Northern Virginia Home Seller Tip- Selling your First Home?
We have read articles and blogs about first time home buyers and
but what about first time sellers???? Very few of the home sellers have
sold and bought homes in their life. So here is the guide for first time
home sellers in Virginia:
1. Interview Realtor:
It will be convenient to hire Realtor who recently sold neighbors home
or a Realtor who sends out mailers every month to your home. However
before you sign up with any Realtor, meet and speak to at least couple
other Realtors in the area. Interview them, if they meet your
personality and goal to sell your home. It is a long & a big
financial decision process....you want to hire someone whom you are
comfortable working with.
Real Example:
I recently met a seller who withdrew the listing from the market with
his current Realtor and wanted to hire me to sell their home. I ask them
why they are letting go of their current Realtor. The reason, since
this Realtor had recently sold a home in neighborhood, they figure if
will be convenient just to hire same person. But this own situation
turned out a nightmare for the sellers. Their home was listed in slow
summer market, the Realtor was rude and did not respond to any questions
of the sellers, the information on the MLS was incorrect and sellers
had to ask the Realtor to correct the information after weeks of
reminder. Pictures were very poorly taken. Above all it cost them to
change their big plans to move near their family in other state since
the school year was around the corner now they have to wait out till
next summer before they can be on the market. Bottom line: Sellers do
not home work!!! Research online about the Realtor you want to hire.
This goes hand in hand with the above. If the Realtor whom you decide
to hire assures you above market value of the home price ask him/her to
meet you and show you the competition homes. Whether slow or fast pace
your market is, this strategy will help you place your home at right
price.
Historic data has shown over priced listings don't sell!!!! And Realtor knows every seller slogan is
"But.....I don't want to give away my home" .
3. Realtors are not Critics: You have hired a professional to do a job
(to SELL your HOME) .
We are not here to play with your emotion and criticize your home. If
you have lived in your home for past "n" years and it shows your
personality great!!! But we are in business. Listen to your Realtor; get
your home staged for the buyers in the market.
4. Be a Proactive Seller:
Yes, you may have been in the market for 90+ days or however longer if
you think your Realtor is not doing what they had promised sure fire
them and hire another Realtor. Changing merely Realtor after being on
the market does not magically change things about your home sell. So
what you should do:
a. When your Realtor brings feedback from
buyers/buyers agent listen to them. Ask him/her what you should do in
order to avoid losing another buyer or put your home in top of list for
buyers.
b. Be proactive about the market place. Have your Realtor email you comps frequently to see where your home ranks in the market.
c. Again, visit your competition.
d.
As a Realtor we love to work with sellers who are as motivated, willing
to listen and work towards achieving our common goal to sell your home.
e. Remember your Realtor does not earn salary, if he/she does not sell your home they are not making money.
5. Being a Stubborn Seller: Don't be offended by low ball offer. That is just a first step on someone who likes your home.
Selling your home is all about negotiation and creating a win-win .
Second mistake many sellers make is once you’ve negotiated a price,
it’s natural to calculate how much you’ll walk away with from the
closing table. However, problems uncovered during inspections will have
to be fixed. The appraisal may come in at a price below what the
buyers offered to pay. Be prepared to negotiate with the buyers over
these bottom-line-influencing issues.
Your home is not SOLD till all the contingencies are removed. My related blogs/guide for Virginia Home Sellers: 1.
Safety Tips when selling your home. 2.
7 Costly Mistakes that affect the Sale of your home. 3.
Don't be creative seller that will cost your home sale. 4.
Five Reasons your home did not get a Contract 5.
Sell OR Rent your Current Home? 6.
What devalues your Virginia home for sale? 7.
Are you a stripper or a serious home seller? 8.
Almost there...Sellers Final Walk Through Check list .
9.
Get Rid of that SMELL...Tips for seller to remove odor from home 10.
Details Matter-When selling your Virgina Home.
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