Harrisonville, MO

Recently, a Zillow user in the Harrisonville MO area asked what steps are needed to get a home ready to sell.

Question:

I need advice from a seller agent about getting my house ready to sell.

Team Gipple Response:

In today's real estate market we have two choices- appeal to buyers who are out for a "deal" (competing with distressed sales, such as short sales and foreclosures) or appeal to buyers who want a reasonably priced move-in ready home that has been well maintained. Buyers looking for a deal will be motivated by nothing other than the price of the house. Buyers that are in the market for a move-in ready home have very high expectations and usually several homes to choose from, so it's critical you partner with your agent to get the home in top condition and focus your marketing efforts on establishing value and demonstrating that you took a great pride of ownership in the home.

Assuming your home will not be a distressed sale, some of items you can focus on that will get the biggest "bang for your buck" will be to:
* Make sure the home is free of wall-paper or taste specific paint colors- neutral is always best.
* Declutter and depersonalize- make sure there aren't family pictures everywhere which makes a buyer feel like they are a guest in your home instead of picturing their own family living there.
* Have your carpets professionally cleaned, and stretched if needed.
* Focus on your "curb appeal"- weeding flower beds, spreading fresh mulch, and setting out some brightly colored flowers in a pot on the porch will not only increase the perceived value of a home but will likely result in more showings.

You don't have to figure it out on your own. There is no cost or obligation to have a Realtor come out to the home to give you an honest evaluation, our real estate team visits several homes per week and provides this service.

A Zillow user, preparing to sell her home, recently inquired about finding the value of their real estate in the Harrisonville, MO area.

Question:

We would like to know what our house is worth in this present market. I'd like to get that online if possible. Please advise.

Team Gipple Response:

You have several options: There are many online real estate sites that can give you an estimate of value. I've found these sites, much like tax assessments, are based on a few data points such as sq footage, number of bedrooms, neighborhood sales data. In the matter of my own home, I found the estimates to be extremely low.

You could hire a local real estate appraiser. They will establish market value of your home based on a very complete comparison of your home vs. similar homes that have sold in the area. This will be an expense of around $400-$500.

Another option would be to have a local Realtor visit your home and give you an estimate. Like an appraiser, they will evaluate sales data from similar homes in the area that have recently sold. A Realtor can not only give you an idea of the market value, but also what you could, in their professional opinion, likely get if you were to sell. This is not always the same number as the market value- as the potential sales price would also factor in how many other homes are for sale in the area, how does your home's features and condition compare to competing homes for sale, what price points has the market not shown to bare (expired listings), etc. This is free and there is no obligation to use the Realtor's services. An evaluation can be done over the phone, but will not be as accurate as an in-home visit.