When I got clarity on the week two (October 7, 2025) Zoom Challenge “homework” to write a post about our dream home listing and list the five (5) tactics we would use to get the home sold in a “down market” I had to face the fact that I have never dreamed of listing any particular type of home or dreamed of listing a home at a specific price point.
************************
Dream Home Listing vs Dream Client
My Dream Home Listing is the home I list with my Dream Client. It’s all about the people I am honored to work with in any market.
Living and Listing in Silicon Valley, serving exclusively San Jose and Santa Clara County, with nearly 23 years of full-time selling in the Silicon Valley real estate market, I confess that no matter the market conditions, I’ve never considered any market a “down market”.
Homes are sold in all markets. Is it a "down market" when homes do not sell within an hour of listing on the MLS? Or are we spoiled with massive competition and multiple offers?
Do we potentially need to shift and adjust? If we are paying attention, possibly yes, maybe not. It depends on the market. We all know real estate is “local”. Local markets are also subject to geographic-specific areas within the market.
************************
Proven Methods to Get a Listing SOLD
1. Clear out the "clutter" - Less is More when selling a home
2. Clean the interior from top to bottom - professional cleaning is best.
3. Clean the exterior from top to bottom - power wash. Make the windows shine and the landscape scream ... "Look at me!"
4. Professional photos. The operative word here is "professional". This may not require hiring a professional photographer. Professional, in this context, means taking enough photos to showcase the entire home, interior, and exterior. Toilet seats must be down. The person taking the photo should not be seen in the mirrors. Pets are not allowed to photo bomb.
5. PRICE it RIGHT! Don't be fooled, and do not fool the seller into an artificially inflated list price. Do we need to define "artificially inflated"? It means there is no market data, comparable home sales to support the price. We also need to factor in the market trends specific to the area or community.
BONUS: Get pre-sale home, termite, and chimney inspections!
************************
There is no secret sauce mentioned above. They are tried and true methods or tactics that get homes sold in my market. Might there be a need to adjust as markets shift - Yes.
This is my week two entry for the ActiveRain Tuesday Zoom Challenge hosted by Debe Maxwell and Kathy Streib. Ladies, would it make sense to assign homework to post about our "dream client"?
Comments(15)