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Pricing your Charlotte NC home to sell

By
Real Estate Agent with Suburban Properties of Charlotte, LLC NC 251339/SC 67468

Pricing your Charlotte NC home to sell.   I have written many articles about pricing your Charlotte, NC home to sell but a recent listing appointment really hit home on this point.  

I recently went on a listing appointment to meet a couple who was referred to me by a dear friend.  They were a lovely couple just as nice as could be and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them and spending time to review my listing presentation. The house was immaculate, their furniture was up to date...BUT the house was dated, floral wall paper, outdated bathrooms, outdated kitchen, I could go on and on.  They had owned the home for over 45 years, added on over the years (including some things that were very personal and not very marketable), this home was part of the family and there was a high emotional attachment to it by the owner which meant they were completely out of touch with the reality of what this home would be worth in the current Charlotte real estate market.

I spent several hours going through the home with them while they pointed out every detail and then went back to the office to prepare my listing presentation.  I knew I was going to have to walk gingerly around the subject of their home's condition and how to price their Charlotte NC home to sell.  To them the house was perfect and worth top dollar;  to a buyer it would be no more than a dated fixer with good bones at best.

I began my listing presenation as I always do, with a review of market conditions and an explanation of what it takes to sell a home in today's real estate market:

  • Absorption rate - how long it will take the current inventory to sell if no other homes come on to the market. Current absorption rate in their area 12 months ie: their is a 12 month supply of homes on the market.  Six months supply is a balanced market, less than 6 months supply is a seller's market, more than 6 months supply is a buyer's market. They are in a buyer's market.
  • In order for your home to sell quickly you MUST address the two things you have control over - Price and Condition.  Pricing your home ahead of  the market (at or slightly lower than current comparable sales and actives) gives you the highest probability of selling.  Condition, putting your home in the best most cost effective condition gives you an advantage over the competition who does nothing.
  • I also included a chart I obtained from my Ninja selling class to hit home this point:
If you price your home at:
15% over fair market value, you have a 10% chance it will sell
10% over fair market value, you have a 30% chance it will sell
5% over fair market value, you have a 50% chance it will sell
At or below fair market value, 95% chance it will sell !!!

Pricing your Charlotte, NC home to sell
 
I also explain in my listing presenation that the first 30 days are the most critical for any listing. That is when you get the most activity and if the home is priced and staged correctly the highest probability of getting an offer is in that window or shortly there after.  If you overprice it during this period to "see" if you can get more money, you end up wasting time, going through multiple price reductions and chasing the market.  Time and time again statistics prove that someone who over prices their home ends up getting less than if they priced it correctly in the first place.
 Pricing your Charlotte, NC home to sell
 
Even after spending hours with these prospective seller's explaining the concept of pricing your Charlotte NC home to sell it still did not seem to sink in as they wanted to overprice the property almost 30% over my recommended number.  Ultimately and very diplomatically I told them I would have to decline the listing if they were unable to price it within my guidelines and follow my staging recommendations.  They were a bit stunned that I would decline their business.  I further explained to them that as a business person it did not make sense for me to spend time and money to list a property that had little to no chance of selling.  No business operates that way including real estate!

Comments (12)

Bas Panch
SCV Home Buyer - Valencia, CA

Hi Jennifer. Great post! I agree that pricing your home just right helps it to sell faster. Thanks for putting this information out there, keep up the good work as a top Charlotte Short Sale Agents!

Mar 20, 2012 12:51 PM
Stephanie Anson
Anson Properties - Gainesville, FL
Estates | Homes | Land | Investments

I admire you Jennifer for telling them the truth, but that's what they need. They need to realize that their 45 year old home may not sell as the new 10 year old or younger homes. Great job on this transaction. Charlotte Short Sale Agents should look up to you on handling situations like these.

Mar 22, 2012 08:52 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Jennifer - It's all about nailing the price right to begin with.  Too many homes on the market for price gauging.

Mar 27, 2012 11:48 PM
Jennifer Manchester
Suburban Properties of Charlotte, LLC - Mint Hill, NC
GRI, ePRO, ASP - Broker/Home Stager

Thanks for the comment John.  Even though sales are picking up, you still have to get the price right!

Mar 28, 2012 12:34 AM
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

Jennifer, pricing a dated home is very important, as any buyer will need to come in and update!   Great points!

Apr 02, 2012 12:07 AM
Sidney Kutchuk
Property Management & Sales at REALTY WORKS TEMECULA, CA 92590 (951) 217-6745 - Temecula, CA
Property Management & Sales Experts 951-217-6745

As always,I'm always impress with the good talent of Jennifer.I agree with you.Right pricing faster selling.Wonderful Blog.Keep it up and Stay top notch charlotte short sale agent.

Apr 06, 2012 03:40 AM
Kim & Kristine Halverson
Sotheby's & Knipe ERA - Bend, OR
Sisters, Realtors

Wonderful Presentation Jennifer.Another good blog from you.You're definitely the best charlotte short sale agent. 

Apr 16, 2012 04:11 AM
Katerina Gasset
The Gasset Group & Get It Done For Me Virtual Services - Provo, UT
Amplify Your Real Estate & Life Dreams!

Hi Jennifer,

Excellent presentation here,very professional.Thank you for making us aware of this.Good job.Stay the best Charlotte Short Sale Agent.

 

Apr 17, 2012 02:12 AM
Jayne Clement
Keller Williams Realty - Los Feliz, CA
Los Angeles Short Sale Agents

Hi Jennifer,

Another top notch presentation here.What can I say with your expertise as Charlotte Short Sale Agent it just shows with your work.

Apr 17, 2012 02:45 AM
Brian L. Sirota, Esq.
Bristar Realty (Realtor/Attorney) - Orange, CA
For Solutions: (714) 501-7660

Jennifer, how did your "Ninja selling class" come up with a chart assessing the odds of selling relative to market value?    It's a great concept if there's an authoritative basis for it.    Brian

Sep 07, 2012 07:04 AM
Debbie Harr
Homes that Click Realtors - Columbus, OH
Realtor Homes That Click, Worthington Ohio Homes

Hi Jennifer,

Wonderful presentation, pricing homes are definitely a great idea to sell them faster, you’re definitely the top notch of Charlotte Short Sale Agents.

 

Oct 01, 2012 05:01 PM
Erika Rogers
Red Rock Real Estate ~ Southern Utah's Largest Independent Brokerage - Saint George, UT
St George Utah Real Estate & Relocation Specialist

Hello Jennifer,
I love your presentation! Easy to understand. This is very helpful to anyone. Keep up the good work!  You're definitely the finest Charlotte short sale agent.

Nov 20, 2012 10:29 AM