PRICING YOUR HOME TO SELL......AN ART?   OR   A SCIENCE?

Pricing a property in today's changing market is as much an art as a science.  New, never lived in homes are a little easier....everything is brand new and up to date.....no dirt, no outdated appliances, no dog, cat or animal odors, no worn spots in the carpets, no issues with older systems in the home.

Homes that have been lived in however,  require proper pricing for the current market conditions to ensure a timely sale.  A year ago, a seller could price his/her home at the top of the market and be assured of a speedy sale.  In today's changing market, that is not such a sure thing.  With more homes on the market, for longer periods this year, buyer's have a choice and can take their time shopping around for the best home at the best price.  Your home needs to be in top condition and priced right for the market, to ensure a timely sale.  While there may still be opportunities to make plenty of money on the sale of your home (depending upon the length of time since you purchased), you may not be able to sell your home for the highest price in the neighborhood, compared to the sales from this time last year.

IF YOU ARE SELLING YOUR HOME IN THIS MARKET, THE RIGHT PRICE AND CONDITION ARE KEY! 

Think about it......it's supply and demand. 

If there are more homes on the market for buyers to choose from, they will give serious consideration to those in the best condition with a reasonable asking price for the CURRENT market conditions. 

If you are thinking of selling your home, you have made a decision to move on, whether it be in our area, or elsewhere.  Does holding off on your goals make sense for a few thousand dollars? 

Living in a home and selling it, are often two completely different scenarios.  When your home is NOT on the market, it doesn't matter if it is not always as clean and neat as you would like.  Toys don't have to be picked up as soon as they are taken out.....the yard doesn't have to be mowed and edged and always looking it's best, you don't have to worry about cleaning up the dishes as soon as they are used, your aunt Mary's recliner that means so much to you, but is in need of some loving attention can be prominently placed, ready for you to rest after a hard days chores, right in front of the TV.  YOUR home is YOUR castle and it can be as comfortable as you would like. 

BUT.........

When your home is on the market, you need to make sure it shows it's best EVERYTIME you have a potential buyer coming through. 

You NEVER get a 2ND chance to make a GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION!

That is a tough standard for anyone to live with.....but live with it you must.........if you are trying to sell your home!!!  Pricing is often the only difference between your home 'sitting' on the active market for an indefinite period of time and getting it sold and being free to move on. 

Don't waste your time by asking an unreasonable price for the current market  (even if reasonable in today's market is slightly lower than it might have been at this time six months ago).

Don't forget, when you are on the buying side in a market such as ours, you will also be looking for the best possible home at the best possible price.  If there are many homes for you to choose from, you will be looking to negotiate the best deal.  You will most likely not be willing to pay the price you would have had to pay last year when we were in a seller's frenzy!  Why would you?  You can just as easily look down the street or across town for a similar home priced more reasonably.

PRICING IS INDEED AS MUCH OF AN ART, AS A SCIENCE.

As your REALTOR, you and I will work together as a team, to help you price your home 'right' for our market....to get the highest possible price, in the shortest amount of time, and ultimately to accomplish YOUR GOAL OF SELLING YOUR HOME so that you can move on.