Last week I attended the CRS Sell-a-bration in San Francisco. The Sell-a-bration is a gathering of some of the top agents in the country. We spent 3 days of classes, conference session with top speakers and some fun social mixers. During the conference I picked up several pearls. One that I truly liked was the phrase: "A Pricing War and a Beauty Contest."
When describing the sale process to a potential home seller, this phrase sums it up in the best direct way I can think of.
In most parts of the country we are in a buyer's market. There is a good selection of inventory and prices are either flat or slipping depending on the area and type of property. With that said, what will make you home sell before the others in your neighborhood?
You have to win the beauty contest plain and simple. When the buyers walk in did you grab them? If they liked what they saw did the price scare them off and send them down the street? This is one of the hardest concepts for many sellers. They have lived in this home. Raised their family and have had so many great memories here. Their friends and neighbors have all told them their home is worth so much more than all the others in the neighborhood. Let me clear things up for you. It is not! Friends and family will tell you that to be supportive. Neighbors have a conflict of interest. They are hoping you will raise their property value by selling at a higher price.
To keep it simple, when you are getting your home ready for sale remember you are entering a Pricing War and Beauty Contest.
;)
;)
Great analogy, Randy! It's sad and laughable at the same time. :)