Are you ready to sell your home? Do you need a different home because your lifestyle has changed, your family has grown or your job has relocated? “The housing market has been particularly robust this year, with high demand for homes in almost every area of the nation. The real estate market has emerged as a boon for sellers and a source of worry for buyers in the middle of this epidemic. Home prices have been increasing in the mid-single digits for many years. Recent double-digit price rises reflect the convergence of exceptional demand and chronically low supply. Prices are increasing as a result of enough money on the sidelines and very low mortgage rates”‘ according to Marco Santarelli with Norada Real Estate Investments.
He is correct and that includes our area of Virginia. Home sellers need to know a strong visual presence online is imperative. Listings with visual tours receive more views than those without. Ask your Realtor if they use a professional photographer or videographer. Staged homes sell quicker and for more money. Your home’s online visual presence can look tired and boring or cluttered – or simply not there at all. Invite the buyer to want to make an appointment.
Housing supply now is at its lowest level since the 1970’s because of rising building prices, real estate speculators snapping up starter homes and low mortgage rates. More people are working from home and want greater living space and separation from adjacent houses than attached properties provide. Homes must be functional and comfortable. Home sellers must prepare before listing. Your Realtor has all the connections to get your home in its best condition for selling. All the small home projects that need to be finished or you’ve been thinking about doing – from a fresh coat of paint to decluttering or fixing a leaky faucet – now’s the time to do them. The little details will make a huge difference in helping “would-be” buyers see the potential in your space. You cannot overclean your home. Remember, this applies to the inside of your home as well as the outside.
Think about hiring a home inspector to check everything prior to listing so the buyer will have no reason to be wary. Help your Realtor by making showing appointments easy to schedule. Keep the house in “showing condition” and make arrangements for the children and pets to be away during showings. You and your agent are a team – the agent will advertise and market your home to get the showings, and it’s your job to make the showings successful.
With so few homes on the market, you should be prepared to receive multiple offers, possibly all at once. While it’s exciting, it’s important not to say “yes” too soon so you can clearly think through if the offer is right for you – and that may not necessarily be the highest one. In times past, sellers had 24 to 48 hours to accept an offer, so get your Realtor’s advice about how much time you can take to assess each offer you receive. Some home sellers will always choose the buyer who submitted the first offer. It is important to consider the money, the financing, the timing and the terms.
Have your Realtor review each offer and go through the contract thoroughly to look for the best terms for you. If you’re ready to sell your home then call a Realtor – your trusted advisor.