UPDATED 2019
In Winnetka and the surrounding North Shore villages, the housing industry generaly kicks into gear after the Super Bowl - there's no good reason for this except nobody wants to go outside in January. Real estate agents often say that biggest selling time is spring, which is actually the beginning of February through April/May.
So if you will be putting your house up for sale in the spring, consider not making these costly mistakes:
-
Pricing Your House Too High - This is the single most important reason why your home won't sell - in any market! This is where a knowledgeable and experienced realtor can help you with comparable homes for sale and sold properties. We have had a housing oversupply for many months and the competition is stiff.
-
Not Staging and Making Repairs - unfortunatley, many of us live with the little idiosyncracies of our houses until we get ready to sell. We think if it was okay for us, it'll be okay for the buyers. Not so - this is the time to get those little things repaired, walls and trim painted, and general decluttering. Consult with a professional stager to clear and rearrange furniture and accessories.
-
Waiting for a Better Market - it you need or want to sell, do it now. Waiting for a "better" market to rebound is like gazing into a crystal ball - nothing is for certain in real estate.
-
Not Getting Good Quality Photos Taken - Pre-digital cameras and interenet, agents took photos of their listings themselves. Guess what - some still do. At Baird & Warner we hire professional photographers for every listing and our home shows are exquisite to view. How do you want someone 1000 miles to view your house online! Be sure to check your listings online as well - too many sellers never bother to see the quality of their presentation.
-
Using False Advertising - If your house has 3 bedrooms and a 4th in the basement, call it a 3 bedroom home. That way the buyer will be happily surprised to find the 4th one in the basement, rather than expecting all four to be above ground. If your kitchen was updated in 2005, it's not an updated or newer kitchen!
-
Making Your House Hard to Show - be flexible, leave the house, stay out of the way. Don't put up any restrictions - even a sleeping baby can handle an important showing (with mom quietly in another room.) In general, don't ask your broker to accompany showings - other agents and their buyers are put off by this and would rather view the home alone.
-
Being Offended by Low Ball Offers - Home buyers love to haggle over the price and many feel cheated if they can't get a good negotiation going. Don't turn your nose up at anything - many sellers who have done so have ended up with a new listing price lower than some of their earlier offers.
-
Not Making Sure the Buyer is Qualified - again, another job a seasoned agent will do for you. No offer is any good if the buyer is not qualified and there are several things that should be checked.
- Choosing the Wrong Real Estate Broker - how would you know? Ask about experience and local knowledge. Check for their online presence and how they present their current listings. Ask for referals and testimonials. Make sure you get along with and trust your real estate broker and that you have the same vision. Be wary of the one who gives you the highest price for your home without substantiating comps.
While you're here, please see ALL NORTH SHORE HOMES FOR SALE
Sign up to get monthly North Shore real estate news delivered to your inbox.
It's free, we'll never sell your info, and you can opt-out at any time.
Enter your email address at: North Shore Newsletter
Margaret Goss is a full-time real estate broker since 1998 working in the North Shore communities of Winnetka, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Glencoe, Northfield, Glenview, and Evanston.
She can be reached at:
Phone: 847-977-6024
Email: margaret.goss@bairdwarner.com
See her full BIOGRAPHY
Comments(4)