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Whittier Home Owners: Do You Know How Many Homes Did NOT Sell in 2010?

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties DRE# 01788371

Do you really want your home to sell?Time and Money

Nearly 20% of all homes for sale in Whittier in 2010 expired.  In other words, they were put on the market for sale, but they did not sell.

In 2010, 1,294 of the properties that were put on the market for sale actually did sell.  However, there were also 318 homes on the market that did not sell.

What that means is that it is extremely important that your house is priced to sell and it is in the best condition possible.

Do you want your house to sell, or do you want it to be one of the houses on the market that doesn't sell?

Many home sellers simply start by listing their property for sale at a price that is too high.

Are you chasing the market?  What often happens when the real estate market is in a downward trend is that people start by pricing their property with the expectation of selling it at last year's prices.  Then, when it doesn't attract buyers at their listing price, they are forced to lower the price.  But, they just lower it a little bit.  They might say, "My house is worth more than the rest of the houses in the neighborhood -- look at all the upgrades it has!"  After a few weeks, the seller decides to lower the price again.  In the meantime, the market has continued moving downward, and the new lowered price is not low enough to match the rapid decline in prices in the neighborhood.  Your tiny price reductions are simply chasing the downward spiral.

So, a few more weeks pass after you lowered your asking price $10,000.  But you didn't lower it to match the latest sale in the area because your house is "the best in the neighborhood".  Congratulations!  You are the highest bidder on your own house!

In a downward market, the single factor that attracts buyers to look at the house is the price.  The house must be priced correctly in order to get buyers in the door.

Once buyers get in the door so they can see the house, the condition of the property becomes most important.  Home buyers in Whittier in 2010 did not buy houses that needed a lot of work.  They wanted turnkey homes.

Simply put, if your carpet is worn and ugly, replace it. If the walls need painting, then paint them.  If anything needs to be fixed that would detract from creating a great first impression on a potential buyer, then get it fixed.

Another Whittier Home Sold by Bob Willis in 2010So, if you really want to sell your Whittier home, start out by making sure it is in tip-tip condition, then set a price that will attract people who will want to buy it.  Getting your property into alignment to sell is more essential than ever if you want to sell your house in this new market.

Are you ready to get serious about selling your house?  If so, then call a REALTOR® who will market your house to get it sold.  Call Bob Willis at (888) 695-7510, or send an E-mail message to bob@willis.realtor.

 

-- Blog End --

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About the author: The above article was provided by Bob Willis, a locally recognized Realtor®.

If you like my blog, make sure you subscribe to my RSS feed to get the latest Southern California real estate news.

 

I help home owners in the following towns in Orange County and Los Angeles County

Pocono Luxury Homes The Jeff Rickert Team
RE/MAX Property Specialists - Pocono Lake, PA
Poconos Luxury Homes

Good question.

Thanks for the post.

Good luck in your area.

Jan 12, 2011 08:25 AM
Bob Willis
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Orange, CA
Orange County & L.A. County Real Estate Agent

Jeff & Heather, Thanks for stopping by.

Jan 12, 2011 08:30 AM
Bryan Robertson
Los Altos, CA

It drives me crazy when a client won't price right and we're forced to chase the market to get it sold.  I was under the impression the LA area was doing well.  Is your area strong?  Has it turned the corner on prices?

Jan 12, 2011 08:40 AM
Bob Willis
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Orange, CA
Orange County & L.A. County Real Estate Agent

Bryan, As long as houses are priced correctly, and they are in good condition, they will sell.  If not, they will sit on the market.

Jan 12, 2011 09:01 AM
Debra Davis
Keller Williams Realty Atlanta Partners - Snellville, GA
Realtor - Atlanta, Decatur, Snellville, Loganville

Good post and you are so right. If homes are priced right and in good condition, they will sell. They have to be both.

Jan 12, 2011 01:19 PM
Bob Willis
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices California Properties - Orange, CA
Orange County & L.A. County Real Estate Agent

Debra, Yes, being both priced right and in good condition makes a house very attractive to buyers.

Jan 12, 2011 01:25 PM