good thoughts, especially for those selling when nobody is buying.
Get real about price. Don’t obsess over what you could have gotten had you sold earlier. Consider inventory in your price range. If there are a lot of properties like yours, you might want to undercut the competition.
Vet your agent. Selling amidst a major market downturn is tough work. When you hire a realtor, make sure they have a track record. Ideally, you want someone who knows how to weather a down market.
Pimp your house — consider hiring a home stager. Staging a home is all the rage these days. If you don’t know how to property stage your home, it might be worth bringing in a pro who will help rearrange furniture, move extraneous items to storage, etc. Remember, regardless of the time of year, you want your curb appeal to be as high as possible.
Cash will make your home look even better. Instead of offering some sort of gimmick such as a car or cruise to the lucky buyer of your home, consider throwing in some cash. Offer to pay part of the buyer’s closing costs.
Underwater? Learn to swim. If you bought recently, your mortgage may be larger than what you can get for your home. If you have no choice but to move (say for a new job) you still have some options. For one, you might be able to get your employer to cover the difference. Alternatively, if the rental market is holding up, you could rent out your house while you wait out the slump. Finally, you can always sell for as much as you can and then make up the difference out of your savings.
For more help on selling your home check out "7 Keys to Selling Your House" on our website. Here you can get more in-depth information on pricing, curb appeal, home staging and what to fix to sell. We also have some tips on interviewing agents.
Are you a homeowner relocating in and out of the Washington, DC area? Is your current space too small for the needs of your family? Is your current space too cumbersome or unnecessary for you?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then this webinar is for you!
Register for a session now by clicking this link: Wed, Mar 14, 2012 7 - 8 PM EDT
Once registered, you will receive an email confirming your registration with information required to join the webinar. We'll answer all of your real estate-related questions, and we'll offer the support you need and want to make your transaction – and your transition – as smooth as possible.
Emcee Arah - "the REALTOR with Architectural Dimension" – is both a Certified Distress Property Expert (CDPE) and a Certified Investor Agent Specialist (CIAS). He is uniquely equipped to assist you in navigating the residential real estate market in DC and the Maryland suburbs. Contact us online or by phone at (301) 452-5252. And don't forget to leave your comments below, or on our Facebook page – we'd love to hear from you!
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