VERMACE Realty
400 1st Avenue, Suite #14, Coralville
Email: Vermace@Vermacerealty.com

319-339-7721

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 Tips For Selling Your Home Fast


It's no secret that the days of houses selling like Beanie Babies are over. After real estate appreciating at jaw-dropping rates during the first half of the decade, home prices and sales tallies have dropped in recent months -- tilting dynamics to favor buyers over sellers. That doesn't mean your house won't sell, just that the playing field has changed. So here are tips to help you get a timely sale.

MAKE THOSE REPAIRS
While in years past it may have been enough just to cut the grass and retouch the paint, anyone looking to sell in today's market will have to take care of those more onerous repair projects as well. The buyer that might have bought a fixer-upper a couple of years ago now has an opportunity to purchase a short sale or a foreclosure. So if you have a property that needs a lot of work, you are competing against bank-owned properties that are compelling rather than interesting. Replace cracked floor tiles, patch holes in walls, fix leaky faucets, fix doors and windows that don't close properly, replace burned-out light bulbs, and consider painting your walls neutral colors (especially if you have grown accustomed to purple or pink walls).
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Don't break the bank preparing your home for sale. Pricey items such as a new roof may be big hits with buyers, but rarely does the buying price end up covering the payout for such costly home improvements. When possible, stick with the simpler (and less expensive) options rather than major remodeling.
  
SET A COMPETITIVE PRICE
Unfortunate though it may be for sellers, demand for real estate has softened. That means, in many cases, sellers will have to bring down their asking price below what the house might have fetched just a couple of years back. Sellers need to be prepared to sell at fair market value. Fair market value is determined by comparable (comps) homes recently sold in addition to comparable homes currently on the market. This information is included in the written market analysis package provided by us as a part of your Home Market Evaluation.
  
By setting an asking price above market value, homeowners risk driving potential buyers away. Sellers think that if they try asking an above-market price, buyers will come along and make a lower offer. That is not really happening in this market. If people perceive a property is being overpriced, they will just move on to the next. Lowering the price may be difficult, but if you want to sell your home in today's market, grit your teeth and do it. There is a buyer for every property if the pricing is right.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT AGENT
The vast majority of all homes are sold by real estate agents - but not all agents are the same. The agent's experience, knowledge, and marketing plan will have an enormous impact on your success. Choose the agent and not necessarily the company they work for. Just because an agent works for a large company does not mean that agent is experienced, knowledgeable and will spend the time and money necessary to properly market your home. With over 80% of all buyers beginning their home search on the Internet, you will want to make sure that your Realtor has a strong Internet presence with strong content and can be easily found in search engines. Choosing the right agent will make all the difference in the world.

BE FLEXIBLE
Accessibility is a major key to a profitable sale. Ensuring that your house is ready to show at all times will make it easier for prospective buyers to see it. A lock-box allows buyers to see your home when accompanied by an agent at a minute's notice. So make your bed each morning and clean up the dishes before heading off to work, just in case someone may want to come by at the last minute. Things like limiting the hours of showing or requiring an appointment because you have a pet are reasons for real estate agents to bypass your house when they to to show. The more accessible your home, the more showings, and the better the odds are of finding a person willing to pay top dollar. In today's competitive market, buyers who can't get a viewing will go on to other homes, and purchase elsewhere.

BITE YOUR TONGUE:
If a potential buyer comes in with an offer you consider too low resist the urge to turn up your nose. After all, it takes a considerable amount of paperwork to make a formal offer, so even a low bid signals interest. You need to respond--even though you are indignant and insulted. Do a serious counteroffer, You have nothing to lose by countering, everything to lose by rejecting it out of hand.