Top 5 Things To Expect When You List Your Home In A Sellers Market
With inventory at historic lows, we polled our Realtor LOCAL PROs about what to expect when you list your home for sale. Here's what they had to say...
1. Flood of Showings
Be prepared to show your house often. Unfortunately, that means you have to keep your house show room clean at all times. You never know who is going to write an offer and it's best to be prepared.
2. An Open House
In today's market, open houses are a perfect way to control showings and receive offers in an organized and timely manner. It's also a great time for you to look at open houses for yourself!
3. People Poking Through Your House
Buyers are going to look at every room of your house and look hard. So hide your valuables and prescriptions out of plain site. It's also a good idea to have a plan for your pets. You want people to have access to look around and encourage them to write an offer.
4. Feedback - Both Good and Bad
Leave emotion out of this! You are trying to sell your house. While we love good feedback, bad feedback is useful and should be considered constructive criticism.
5. Nosey Neighbors
Believe it or not, your neighbors are invested in the sale of your house too. They want to compare what you have with their own homes and how your list price may impact the implied value of the neighborhood. Don't discourage them - they could be a potential lead to a buyer.
We also heard the following advice:
- Be prepared to move!
- Offers will be presented by your listing agent, but on some occasions, the buyer's agent will present their offer in person. This happens more often with multiple offer situations.
- A pre-listing inspection by your realtor may help uncover any issues that buyers could frown upon. It's good to know what you are up against and make any updates or repairs before you list. If you decide to use a home equity loan to make upgrades, know that it's easier to get a loan before your house is listed.
- Declutter and depersonalize your house. Everything should have it's place and less is more. Also, don't be insulted if your agent asks for a change in decor. Not everyone is going to appreciate your personal style and it's your agent's job to help you present your house in it's best light to the majority of potential buyers.
If you are thinking about listing your home, contact a LOCAL PRO! They know their area because it's where they live and work. |