THE REAL ESTATE MARKET IS CHANGING…
Remember when buying real estate was easy not so long ago? It was simple to buy a home, wait for a little, and then sell it to create Generational Wealth on a home that basically paid for itself. Then repeat, and repeat, and repeat…
As you can imagine, times have changed. Even though the market is still pretty hot, Buyers are very picky, and many homes that are listed for sale never sell. In order to avoid this conundrum, it’s imperative that you learn the costly mistakes typical sellers make that inhibit them from selling their homes fast and for top dollar.
THE 9 STEP SYSTEM TO GET YOUR HOME
SOLD FAST AND FOR TOP DOLLAR
When you decide to list your home, it becomes one of the most important steps to success in your life. The Jim Bottrell Real Estate Team has a 9-step proven system that will provide you with the tips and tricks you need to get the most money for your home, stay in control of the sale, and reduce the stress of the entire process that comes with selling. Here are the basics:
1. UNDERSTAND THE PRICING STRATEGY.
As Jim says, “Price is a MARKETING STRATEGY, it’s not for informational purposes”. This is one of the most important steps in this entire process. Pricing is where a Seller can let ego come into play and cause their home to sell for less money than it should… or not sell at all. If your home is not priced properly using a good strategy, it will sit on the market for far too long, turning buyers away from an “unwanted” home.
2. FIND THE BEST REAL ESTATE AGENT IN TOWN.
Have the agent pull statistics from the MLS live, right in front of you. A good agent knows how to do this. This way, you will be able to compare the agents actual selling statistics vs. what they just tell you. 92% of homeowners say that they won’t use the same realtor who sold their previous home. Their poor opinion is primarily based on terrible communication which leads to unrealistic pricing, strained relationships, and overall not enough feedback on the process. Do not get stuck with an agent like this.
3. MAXIMIZE THE POTENTIAL OF YOUR HOME.
You never get a second chance for a first impression. You wouldn’t choose to buy from a company if their products didn’t look good, right? This is the same with Buyers in this market. The appearance of your home is key! Do you ever see clutter in a model home? Also, fix EVERYTHING that is visible. Especially that burnt-out light bulb in the hallway you just haven’t gotten around to changing. Jim calls this “Spend $10 to save $10,000”.
4. RESEARCH THE HOMES IN YOUR AREA THAT DIDN’T SELL.
Homes in a neighborhood that did not sell tend to have a common trend. Jim Bottrell Real Estate knows how to do this and ensures that our sellers don’t do that.
5. MAKE IT EASY TO FIND INFORMATION ON YOUR HOME.
Why will you choose the agent you end up choosing? How did you find that agent? Was it superior marketing? The reason to ask this question is that agents that are good at marketing themselves are probably pretty good at marketing your home. The opposite is true as well. An agent that is not good at marketing themselves probably won’t be good at marketing your home.
Look up the agent (or team) that you interview to sell your home. How good do they market themselves?
6. UNDERSTAND YOUR BUYER.
If possible, it’s great to know the Buyers “why”. But this isn’t always possible. The Jim Bottrell Real Estate Team agents are better at extracting this information because we practice it.. Negotiation 101 is to know what the other side’s minimum needs are…and then meet them. Because if the other side does not meet their minimum needs, you don’t have a sale. This is easier if your listing agent knows how to extract that information from the Buyers agent.
7. DISCLOSE EVERYTHING!.
Make sure you disclose EVERYTHING! Sellers that are smart in this market will be sure to go beyond the standard of legal requirements to make sure the buyer understands certain defects or issues with their home. If the Buyer acknowledges these issues, there is no legal way they can come back for a lawsuit if something goes terribly wrong before or during the sale. Provide all terms, costs, and responsibilities spelled out in the contract and do not divert from it once in writing. Now is not the time to take chances.
8. DON’T CHANGE ANYTHING IN YOUR HOME ONCE IN ESCROW
Sometimes Sellers make cost-saving mistakes while in escrow like canceling the pool service or gardener for example. Some even make the very expensive mistake of turning off the water while they are in escrow. The Seller is responsible for turning over the home in the same condition as it was when it went into escrow.
9. UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE SELLING AND STICK WITH IT.
What is most important to you in the sale process of your home? Price, Speed, Least Hassle? The reason you decide to sell will affect everything in the process including what you price your home at, how long you want escrow to be, and how much money you invest in getting your home ready for sale. Ask yourself, what is more important: the money you make, how much time it takes, or maybe both? This will tell an experienced agent what strategy to choose that will best fit your plans.
