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So You Are Selling Your Home!!!!

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker-Malibu West

Lately there has been so much information in the news about the real estate market and how depressed it is.  However, people are still selling their properties and new properties are being listed every day.  So, how do you sell your home in this market?

As a seller you must take into consideration that we have a different type of real estate market than the last couple of years.  This is a buyer's market, which means you need to think of your home more like a commodity and less like a unique item.  While everyone feels their home has special qualities that make it stand out from other properties in their area, a buyer's market doesn't allow for a seller to use these qualities to price their home higher than the home next door.  How do you present your home to help the buyers feel like they're making a wise purchase and getting more for their money?

Remember, first impressions are everything.  Understand that your home will get the most activity in the first two weeks it is on the market and if it is overpriced in the initial weeks, you may lose out on many potential buyers.

Second, if a comparable home sold recently, the sale price of that home was negotiated approximately 60 days earlier and that price is probably not an accurate reflection of the market today.

Third, buyers want to feel that they are getting a good price, not watching their money disappear in front of their eyes.

Lastly, the real estate market follows the economic principles of supply and demand like most other markets.  Currently, we have a higher inventory of homes and a longer "days on market" than in the past.  Until the inventory of homes and "days of market" start to decrease, we will be in a buyer's market.

Moral of the Story for you as a Seller: Homes will continue to be considered a commodity and selling your home is all about setting it at the right price!

To ask me more questions or to get an assessment of the value of your home, email me at: janet@callmalibuhome.com or call me at 310.924.4631

Comments(5)

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Sara Homan
Coldwell Banker Ellison Realty 352-209-4044 - Ocala, FL
Realtor, Homes, Farms & 55+

Janet,  That is a very sweet & simple way of sharing the truth of the current market and what really needs to be considered when getting ready to place your house on the market.  Thanks, I liked it!

Jun 25, 2008 07:11 AM
Roseann Annis
Prudential Homesale Services Group - Camp Hill, PA

Great blog, Janet!  I'm a believer of every point that you so aptly made in this article.  Something new for me is your point about buyers of properties settling today had actually negotiated price, terms and conditions approximately 60 days ago.  What this means, as you continue to say, is that the sales price does not totally reflect today's market.  I'll tuck this nugget away when I need to convince a seller to reconsider the initial list price. Thank you!

Jun 25, 2008 07:20 AM
Janet Siderman
Coldwell Banker-Malibu West - Malibu, CA

Thank you to the two of you for your feedback.  I know that it's hard to convince sellers that their home is "not" so much more special.  Maybe try taking them out of their home when you have this discussion so it's not as emotional or maybe try showing them the list of inventory on the market so they understand the choices buyers have.  janet

Jun 25, 2008 07:41 AM
Mike Frazier
Carousel Realty of Dyer County - Dyersburg, TN
Northwest Tennessee Realtor

Janet,

Great information for both sellers and agents. Pricing correctly will be the only way to sell a home in this market!

Jun 25, 2008 07:51 AM
Jeffrey deJESUS
eXp Realty of California Inc. - Daly City, CA
Realtor®

Thanks for the tips Janet! I agree with all but mostly the first one. First impressions are everything!

Jun 26, 2008 05:43 AM