San Diego Home Info by Gretchen Pagnotta

5 Steps to Get Top Dollar for Your Home 1

Setting a Realistic Price

A View Adds Value

Many people believe real estate agents perform basically the same functions in listing a home.  I am here to tell you that is today’s market an average agent who relies on MLS exposure and nothing else is not going to position a home to get it sold for top dollar. In many cases the home may not even sell.  The number of “expired” listings is a source in itself for agents to market to secure listings the “second or third time around.”

There are critical steps in preparing a home for sale. A comprehensive market analysis is essential is setting a reasonable price for the home.  There are no “magic” homes that sell themselves. Today buyers are informed having full access to the internet.  No one wants to overpay for a property.  The past 10years of stock market corrections and the housing market decline has made people very aware of value. Therefore when pricing a home all closed sales and the condition of these homes must be carefully evaluated.  The thorn in everyone’s side is the impact of short sales and bank owned properties. During the last few appraisals we have had on our sales we make sure the appraiser is made aware of the condition of these homes as compared to the properties we are selling.  These sales do “count” but they have to be weighted against another property.

Buyers today have “Deal Fever.”  It goes like this; “I want a deal..not just any deal but the best deal…”  Of course when they are shown” the deal” such as a distressed bank owned home that has been stripped of appliances, is sited on a lot that backs a busy road, has upgrades that were selected by someone with absolutely no taste or style (i.e. blue flowered bath tile), and a yard that was a weekend project they “pass.”   No. they want the nice home with a good location, $200,000 worth of tasteful upgrades, move in ready condition but here’s the catch…they want it for the bank owned property price.  Well folks..it just isn’t going to happen! That is why after making low ball offers on nice homes that buyer will find it necessary to change direction and realize distressed means  just that..it is priced lower because it will need money (as in cash) to bring it up to the condition of a home that has been well cared for.

So pricing a home is the critical first step and needs to be done with all factors of the market, neighborhood and home considered; upgrades, site, number of like properties on the market, floor-plan, and all past closed sales with knowledge of their condition.  It is really the same steps an appraiser uses.  In fact many times it is advisable to obtain an appraisal prior to marleting the home.  The cost of a certified appraisal done by a qualified appraiser ranges from @$300-600.00.

Come back to this blog to find out the next 4 steps in Getting Top Dollar for Your Home! I am currently on a cruise but will continue later in the day!

If you are thinking of listing your home in the New Year, the 2-3rd week of January is an ideal time! people think summer is the best time to sell but we see the early spring market as having an advantage! We are happy to give you a comprehensive marketing plan! Click here to set an appointment (no obligation).

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This entry was posted on Saturday, December 18th, 2010 at 2:05 pm and is filed under Buyer Info, First Time Buyers, Seller Info. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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