Ever wonder WHY some homes sell faster than others? Beyond the obvious factors of location, size and condition, here are nine strategies that will definitely influence just how quickly a home goes from “ACTIVE to PENDING to SOLD!!
1. Hire the Right Agent
An experienced REALTOR, who knows the local market and who has a network of potential buyers from both online and offline marketing venues, is your BEST BET in getting your home sold quickly. A “well-seasoned” agent will also guide you through the maze of prepping your home for the market, which is outlined in the steps below.
2. Curb Appeal Counts
According to a Zillow study, REALTORS selected “curb appeal” to be THE #1 FACTOR affecting the amount of time a home is on the market. That makes a lot of sense as it is widely known that IF a buyer does not like the “outside package” from either photographs or from their car window, they won’t even set foot in the home.
3. If it’s Broken – Fix it!
We ALL have them … Those pesky and bothersome little repairs that always seem to be put on the back-burner … A leaky faucet, a misaligned closet door, missing caulking in the shower, you know what I mean … Fixing these minor issues, before the home hits the market, will go a long way in getting your home SOLD!
4. Move-In Condition
The Wall Street Journal reports that when a home’s condition allows it to be marketed as “move-in ready condition”, it will typically sell 12% faster than the competition.
5. Two Words – Home Staging
According to The Real Estate Staging Association, staged homes spend 73% less time on the market than non-staged homes. It is also reported that staged homes will typically sell for more money than non-staged homes.
6. Quality Photos and Virtual Tours
According to a Redfin study for homes in the $200,000 and higher price range, those that were marketed with professional photographs sold faster and for $3,400 to $11,200 more than homes presented with amateur photos. Additionally, adding a virtual tour is reported to decrease time on the market by 20% and increase sale price by 2%, based on a study by Paul Carrillo of George Washington University.
7. Proper Pricing
Zillow reports that homes priced around or slightly below market value are almost 50% percent more likely to sell within 60 days than those priced 12% or more above market value. Homes that linger on the market become “stale” and the cobwebs of inactivity can cause potential buyers to simply overlook the home.
8. Easy Accessibility
Easy access for REALTORS and their customers is paramount to the success of a home being seen by the buying public. If a lockbox is not utilized and sellers require they be home to allow access, it is important to understand the adverse effect this can have on showing activity, thereby influencing the number of days a home will remain on the market.
9. Be Flexible!
OK, Great … You’ve received an offer! Sometimes the success of getting your home to the closing table has less to do with the physical property and more to do with how negotiations play out … Keep in mind the common goal, and remember that a little give-and-take goes a long way. A successful outcome should feel like a win-win situation for both parties in the transaction …
We hope you found this post to be helpful, informative and interesting … Watch for our next BLOG POST on April 6th.
To learn more about Tampa Bay area homes for sale in Spring Hill and Brooksville, located in Hernando County, Florida, visit us @ www.GailSellsFloridaHomes.com … Be sure to check out our custom, state-of-the-art, MLS Map Search Feature, which you’ll find to be fully functional on any and all of your devices!
Until then… it’s all about YOU!