Brenda R. Roguska
Licensed
Real Estate Broker
LIVE HELP
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1 - Plan and Prepare |
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Some 5 million
existing homes are sold each year, and while each transaction is different every
owner wants the same thing - the best possible deal with the least amount of
hassle and aggravation.
Unfortunately,
home selling has become a more complex business than it used to be. New seller
disclosure statements, longer and more mysterious form agreements, and a range
of environmental concerns have all emerged in the past decade.
More
importantly, the home-selling process has changed. Buyer brokerage - where
REALTORS® represent homebuyers - is now common nationwide, and good
buyer-brokers want the best for their clients.
The result is
that while almost 100,000 existing homes are sold each week, the process is not
as easy for sellers as it was five or 10 years ago. Surviving in today's real
estate world requires experience and training in such fields as real estate
marketing, financing, negotiation and closing - the very expertise available
from Sanibel One Realty. |
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Are
you ready? |
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The
home-selling process typically starts several months before a property is made
available for sale. It's necessary to look at a home through the eyes of a
prospective buyer and determine what needs to be cleaned, painted, repaired and
tossed out.
Ask yourself:
If you were buying this home what would you want to see? The goal is to show a
home which looks good, maximizes space and attracts as many buyers - and as much
demand - as possible.
While part of
the "getting ready" phase relates to repairs, painting and other home
improvements, this is also a good time to ask why you really want to sell.
Selling a home
is an important matter and there should be a good reason to sell - perhaps a job
change to a new community or the need for more space. Your reason for selling
can impact the negotiating process so it's important to discuss your needs and
wants in private with the REALTOR® who lists your home.
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When should you sell? |
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The marketplace
tends to be more active in the summer because parents want to enroll children in
classes at the beginning of the school year (usually August). The summer is also
typically when most homes are likely to be available.
Generally
speaking, markets tend to have some balance between buyers and sellers
year-round. In a given community, for example, there may be fewer buyers in late
December, but there are also likely to be fewer homes available for purchase.
So, home prices tend to rise or fall because of general demand patterns rather
than the time of the year.
Owners are
encouraged to sell when the property is ready for sale, there is a need or
desire to sell, and the services of a local REALTOR® have been retained.
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How do you improve you
home's value? |
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The general
rule in real estate is that buyers seek the least expensive home in the best
neighborhood they can afford. In terms of improvements, this means you want a
home that fits in the neighborhood but is not over-improved. For example, if
most homes in your neighborhood have three bedrooms, two baths and 2,500 sq. ft.
of finished space, a property with five bedrooms, more baths and far more space
would likely be priced much higher and likely be more difficult to sell.
Improvements
should be made so that the property shows well, is consistent with the
neighborhood and does not involve capital investments, the cost of which cannot
be recovered from the sale. Furthermore, improvements should reflect community
preferences.
Cosmetic
improvements - paint, wallpaper and landscaping - help a home "show" better and
often are good investments. Mechanical repairs - to ensure that all systems and
appliances are in good working condition - are required to get a top price.
Ideally, you
want to be sure that your property is competitive with other homes available in
the community. REALTORS®, who see numerous homes, can provide suggestions that
are consistent with your marketplace. |
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