So you’re asking yourself, should I sell or should I stay? Maybe you don’t have much of a choice because of a job relocation or a new addition to the family. But if you’re not sure, it’s probably a good idea to meet with me to help clarify your options so you can make the right choice. I advise my clients individual to their circumstances and help them how best their needs can be served by selling or staying in their home. I also offer guidance in deciding the best time to put your home on the market, and clearly explain the process so you can plan appropriately.
Selling Your Home
When selling your home, there are no guarantees that a buyer will simply walk through the front door and pay you your price. In fact, that is almost never the case, especially in today’s market. There are steps that you need to take with the help of an experienced Realtor so that your property receives maximum exposure to attract a motivated buyer. The appearance of your home, a buyer’s first impression, and other considerations can also affect the sale of your home. It is important to consider the other home prices in your neighborhood and the value of your property are also factors used for pricing your home. In many cases, you may have to bring your home to the buyer. Effective pinpoint marketing targeted to the right buyers will help ensure that your home is sold in a timely manner at the best possible price.
Why Sell?
Why do you want to sell your home? Do you intend to find a larger residence, a new development overlooking the ocean, or do you plan on moving to another neighborhood that offers a lifestyle more suited for you? You might think your reasons to sell are obvious, but it would be worth giving consideration to the implications of each option for your lifestyle, opportunities, and finances. Having clarity around your motivation for selling will help me determine the most appropriate option for your unique financial, lifestyle, and personal goals.
When Should I Sell?
Once we start working together I will immediately establish your time frame for selling. Keep in mind that if you need to sell quickly, the strategy will likely be different. I can speed up the process by giving you a comprehensive market analysis and action plan to attain your short term goals. If there is no pressing need to sell, we can thoroughly review the current market conditions and trends and collaborate on the most favorable time to sell your property.
What Is Happening In The Market Now?
Today’s real estate market is constantly changing and I will keep you abreast of how these changes may affect the value of your property. When you work with me, you can be assured that you will have years of knowledge, expertise and negotiating skills at work for you to achieve the highest and best price in the current marketplace. I will keep you up-to-date on what is happening in the marketplace and the price, how competing properties are faring, and how to enhance your property’s interest level to prospective buyers. When you work with me, you will always know exactly what is happening in the market and where your property stands.
How Do I Optimize My Finances?
Deciding to sell your property requires serious consideration and a thorough understanding of your current financial situation. With the help of me, you will be able to effectively assess the cumulative impact of these changes, estimate potential proceeds of selling your property, and plan effective tax savings and estate planning strategies. I will help educate you to not only take control of your finances, but use them for strategic financial planning.
What Is My Property Worth?
This question may have different answers depending on who you talk to. Your property’s worth may have more value to you because of your sentimental love for the home and the many memories you’ve enjoyed while living there. To prospective buyers the question of worth and value is almost always viewed differently. Thirdly, the buyer’s lender and their independent appraiser will look at the property’s value under a different lens more commonly referred to as fair market value? In today’s market, formal appraisals for lenders of money tend to be a conservative perspective. In the end, your property is worth what a motivated and qualified buyer is willing to pay in an open and competitive marketplace.
Pricing your home properly is essential in today’s market. I will prepare an in-depth report called a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) for you. This thorough analysis consists of fact-based data comparing your property to similar properties in the marketplace. The first thing I will need to do to provide you with a CMA is to physically inspect your property. Generally, this inspection won’t be overly detailed, nor does the house need to be totally cleaned up and sale-ready. It should be in such a condition that I will be able to make an accurate assessment of its features and attributes. If you plan to make changes before selling, inform me at this time. The next step is me to obtain data on comparable properties. This data is usually available through the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), but an experienced real estate advisor knows that many sales occur outside of this database. I will give you my professional opinion of your home’s fair market value based on the comparative properties and overall market conditions and trends. I will suggest a realistic and competitive listing price that will entice buyers in today’s market so your property sells quickly. Remember that properties that are initially overpriced can sit on the market for a long time and become stagnant. Please note that a CMA is not a certified appraisal. There is a difference. A certified appraisal must be performed by a licensed Massachusetts certified general appraiser. If you would like a certified appraisal, I will assist you in obtaining one.
The benefits of pricing your home attractively means more buyers will view it in the crucial first few days of the marketing and advertising process. This is when the largest pool of qualified buyers will see your listing on the internet and in many featured real estate advertisements. If your home is priced appropriately, buyers will react quickly by scheduling a showing, potentially leading to an offer. In fact, pricing your home attractively can ultimately lead to multiple offers from several different buyers, which can lead to a full-price offer or even an offer over the full asking price. If your home is perceived by buyers and their brokers as over-priced, your home may linger on the market and languish. Remember that the wrong price attracts the wrong buyers, and an over-priced listing will never be seen by the right buyers.
