Preparing Your Home for the Market, How to Sell your Home-Not Just List It

How To Sell Your Home - Not Just List It         

As a Real Estate Professional for ERA Ace Realty, We have all heard or read the many tips for getting your home ready to go on the market. Suggestions such as placing fresh flowers on the table, baking cookies, turning on the lights and removing family photos sounds like good advice but it does not take into consideration that most people work and are not home to turn on the lights, flowers die quickly and most of the buyers (80 to 90%) are looking online before they ever decide to visit your home in person. The tips below will teach you staging techniques for today's buyers and explain the "why" behind all you have heard for years.

First Things First... The first thing you need to know about selling is that in every market it takes the same 3 things to sell a home.

They are: exposure, condition and the right price. Many sellers wonder why their homes fail to sell. In fact, national statistics say that only 10% of the homes for sale by owner actually sell by owner. The 90% that failed to sell usually list with a realtor. Only 70% of the homes listed for sale with Realtors actually sell. The 30% that fail to sell generally keep their homes as investment property or try another Realtor.  

If your home fails to sell, it will always be because exposure, condition or the right price was missing.

Exposure, Condition and Price: Working Together to Create a Sale
Exposure is the responsibility of the Realtor you hire to represent you. Condition and price are in the seller's total control. All three working together is the only way to guarantee a sale for your home. You may have the very best exposure in the world, but if your home is not priced right and in good showing condition, it will never sell. You may have a home in perfect condition and priced competitively, but if you lack exposure, your home will not sell.

The Realtor you hire should be able to expose your home to every Buyer in the World and counsel you wisely on correct pricing, market changes and how to achieve the best showing condition for the lowest cost to you. Kathy Hyatt suggests that when hiring a Realtor, look for one that has a goal to get your home sold (not listed), in the time period you desire, and at the highest net price to you. Never hire a realtor that tells you they can sell your home for more money than anyone else. The price they suggest may sound sweet to your ears but it will never sell your home.

Beware of discount brokers. The saying, "You get what you pay for" is very true here. The only thing they can discount is the very exposure you need them to provide.