When you plan on selling your home you have a series of thoughts. How is the market doing? How fast can we sell our home, how much can we make and how should we price it? If you are considering using a Real Estate agent then that is a whole other list of questions. But all I want to talk about today is proper pricing.

There is a curve in all markets, but it's never more important then in a buyers market. Your goal as a seller is to always stay in front of the curve. Those on the curve will probably eventual sell, but with most expiring off the market. Those behind the curve will never sell and only become tired and frustrated with real estate. By staying in front of the curve you give yourself a fighting chance out there in the competitive market. I know the news media spreads doom and gloom but people are still buying homes, they always will. People will always need a place to live, people will always move from one area to another. There are buyers out there but if you are not in front of the curve then you are not in front of these buyers.

Proper education is key and a great Real Estate Agent will do just that. When looking at a market analysis you want to analyze what has sold in your area (and I dont just mean your neighborhood). Put yourself in a buyers shoes, if they are looking at your home what other areas in a few mile radius would you consider? That is your market area. Now once you have a handle on that I tend to look at price per sq ft to come up with the most accurate pricing for appraisals.

But on to the next step you must be aware of how many homes are currently under contract in your market. Is your market warmer then others, are people looking to live in your area or is it kind of chilly? 

Last but not least your competition. These are homes currently on the market waiting to snatch up your buyer and do what they can to entice them to their side of the fence, but it's not just resale homes you have to compete with.

Big Bad Builder is also there doing all that they can to sell just above cost to make their dollars and move on to the next project. If they could give you the sun they would, plus the home buyer gets a brand new house.

Oh but wait in this new market we have Slimy Short Sale competing for your buyers. Promising stellar deals pennies on the dollar, they will give you the moon and the stars.

So how to you compete with these sellers? Well pricing properly has a lot to do with it, but also having a top notch realtor who understands your market, the buyers in your market and the competition puts you in the front line of defense. There are tons of ways to make your home stand out to buyers over those Slimy Short Sales and it's not that hard. Big Bad Builder well he is a little harder but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.

Oh wait you thought I was going to tell you all my secrets, no that's why you have to email or call me. But I will give you one tip. Ask your agent when interviewing them why they price the house at $199,900 or $274,900? I bet their response is something along the lines of "well it's the psychology behind getting a good price it sounds better then $275,000."  Sorry people we arent selling bananas. When you do a home search on any real estate website they most likely give you a range to choose from: $175,000-$200,000 or $200,000-$300,000. Now if I price your home at $199,900 sure when someone types in $175,000-$200,000 your home will come up, but if I type in $200,000-$300,000 your home is no where to be seen because of a $100 and what your agent says is the "psychology of a good price" but I use whole numbers like $200,000 so now your home shows up in twice as many peoples searches doubling your chances for a sale. Takes a good agent with street smarts in todays market. 

If you are looking to sell your home then pick up the phone and start PACKING!

For information on buying or selling in Central Florida, Orange County and Seminole County, new construction or Relocation services contact your Lake Mary Real Estate Agent Heather Joubran @ 407-810-6304 or hjoubran@remax.net Seminole County consists of Lake Mary, Sanford, Heathrow, Longwood, Altamonte springs, Winter Springs, Oviedo. Orange County consists of Orlando, Downtown Orlando, Baldwin Park, Windermere, Apopka, Winter Park, Maitland, Disney, UCF, East Orlando, Lake Nona. I can help you with all your housing needs from Luxury Homes to First Time Home Buyers.

I have successfully helped over 100+ families buy or sell real estate.