Selling Your Home in Today’s Housing Market

John, all good advice----especially in the context of having the home inspected.  The reasons you give could be greatly helped if sellers had the kind of information a home inspector could give them.  (by the way---nice to see you---I thought I was going to have to email you to find out what you were up to :)

Great post.  No, not every area has recovered, and we need to price competitively and keep on our toes.

John:  There should be reasonable expectations of a home, especially when on the market.  It isn't being unreasonable to expect that the home be well cleaned, maintenanced, and worthy of showing.  I know some buyers go overboard with their demands, but what you speak of seems within most seller's grasp. Glad to see you back as a Feature, John ...  good one, as usual ...

Gene

Great tips thanks for posting this, I will link others to it!

I've got a listing right now that has a bad curb appeal and a few defects.  The only way we're getting traction is with lower pricing.

John, excellent post about BASICS - which many of us forget and start thinking it's all about market. Homes do sell in slow market, too, as long as Basic#1 is true.

When it is looked at properly, price leads the parade, but if the place is cluttered, or dirty, it could sit on the market forever and not even be able to be given away.

Homes are selling and will sell.   You're correct and it can't be said enough, take care of the maintenance, have the home present well, and price it right . . .

Spot on tips

Spot on - good entry!

John - I agree that the hyper-local markets, within a regional market, can experience wildly different outcomes... including based on the list price.  A knowledgeable, active participant seller has a leg up on just about any other seller on the market. (At least in my neck of Northern Virginia)

John - Reasonable, involved sellers make a huge difference in getting a house sold.

You've noted tthe more important factors in selling a home, John!  A seller, who can apply attention to those things, will go a long way against any competition in the marketplace.  I hope you are having a GREAT weekend!

Price is what sells.

...seller's should be more educated and involved..."  This is a statement for the ages!

I would add that the home needs to be showcased properly - de-cluttering often isn't enough. There are two parts to getting a home ready for sale and they are the preparation (de-cluttering, painting, smart upgrades, repairs) and then showcasing (furniture editing & arrangement, maximizing focal points, adding home decor accents). This is the best and most effective way to prepare a home for sale so that it models a lifestyle buyers want to have for themselves.