Condition
If you want top dollar for your home, you have to have your home in top condition. Think of it this way: your home is in a beauty contest competing with other homes and trying to capture the heart of the same buyers. One of the biggest mistakes Realtors make is not helping sellers prepare their home for sale.
One of the best things you can do before you list your home is to have a home inspection. In today’s market, buyers are looking for homes that are move-in ready, and a home inspection can help make sure there aren't any lingering issues or maintenance problems that could potentially deter buyers down the road. This helps to reduce the chances of buyers walking away when something you didn't know about comes up in the home inspection AFTER an accepted offer.
Consult with a professional stager. The condition of a home is so very important that we as agents typically advise sellers exactly what to do room-by-room. To sell for top dollar, you need to show off space.
Price
In today’s market, buyers are looking for value. They have access to information on all available homes for sale in the area, and will compare your home with other properties on the market to see which home has the greatest value for their investment. So when selling your home, think like a buyer and remain flexible in your ideas of what your home will sell for.
You must also stay on top of your competition. Your agent should be watching the competition daily and advising you on changes that could affect you. If another seller brings their price down or offers incentives to a buyer, it can prevent your home from selling. Homes that sit on the market become stale to buyers and make them wonder what is wrong to have caused it to not sell in a timely matter. A competitive price at the beginning will save you time and money.
Access
There is a saying in real estate: “If you can’t show it, you can’t sell it.” In other words, if you don’t allow buyers to see your home on their schedules—which may not always be convenient for you—it will be very hard to sell and will surely take longer and cost you money. The hardest part of selling your home is to keep your home “show” ready at all times. Usually, this requires an extra 30 minutes in the morning before you go to work to make beds, do dishes, take the trash out, and open the blinds. Plan a little longer if you have pets. I’m a pet lover, but having a home for sale with pets can be a real challenge. A well thought out plan is important!
Agent
I see the role of "Realtor" as more of a "real estate consultant" than does the more traditional real estate agent. A great consultant should be continuously advising you on matters of the real estate transaction that can save you time and money. They should be experienced in the local market and its sales trends, in negotiating, and in time-sensitive contractual elements of the transaction.
According to statistics, nearly 86% of all buyers begin their search for a new home on the internet. Your real estate consultant should be in tune with today’s buyers and maximizing their marketing dollars to showcase your home in the ways buyers most commonly search.
Ready to List Your Wilmington Home?
If you're thinking of selling a home in the Wilmington area, you need an agent who's going to get the job done right by selling your home for top dollar... and in a reasonable amount of time. I've got the knowledge, the experience, and the resources to ensure that your home sale goes off without a hitch. Contact me today or start browsing my resources to find out how I can help you be a successful Wilmington home seller—just like many others I've helped over the years.