You CAN Sell Your House in Today's Market!!!

     I'm meeting with a lot of would be sellers of real estate... who are running scared, in light of today's economic climate. (Note:  They are the polar opposite of those sellers who think it's still 2005, but that's another story for another day...)  

     The truth is, however, that as of today, 08/25/2011, we have sold and closed 1,814 houses, condos, lots, and commercial buildings so far this year... in our small Flagler County, FL Realtor MLS/Multiple Listing Service (mostly in Zip Codes 32137, 32164, 32136, 32110) -  One Thousand - Eight Hundred - Fourteen!  That's a lot of closings in an economy that's supposedly in the doldrums!  Now what's really different from 2005 is that 53% of these are distressed sales - those that are corporate or bank owned or short sales.  In that segment, the overriding factor is "price."  Many (if not most) of these are in some form of dis-repair.  It's not a lot of fun to show dirty, overgrown houses with bugs and mold in 98 degree heat with no lights or A/C!  If you're in a bad way and walking away from your home, it's unlikely that you'll cut the grass, paint, or look out for the bank's best interest...

     So let's focus on the 47% "normal" market segment.  You want to leave retirement paradise in Florida to be closer to your daughter and grandchildren in Endicott, NY.  Here's where you really can make a difference.  Although price is more important than ever, "location, location, location" and "condition, condition, condition" are huge players and will separate you from the pack!  Many times, just a few hundred dollars will be enough to get a home "market ready," however, sometimes it can be a more significant need.  And believe me, it's way more than painting and cleaning I'm talking about.  I am amazed that someone would put a $500,000 - $1,000,000 waterfront home on the market... and not detail it!    So often, we hear, "If it's meant to sell, it will sell."  Or, "There's a buyer for every house."  There's more, but you get my meaning.  If you wanted to sell a used car, you'd detail it before a buyer came to look at it, right?  I'll tell someone, "If you'll follow my advice and put $5,000 - $10,000 into market preparation, you'll be way ahead of the game."  And their response is always, "Will we get all our money back?"  

     The answer to that loaded question is, "Maybe."  HOWEVER, if the effort causes your home to sell (at whatever the market will bear), while your competition sits "For Sale" - isn't it worth it?  Here is what I'm saying:  Don't shotgun your effort at market prep... be more like a laser.  Give a lot of thought to a real plan of action.  I mean, if you went the extra mile and put $10,000 of market preparation into a $500,000 house, you just might put real distance between you and the competition...  You may even create a dynamic that could cause it to sell near, at, or over asking price!

And what you need to do, may be quite different than what you might expect!

     Here is the "Three Legged Stool" for your Home Sale success:

1. Call me and I will come to your home and help you with the prep plan.  I have a dozen or more focused suggestions that will make your home outshine the others.
2. Listen to price advice that can be backed up with hard data... It's fair to say that the stainless steel nails you used on your garage shelves project are not worth $20,000.  Look in the mirror and practice saying, "I will not say that we "don't want to give our house away"..."
3. Allow me to prepare a "success oriented" marketing plan for you.  Once you've done steps 1 & 2, we'll want to let the buyers know about it!

(You can reach me in Palm Coast / Flagler Beach, FL at 386-931-1987)