3 Things You Must Do Correctly To Sell Your Rhinebeck Home in Today's Market

According to Mid Hudson MLS there are 74 homes currently for sale in Rhinebeck, NY. In 2007, 37 homes sold in Rhinebeck. A quick calculation tells us there is currently 2 years worth of inventory on the market. Mid Hudson MLS statistics also state that the median house price of homes sold in 2007 in Rhinebeck was 11.2% less than the median home that sold in 2006.

What does this mean for sellers? It means you have a lot of competition, buyers are expecting lower prices and your house for sale in Rhinebeck needs to stand out from the rest.

There are three things a seller must do to sell their home in todays market:

1. Price it correctly
2. Present it at its very best
3. Give easy access

Pricing your home correctly involves several things. First, you need to have a good competitive market analysis(CMA)done. Your listing agent should provide you with a CMA that shows you what homes similar to yours have sold for in the past 9-12 months. In my opinion, a CMA should also include a list of the homes currently for sale that would be considered your competition. There is a big difference between what you think your home is worth, what you "need to get" to satisfy your financial obligations and what price you need to list at to get your home sold. As a seller, you need to be realistic about what the market will pay for your home. If you need to get a lot more than what the current market dictates your house will probably linger on the market for a very long time.

Presenting your home at its very best is more important than ever. As previously stated you have a lot of competition. Buyers do not have to accept homes that need routine repairs, are outdated or dirty. They can walk right out your door and move on to all those other homes that are currently for sale. If those other homes are cleaner, brighter, more welcoming and in better overall condition you have just lost the contest. In a nutshell, a seller needs to declutter, clean until everything sparkles and make those repairs you have been putting off. If you didn't have the time, money or inclination to fix that leaky faucet or strip that old wallpaper chances are the buyer doesn't either. Simple renovations that can be done inexpensively can make a huge impact with sellers. A Homegain survey done in 2003 states that a simple bathroom upgrade of between $1,500 and $2,000 will give you a return of 138% and go a long way to improving the appeal of your home. Home staging can really help give your home a step above the competition. Here are some before and after photos of a home staging project. Which rooms would you respond to better?

Easy access is extremely important. If a buyer can't get into your home how can they fall in love with it and decide to buy it. Rules like "no showings on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday" or "48 hours notice required" or "listing agent must accompany all showings" or "owner must be home to give access" make it difficult for potential buyers to see your home. There is a good chance your home will be skipped over if the buyer can't see it when it is convenient for them. It may sound silly to say but if you want to sell your home you have to let the buyers in!

There is a very interesting article in this months issue of Hudson Valley Magazine about the real estate market in the Hudson Valley. I think you will find it interesting.

To see our listings of homes for sale in Rhinebeck, NY follow this link and click on Featured Listings. To do a complete search of homes for sale in the Hudson Valley follow this link and click on MLS Search or click on the buttons below.

"My dream is to find the home of your dreams." Give me a call at (845)224-5238 and let's start the search together!

**For all of your real estate needs in the greater Rhinebeck - Red Hook, Clinton, Tivoli, Pine Plains and Hyde Park NY areas contact:

Diana Corcoran, Associate Broker, Accredited Buyer Representative

dcorcoran@hvc.rr.com

http://www.realestaterhinebeckny.com

**Statistics based on data from Mid Hudson MLS.

The information herein has not been verified by the Mid-Hudson Multiple Listing Service, Inc. or by any individual(s) who may be affiliated with said entity, all of whom hereby collectively and severally disclaim any and all responsibility for the accuracy of the information appearing at this website, at any time or from time to time. All information should be independently verified by the recipient of such data. This data is not warranted for any purpose. The use of these search facilities other than by a consumer seeking to purchase or lease real estate, is prohibited.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is supplied by Diana Corcoran and is subject to change without notice. The "Rhinebeck/Red Hook Real Estate Blog by Diana" does not guarantee or is any way responsible for its accuracy, and provides said information without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. Entries on this blog represent the opinions and ideas of the author.