For a complimentary consultation regarding selling your home, please call me at 503-936-4468 or use the form to the left.
Do You WANT to Sell or Do You NEED to Sell?
Knowing whether or not you NEED to sell is very important to me. If you need to sell your home within a short time period, setting a competitive price is imperative. I can help you determine an appropriate price based on the unique attributes of your house. When a home is priced correctly, it doesn't stay on the market for long. If you are not in a hurry to sell in the next six months, setting a higher listing price can be a risk you are more willing to take. Remember: If your home is priced too high, it may be on the market for months and may end up selling for less in the long run.
Determining an Asking Price
You want to get top dollar for your home, but at the same time, don't want to delay a purchase with a price that is too high. Setting an artificially high price may cause your property to languish on the market for months. Homes that are priced too high miss the target market. Qualified buyers may not even look at your home, because it is out of their price range. Price reductions may lead buyers to wonder "Why didn't it sell earlier - What's wrong with this house?" Setting a price too low will overwhelm you with lookers - and you may get many offers, but you could lose thousands of dollars on your most important investment!
If your home is priced right from the beginning, you have the best opportunity of reaching the most qualified buyers. Buyers who have seen most available homes in their price range are just waiting for the right house to come on the market. That's why a well-priced home often sells quickly once it is lised. Homes receive the most interest when they have been on the market for less than five weeks! You want your home to be viewed in this manner for the highest return on your investment.
As your agent, I do an on-site market analysis to determine an appropriate price recommendation. Some of the factors to consider in pricing your home include: Your location, market demand, economic conditions, average home prices in your neighborhood, local schools and attractions, and of course, your home's unique features and upgrades.
What Lowers An Asking Price
When determining a home value, I look at comparable homes in the area and market fluctuations. While this helps me find a target listing price, the unique features of each individual home cannot be ignored. Consider the street traffic, view - or not, and lot size. Does your home need cosmetic improvement? Are there more serious repairs required? Specific qualities that can lower a list price are: bad odors, old flooring/paint, no garage, high traffic and distance from city center. Even in a planned community, homes become more unique over time, and custom upgrades and care can affect the value of each home independently. If you wonder what your home might sell for, I provide a comparative market analysis at no charge.
Sweeten the Deal If you are looking for a quick closing, you may "sweeten the deal" by offering buyers a little extra incentive.
Some sellers offer a credit to potential buyers to help cover the buyer's closing costs. This can give a hesitant buyer the cash they need to move forward, since many buyers face a cash crunch when buying a home.
Another great incentive is to include a one-year home warranty, which covers major appliances and some other repairs in the buyer's first year in the home. This can offer peace of mind a hesitant buyer needs, especially when purchasing an older home. Future repairs become less of a concern to the buyer facing a cash crunch - and again, a warranty provides "the edge" your house has over other similar homes for sale in your area. Home warranties usually cost $300 to $500, according to American Home Shield, one of the major providers of such warranties.
What is A Counter Offer? It is nothing more than a new offer. When a counter-offer is offered, the seller or buyer can either accept, decline, or offer a counter-offer in response. A counter-offer usually means "We are interested, but here are our terms...." Counter-offers reflect the back-and-forth activity of a typical real estate transaction. They can bridge the gap between buyer and seller expectations. It's an extremely common process -- but also one that may contain tricky clauses and hidden costs. When I list your home, I can explain your specific options in detail , offer professional recommendations, and I will assist in the actual negotiations in your best interest.
If you are considering selling a home, please view my MARKETING PLAN. Right from the beginning, I will make sure you receive vital information and marketing options to make informed decisions and encourage your best return.
Learn more about staging your home to sell for maximum appeal and exposure
The Internet has transformed the way Americans buy and sell their homes.
Nine out of 10 home buyers still use a real estate agent to purchase a home, but use of the Internet to search for a home has risen dramatically during the past several years, changing the way the real estate industry does business.
According to new figures from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), using the Internet to search for a home increased from only 2% of buyers in 1995 to 80% in 2006. The online searchable database now ranks as the number one most-used aid.
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Ted Harris • Realtor® • NWsold.com • NWsold@gmail.com • Cell: 503-936-4468 Real Estate Agent Serving the Greater Portland, Oregon Metropolitan Area
