You've made a decision that you want/need to sell your home.
You start looking at what other homes in your neighborhood are selling for. You research market statistics on homes that have sold. You peruse some websites that allow you to obtain a market analysis of your home. You read the local newspaper, looking for tips on how to sell your home.
You have been gathering information for some time now, and weighing your options - do I use a realtor, or do I try to sell my home on my own? You evaluate all of the pros and cons of each avenue before you decide against selling it on your own and you decide to reach out to a few realtors - those whose sites you used to get a free evaluation from, and one who was recommended to you by a co-worker who recently sold his own home.
After speaking with all of the agents you have settled on one agent, me. I explained my marketing strategy in detail, established how I would communicate with you during the process, and provided my resume of closed transactions over the last several years.
So you ask the usual questions as you prepare to sign the listing agreement:
- At what price should I list my home?
- How long do you think it will take for the home to sell?
- What should I do to make the home more appealing to buyers?
- Will the house actually sell in this market?
My response to those questions? It is up to you, Mr. Seller.
The whole process of selling your home is dependent on your attitude. You established that you wanted and needed to sell your home, so your actions should be consistent with that motivation.
But, you say, I am the Realtor. Your professional. I should know the answers to my questions.
That is true, I am the professional. So, consider this:
· I performed a comparative market analysis of your home and came up with a suggested listing price range of $175,000-$185,000. Did you concur with my professional opinion supported by the market statistics, or did you insist that you needed $195,000 in order to place your home on the market?
· I toured the home prior to our listing appointment and took some pictures. I made several suggestions that would improve the curb appeal of your home, and even provided you a list of vendors who could perform the needed repairs at a minimal cost to you, if you were unable to complete the repairs yourself. Did you follow through with my suggestions, or did you refuse to even trim the hedges and mow the lawn, let alone make any repairs?
· I suggested de-cluttering several rooms and making some minor rearrangements of furniture so that buyers could visualize the amount of space available. Did you take my advice, or ignore it altogether?
· I informed you that the majority of buyers would be uncomfortable touring a home with either one of us present, and that your schedule needed to be flexible in order to accommodate potential buyers who want to see your home. Did you make arrangements to vacate the premises during a showing, or did you insist on being present to meet each buyer, as well as unreasonably limiting the times in which your home could be shown?
If you are serious about selling your home, only you, based on the actions that you take, can determine whether your home sells or not. Your actions during the selling process must be consistent with your need to sell or your want to sell, and especially if you both need and want to sell your home.
In the final analysis, Mr. Seller, whether your home sells or not is entirely up to you
This Blog was adapted from: It is You to You, Mr. Seller written by William James Walton, Century 21, Access America, Waterbury CT
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