Our real estate market will still be a challenge for sellers this year. Hawaii has a large inventory of bank-owned and distressed properties, which will pressure valuations for sellers who just want to sell, rather than have to sell. Oahu is so diverse, that many areas are not affected as much as others, such as Ewa Beach, so local advice and a market analysis by a Realtor experienced in your Oahu community is invaluable.
If you hope to sell this year, you'll need to position your property to be competitive and position yourself to be flexible and negotiable. Besides the normal recommendations of cleaning, decluttering, and staging your home, here are a couple of ideas from Taniya Nayak of "Designed to Sell" as reported by RISMedia.com.
"Q: What do people need to do to sell a home in this market?
A: For starters, you need to figure out what you're overlooking, what I call forgotten fixer-uppers-things you don't notice anymore. Use a digital camera to take photos, upload them on your computer and look at fresh images. You might be pleasantly surprised. You might be horrified. New hardware on cabinets and new faucet fixtures can make a big difference. They're short budget items but have a big impact. And I could talk for hours about paint. There are a million paint colors out there for homeowners to choose from.
"Q: Do you buy the idea that everything has to be painted neutral to sell?
A: Neutrals are good, but neutral doesn't always mean beige. I try to show people how to accessorize in a way that adds life to your space.
"Q: What's your favorite spot in your home?
A: I love every single spot, but my favorite is the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the river. It's so serene and peaceful. I kept the colors muted to highlight the colors outside, the changing seasons."
Take an unbiased tour of your home and try to see it through a buyer's eyes. As Ms. Nayak said, use a camera which will pick out details you miss. Then invite a Realtor to your home, and discuss marketing ideas. The peak selling season will soon be here, so call or email me today to talk about what you can do to sell your Honolulu home this year.
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