This is MY home. I have lived here for years, made friends, know all the neighbors, is in a great location, and everybody would want MY house. The truth is, some of this is sentiment based. Sentiment does not sell houses. If you want to sell your houses there are important aspects.
First and foremost, know your market. An overpriced home will be lots of fun for browsers, nosy neighbors, unqualified buyers, and yes, true buyers to visit. Overpriced houses typically do not sell, or they sit on the market for months at a time. Your house must be priced according to the market. In reality, sellers do not decide the price. The market does.
Clutter, uncleanliness, outdated cabinets, outdated kitchens, and outdated bathrooms detract from your home. The end result is these factors detract from your price realized. Many buyers will discount their offers due to these conditions. Are you prepared to resolve these problems first? Resolving cleanliness and clutter are free. They don’t cost a dime.
Repairs will cost your money. They will cost money to fix, or result in lower offers if not corrected. Some are an easy fix such as missing cabinet pulls. Small fixes such as cosmetic problems are an easy fix as well. Remember: looks sell.
Negotiating after you sign a contract. Many buyers will put in an offer they do not intend to keep. Put in a full price offer, and then negotiate down for condition. This is a great tactic for buyers, and usually costs the seller. Is your seller asking for reasonable reductions for what needs fixing, or are they telling you an unrealistic price to repair? There are very real reasons for the buyer making a counter-offer. A leak in the roof discovered during inspection, foundation problems, and major system issues may be a legitimate reason for their counter-offer.
Disclosing reasons for selling can hurt you. Are you filing for divorce? Unable to make mortgage payments? Needing to move quick due to job relocation? These do NOT need to be divulged to potential buyers. Sellers providing a home disclosure form are not queried these questions. They must divulge known defects, but personal issues such as an impending divorce, inability to keep the mortgage currents, etc are not required. Keep personal reasons for selling out of the conversation.
Cash is king? Not always. A qualified buyer, preapproved for a mortgage, may be willing to pay more. The question then comes down to: how long will financing take, and are you willing to wait longer for a higher price?
Some buyers are not true buyers. There are those that sign a contract with no intention of actually buying the house. Their intention is to tie up the property and then attempt to sell the contract. Beware buyers asking for long inspection periods and those wanting multiple “inspections”. Generally, ONE inspection with a licensed company is all that is needed by a legitimate buyer.
Good pictures and videos are a great help. Hire a professional photographer to handle this.
Closing dates can matter, If your buyer wants a fast transaction resulting in a fast possession, this may not be convenient for the seller. How fast are you prepared to move? Asking for a 30 day closing time frame is realistic for many sellers. They need time to pack, toss junk, and find a new home.
Hiring an experienced agent, if that is what you intend to do, matters. A good agent, with market knowledge, marketing knowledge, and attention to detail is important. All agents are not created equal.
Where does swflcashforhomes come in? We will close on your schedule. Don’t want to move but want to sell? Our “sell and stay” option is a great way to unload the burden of home ownership, and continue to live in “your” home.
Why deal with us? We are true cash buyers, and are always willing to provide proof of funds. We usually ask for a five day inspection. Dealing with us, there will not be multiple open houses, and rest assured we want to buy your house. No games. No gimmicks. Our contracts are straight forward.
www.swflcashforhomes.com
