Recent real estate trends have caught homeowners in a difficult position. It's no longer possible to simply put your home on the market and have it sell within a few weeks. Now, homeowners must be extremely diligent in making their home as attractive as possible. There's a new battle of the Jones's, but this time it's how to make your home sell quickly, especially when compared to your neighbors.
The secret to selling a home quickly is preparation. When owners make the effort to get their home in top sales condition, it will sell quickly. Many of them put the home on the market, only to have it sit for several months unsold. Eventually, the owners are forced to make unplanned improvements and even lower the purchase price. If they have a contingent offer on a home, there's even more pressure to accept any offer, or pour more money into making the home sellable.
Before you contact a Real Estate Agent to list your home, take the following steps:
Get Ready Emotionally
A house really is a home. It's a place we've poured energy into a had a log of fond memories. It's also easy to become so accustomed to your home that you don't even really see the details of the property. You need to examine your home with detachment. What would a buyer be looking for; what do you need to improve; what should you get rid of; how does someone who doesn't have the emotional attachment view your home?
Next, you need to get ready to sell the home. Make sure you are really ready to let go of the home. When you are emotionally attached to a property, you are unable to make rational decisions. Many homeowners aren't willing to allow the home to be listed at a competitive price because they think it's too low or won't accept offers for the same reason.
A competent Real Estate Agent can be of great assistance when it comes to letting go of the home. The agent will offer you advice of the home's overall value and show you comparisons of similar properties in your neighborhood. If after reviewing the comparison, you still don't accept the suggested price, you may need to consider whether you are too attached to the property to sell at this time.
Making Home Improvements
Most homeowners want to sell their home because they want to move into a bigger or better home. Usually, the last thing we want to do is invest more time and money in improving the home that we won't be there to enjoy. But minor improvements can really make the difference between a home that lingers on the market and one that sells quickly.
Many homeowners put their home on the market without sufficient preparation. They put the house on the market, and then get lots of feedback about it. Maybe they will begin making changes to the home. Unfortunately, the longer a home sits on the market, the more of a stigma is attached to the property. When you make the changes upfront before listing, you have a lot less headaches and more interest in the property.
Real Estate Professionals, especially those that "flip" properties recommend that homeowners concentrate on the easy to fix problems, changing flooring, and paint. Sprucing up the outside, adding colorful plants, repairing or painting fencing, cleaning up the yard, all create curb appeal without a lot of investment.
Consider getting the home professionally inspected. It's far better to uncover potential problems before a prospective buyer points them out.
Depersonalize the Home
Finally, you want the house to be a place that prospective buyers can visualize themselves owning. Remove family photos and knick-knacks. In fact, it's a good idea to de-clutter the home. Most homeowners could safely store about 2/3's of their belongings and still make the home look lived in. Your house will look bigger, and more appealing if you store extra furniture and belongings.
A few simple changes can make your house seem bigger, fresher, more comfortable, and more appealing to buyers. A little investment upfront can mean a big payoff later down the road.
As you list your home, work closely with your Real Estate Agent to get a competitive price. Keep your house maintained in good condition, it's difficult to predict when buyers might come by to look at the home - hopefully you won't have to keep it maintained in picture perfect condition for long and will have an interested buyer in no time.
Are you are looking to buy or sell a home in Frisco or another city in North Texas? If so, then I can help. I am a licensed Mortgage Consultant located in North Texas with over 15 years experience in the industry. I can help you get pre-approved for your new home loan in Texas and even suggest some very knowledgeable and professional Real Estate Agents in your area of choice. If you are available to talk, then I am available to listen. Give me a call any time or visit my website for more details.
John Cannata p# 214.545.5604
Are you a fan of Basketball?
If you love basketball like I do, here is a great opportunity for you to play in a tournament for a good cause. This year is the 1st ever 3-on-3 basketball tournament which is being held in Frisco Square. The tournament is designed for anyone that fits the following description: Male or Female - Young or Old - Short or Tall. If you fall into one or more of those categories, than this might be the tournament for you.
There will be 16 divisions. Each team is guaranteed to play at least 3 games. After the 3rd game, you may qualify for division play-offs. These play-offs are single elimination. So you could play as little as 3 games or as many as 6 games.
Each participant gets an official tournament T-Shirt as well a 'Player-Pack' which is loaded with goodies.
Games are played 9/20/08 between 8 am and 6 pm. Please note that space is limited, so don't wait to register your team. The deadline to register is 9/13/08.
Visit Hoops In The Square for more information.
Most Importantly - the Net Proceeds from the event go to the following organizations: Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Boy & Girls Club, & Frisco Family Services. All are great organizations so I hope you are able to participate. See you out there!
This was posted on www.friscotexas.gov as a reminder. Thought i would share with all of you, in case you have some free time between 8 and 9 am on Monday.
On Monday, Mayor Maso invites residents of Frisco to join him for a cup of coffee and casual conversation. This is week will be the second meeting and is scheduled to continue on the 2nd Monday of each month.
When - 7/14/08 @ 8 am
Where - George A. Purefoy Municipal Center, 6101 Frisco Square Blvd
Discussion Topic - Casual Conversation about our community, developments, etc.
"Coffee with the Mayor" is one of the Mayor Maso's new communication initiatives. The first session was attended by 22 citizens. If you would like more information about this meeting, go to www.friscotexas.gov, click on 'Communication' and find 'Coffee with the Mayor'.
Hope to see you there.
John Cannata - Reliant Mortgage
 |
|
|
A Mortgage Consultant in Frisco Texas that specializes in removing the stress from buying or refinancing your home. Call me when buying your first home, tenth home, or just looking to lower your rate.
ActiveRain Corp. is not responsible for the accuracy of the site's content (which is written by members of the ActiveRain Real Estate Network) and does not endorse the views of the real estate agents, mortgage brokers, and others listed here.
Powered by the ActiveRain Real Estate Network
© 2009 ActiveRain Corp. All Rights Reserved
