Selling a house is neither simple nor a short process. It often requires weeks, if not months, of pre-sale preparation, and once on the market, the added task of keeping the property ready to show on short notice. No wonder so many homeowners dread the thought of added work, losing the freedom to live as they want in their little fiefdom and perhaps worst of all, throwing their asset into a moody market.
What's a seller to do?
Review the Past: Failure to disclose past events, current conditions or other material facts is probably the top cause of lawsuits. When selling a property, there are no secrets. You may love the foghorn that trumpets its warning in the middle of a foggy night, but your buyer may find it an annoying surprise. Ditto for that little drainage problem, plumbing issue etc. Fill out the seller's transfer disclosure with the zeal of a budding novelist. It's tell all time. Ask for an addendum if needed. Most of all don't hold back or it might come back to cost you later.
Look into the Future: Buyers almost always want to know why the homeowner is selling a property. It is a fair question--be honest. If the buyer will be surprised by new construction that will block the view or create traffic or noise issues in the future, deal with it now. Reveal what you know about the future.
Accept the Present: The old real estate market is gone, a new one may be right around the corner, but the present one is the one we have now. Buyers are shopping and the marketplace offers many options. Make sure your property is memorable. Maximize its best features, minimize its flaws. Then step back and let the process begin.
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
PalosVerdesLifestyle - Nominated by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Information is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Selling a Home in Palos Verdes - Buying a Home in Palos Verdes
Palm Desert Area Lots for Sale - Homes with Views in Palos Verdes
Subscribe via ActiveRain - Subscribe via Email - Start your own blog on activerain!
Sell Smart, Buy Wise and Live Well
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333
PalosVerdesLifestyle- Norma's award winning site as the best Palos Verdes homes and real estate blog since 2007. Selected by Relocation.com as one of the top ten Los Angeles area real estate blogs. Chosen by MovingCost.com as one of the best Los Angeles realty blogs. Awarded 5 out of 5 stars by Lender411 blog review. Ranked by Technorati in the top 1% of all blogs. As seen in the Daily Breeze newspaper.
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Based on information from the Association of REALTORS®/Multiple Listing as of the initial date of this article/blog publication and /or other sources. Display of MLS data is deemed reliable but is not guaranteed accurate by the MLS. The Broker/Agent providing the information contained herein may or may not have been the Listing and/or Selling Agent.
Find Norma on: Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Email Norma
Palos Verdes Homes Blog - Palos Verdes Houses
Palos Verdes Horse Property - Palos Verdes Realtor Agent
Palos Verdes Coastal Homes - Los Angeles Home Search
Photos of Palos Verdes - Palos Verdes Videos
Palos Verdes Luxury Homes - Beach Cities Homes
Great post. I love the last paragraph Accept the Present, some buyers and sellers have a hard time with this.
Thank you, Lorinda. I'm finding more sellers are realistic and ready to work the market we have right now.
I find it helpful to show the seller the current active listings then show them the sales for the last 3 months. In the Phoenix area it's easy to see that as a rule, it's only the best priced homes that are selling.
Amy - I agree, past sales are a powerful indicator of what buyers are purchasing--and it usually comes down to price.
Living in the past (market) is probably the hardest for a seller to let go of. As you say, we have to deal with the present.
Your comments on 3 successful tips to a successful sale are very helpful. Accepting the present seems to be the hardest one for buyers, sellers and agents to do.
Betty
Nick - Those glory days of real estate don't have to be forgotten, but they have lost their relevance.
Betty -- I am finding more and more sellers are educated about the market conditions, and although they may not embrace it, they accept it more willingly than in the past.