What Sellers Can Do To Attract Buyers This Spring
The local real estate market is buzzing with activity. Spring is in the air. Right now is one of the busiest times for home sales. This year the tax credits for first-time home buyers ($8,000) and repeat buyers ($6,500) have brought out buyers intending to sign purchase contracts by April 30, 2010. Also, affordably low interest rates have increased buying power. That's why well-positioned properties are moving quickly.
If you've been waiting to put your home on the market, or are thinking about selling, now is the time. In this market, to bring serious buyers into your home, you need to be prepared. Here are some key points to remember if you want to take advantage of today's housing market.
Buyers Know Price
There is no beating around the bush. Buyers are savvy and know the price points in our local market. If your home is in the buyer's price range -- and priced correctly for its location, amenities and condition -- your home will attract attention. If it's not priced right, buyers will notice immediately and move on. Additionally, not pricing correctly could help sell your home's competition faster. Rely on us, your real estate professionals, to help you arrive at the optimum price that will get your home sold quickly for the best price.
Move-In Condition
Stage your home to look magazine-perfect and your home will draw buyers in. Take the time to declutter, organize and tastefully set up each room. Comparison shoppers will reward you with interest and offers. Your hard work also will be on display in online photos that entice buyers to drop their mouse and take an in-person look at your home. A well-maintained home will showcase itself in online property sites and will help us get it sold.
Flexibility
First-time buyers often have few constraints on their offer, because they don't have a home to sell. Be flexible to allow any serious buyer to settle/close on your home earlier or later than you anticipated, if the right offer comes up. Your flexibility could mean the difference between a sale and no sale. We will help you negotiate the best terms to keep your buyer interested.
Extra Incentive
You've got the right price, your home is in great condition and staged to sell. You've got the flexibility to accept pretty much any move-in date. Now what? If there is a buyer who has visited two times, but hasn't made an offer, one innovative strategy is to consider approaching the buyer with a reverse offer -- an offer to buy your property that originates from you, the seller. The technique can get negotiations and counteroffers started in the right situation. In this case, you may want to throw in a sweetener such as the swing set in the backyard or the patio furniture.
Maybe you have another item of value that you don't want to move that could help sway the buyer to purchase your home. If you don't want to give an item, perhaps you can offer a specific amount to be credited at closing without lowering the selling price. Consult with us for the best strategy to win over a buyer for your home.
Timing Is Everything
The time is right for selling your home, and buyers are out there shopping. Interest rates are near historical lows and tax incentives like we've never seen are available to first-time and move-up buyers. (As a seller you can benefit too if you sign a contract to buy your next home before April 30, 2010 and close by June 30.) If you are interested in a personal consultation to see what your home is worth, please give us a call. We'd love to meet with you and discuss your home.
The local real estate market is buzzing with activity. Spring is in the air. Right now is one of the busiest times for home sales. This year the tax credits for first-time home buyers ($8,000) and repeat buyers ($6,500) have brought out buyers intending to sign purchase contracts by April 30, 2010. Also, affordably low interest rates have increased buying power. That's why well-positioned properties are moving quickly.
If you've been waiting to put your home on the market, or are thinking about selling, now is the time. In this market, to bring serious buyers into your home, you need to be prepared. Here are some key points to remember if you want to take advantage of today's housing market.
Buyers Know Price
There is no beating around the bush. Buyers are savvy and know the price points in our local market. If your home is in the buyer's price range -- and priced correctly for its location, amenities and condition -- your home will attract attention. If it's not priced right, buyers will notice immediately and move on. Additionally, not pricing correctly could help sell your home's competition faster. Rely on us, your real estate professionals, to help you arrive at the optimum price that will get your home sold quickly for the best price.
Move-In Condition
Stage your home to look magazine-perfect and your home will draw buyers in. Take the time to declutter, organize and tastefully set up each room. Comparison shoppers will reward you with interest and offers. Your hard work also will be on display in online photos that entice buyers to drop their mouse and take an in-person look at your home. A well-maintained home will showcase itself in online property sites and will help us get it sold.
Flexibility
First-time buyers often have few constraints on their offer, because they don't have a home to sell. Be flexible to allow any serious buyer to settle/close on your home earlier or later than you anticipated, if the right offer comes up. Your flexibility could mean the difference between a sale and no sale. We will help you negotiate the best terms to keep your buyer interested.
Extra Incentive
You've got the right price, your home is in great condition and staged to sell. You've got the flexibility to accept pretty much any move-in date. Now what? If there is a buyer who has visited two times, but hasn't made an offer, one innovative strategy is to consider approaching the buyer with a reverse offer -- an offer to buy your property that originates from you, the seller. The technique can get negotiations and counteroffers started in the right situation. In this case, you may want to throw in a sweetener such as the swing set in the backyard or the patio furniture.
Maybe you have another item of value that you don't want to move that could help sway the buyer to purchase your home. If you don't want to give an item, perhaps you can offer a specific amount to be credited at closing without lowering the selling price. Consult with us for the best strategy to win over a buyer for your home.
Timing Is Everything
The time is right for selling your home, and buyers are out there shopping. Interest rates are near historical lows and tax incentives like we've never seen are available to first-time and move-up buyers. (As a seller you can benefit too if you sign a contract to buy your next home before April 30, 2010 and close by June 30.) If you are interested in a personal consultation to see what your home is worth, please give us a call. We'd love to meet with you and discuss your home.