The 7 P’s of Selling Homes in Clark County, WA

My listings get sold in Clark County, WA -  generally for a price close to list, and within a time period of 1 - 3 months. How do I do it? The answer is in the P's.

Preparation:  Staging is always  best and will generally help sell your home for a bit more and in less time. However, at a minimum, all homes must be clean, in optimal condition and attractively presented. Inside and out! 

I walk through your home pointing out any problems or issues prior to listing. (For example, if your neighbor’s back windows look into yours - consider adding strategically placed trees to give the home more privacy.) It’s all about accentuating the positives and minimizing the negatives.

Of course, I have a list of staging professionals and other vendors to get jobs done right, if we need to take that next step.

Pricing : Pricing a property correctly means it needs to be realistic and competitive. Period. When I price your home it’s not personal. My job is to get your home sold, within a realistic time frame, and at  the best price possible in the current market. Therefore, the first step in properly pricing any property is research, research research.

First, I pull the tax records on your home and determine property values in your neighborhood - are they going up or down? It’s important to see if your particular area has been hit harder, or less, than the current market value declines in Clark County, WA.

I will then look at the most recent sold properties in your neighborhood and place emphasis on those most similar to yours. If I have to, I will slowly expand the search, and work hard to find several of the closest matches to your home. 

To determine pricing, I take a physical look at the competition, often with you. We want to see exactly where your property fits in terms of the other active listings. It’s always my desire to place your home at the top of the list in desirability for the price point.

Naturally, I include a net sheet representing several likely scenarios with my CMA. That gives you a realistic expectation of what you can expect to pocket at closing.

Professional Marketing Plan: My plan is based on target demos. Who are the likely buyers of your home? Once, I’ve determined ( often with your input) the most likely group(s), my marketing efforts are fine-tuned to appeal to those demographics.

In addition to the usual - yard sign, MLS input,  company websites feature, lockbox and professional photos and video tours, I concentrate a lot of energy on internet marketing. After all, that’s where the majority of buyers begin their search!

My areas of expertise include: blogging, professional networks, individual property websites, video production, and related links to drive the target demo to your listing. In addition, your property will be available in a variety of high traffic locations, including Active Rain, YouTube, RealBird, Trulia and some of the other most popular national home websites used by buyers.

Perception: Perception is everything in negotiation. Good communication involves scenarios that create trust and respect - for all parties. My negotiation style is friendly and firm. I stand by the bottom line, but work to create the right expectations from the beginning to minimize surprises.  That attitude begins at the offer, continues to the inspection, and right on through until closing - and beyond, if necessary.

Pro-Active:  The devil is in the details. Contracts, inspections, loan documents, appraisals, etc. all have to be properly executed and delivered by the necessary deadlines. I work with the buyer’s agent to ensure a smooth and timely conclusion to the transaction. It's important to stay on top of the deadlines, and in the loop with all the team members involved in the transaction.

Personal:  I pride myself on highly customized and personalized service. I don’t believe that people are a one-size-fits-all, therefore I treat each client with the top notch service they deserve, while getting to know them better. You’ll hear from me on a regular basis ( generally, several times a week) - sometimes to check in with the latest marketing results, or perhaps to see how you’re holding up with those frequent showings.

In short, it is truly my pleasure to work with, and for you.