Seller Tips

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – June 3, 2015

3 TIPS FOR A SUCCESSFUL OPEN HOUSE

A successful open house can help you sell your property faster and for more money, but inviting a bunch of strangers into your home can also be nerve-wracking. Here are three simple steps to make the open house process easier and more rewarding:

* Make the house more “personality neutral.” Pack away personal items like family photos and personal mementos so buyers see your home as their own. Removing personal items also helps you retain more of your privacy, even when others are in your space.

* Stash your valuables. Even though buyers are by and large a trustworthy group, for your own peace of mind and unless you have interior security cameras, it’s a good idea to lock away anything that’s valuable. Don’t forget to remove personal items from medicine cabinets, closets and under the sink, all places where buyers may look.

* Get out of the house. Don’t be tempted to remain at home during the open house – it can make buyers nervous. Instead, turn the open house over to your agent, who has experience in handling open houses and all they entail.

Consider your open house a selling tool, and leave the details to your agent.

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – May 27, 2105

PRICING STRATEGIES

Pricing a home for quick sale while still maximizing your potential profits is, without doubt, the most difficult yet critical aspect of selling a home. It’s tempting to think all you need to do is look at what other homes in your neighborhood are selling for, and then price your home accordingly. But every home is different, and even when your home and another seem similar to you, it’s what the buyers think that really matters.

Buying a home is an emotional decision, and some homes may “speak” that emotional connection better, especially to a specific groups of buyers. And even when your home and another are truly similar, that other home may be overpriced to begin with, so  using that figure as a guideline for your home’s price is doomed to fail from the start.

Pricing a home is where your agent really shines. Working with home sales day in and day out, your agent is keenly aware of each and every factor that goes in to pricing a home right. Instead of starting your sale with a price in mind, ask your agent for input to ensure your home sells quickly and at the best price possible.

 

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – May 13, 2015

PRE-MEMORIAL DAY PRICE REDUCTIONS CAN YIELD BIG RESULTS

Memorial Day is just around the corner, and if you have a home on the market that hasn’t sold, now is the time to think about adjusting the price. Research shows that by the time Memorial Day rolls around, there’s a much higher likelihood that potential buyers will become discouraged by overpriced inventory and turn instead to rentals, especially if they have summer vacation plans on the horizon or they want to make sure their family is settled in before school resumes in the fall.

Pricing a home for quick sale without losing out on potential profits can be a difficult balance to achieve, especially if you don’t have in-depth knowledge of current inventory or the habits and preferences of your target buyers. Buyer behavior shifts in other ways as the seasons change, and unless you understand and can anticipate shifts, you can wind up missing out on a sale and increasing your own holding costs.

If your home hasn’t been attracting the buyer interest you were hoping for, now is the time to consider lowering the price. Talk to an experienced agent who can help you design a sales strategy aimed at helping you make it to the closing table faster.

Princeton Town Topics – Let’s Talk Real Estate – April 8, 2015

REVIVE THAT OLD LISTING FOR MORE BUYER APPEAL

Spring is here, and that means it’s the season when home buyers turn out in droves. It also means if you have a property that’s been on the market for awhile, now is the ideal time to revive your listing to attract more attention. Here’s how to do it:

– Revisit your asking price. If your home has been on the market without drawing any nibbles, there’s a pretty good chance your price is just too high. Your agent can determine the best price based on the most recent sales data for your neighborhood so you don’t undervalue your property either.

– Take some new photos. Consider hiring a professional photographer to take some really good shots – your agent can recommend someone who specializes in property photography. Clean up first so your property looks its best.

– Invest in professional staging. Home stagers make it their business to know just what buyers are looking for when it comes to the “homey” touches. A stager can make sure your home appeals to more people.

– Make some upgrades. A few colorful planters and a fresh paint job on your front door or porch railing help buyers view your home as one that’s been well-cared for.