LogoMotive July 2006

Signs, Signs

By Jennifer Seiler

... everywhere there are signs!  Yes, Spring is finally here and so are all of those real estate signs.  It is no secret that Spring is the best time of the year to start marketing your home, however, in some area new homes for sale will compete with many homes still for sale from last year.

Everyone has heard the Michigan market isn't quite what it once was.  According to Realcomp II Ltd.,m the largest MLS service in southwestern Michigan, there were over 37,000 homes on the market as of March 1, compared with only 11,000 during the same period in 2001.  So if you are one of many trying to sell your home you may ask yourself, "What can I do to surpass the competition?"

Here are some sensible guid3elines to help you market your home successfully.  Start by consulting a real estate agent.  Selling your home on your won, in theory, may sound easy and has the potential to save money, yet with a diminishing supply of buyers, you may miss the exposure you need to get your house sold.  A real estate agent has the ability to market your home to thousands of agents working with buyers, and they have the marketing savvy to get potential buyers in your front door.

Interview several agents and choose the one that is the most familiar with your area.  A good agent will speak honestly with you about pricing your home properly.  You do not want to overprice yourself from potential buyers and waste a lot of time.  We all think our house is worth a million dollars but this is just not the case.  In today's market, price is what sells.  You could spend months making unnecessary payments if your price isn't right for the current market.

Make your home inviting to all who enter.  Start with a fresh coat of paint.  It is amazing how much better a home will show with fresh color on the walls.  Consult with your agent for suggestions about the colors most appealing to buyers.  in addition, any small item that may be viewed as either flaws or repairs should be rectified, right down to the light fixtures.  Don't give  potential buyer any reason to dwell on minor items that can easily be repaired.

Remove your personal photos and knick-knacks.  You want someone entering your home to envision their family living there.  Less is indeed more, especially in small spaces.  Overstuffed bookshelves and coffee tables make spaces look cluttered and small.  To make your rooms look more spacious, remove the clutter and place only a few pieces on tables.

Sadly, it is all too common these days for people to pay mortgages on two homes.  Which means one is vacant.  Talk with your agent about hiring a staging company to help you make your home more appealing to potential buyers.  A home that is clean and has furniture and artwork on display gets better results.  This allows a potential buyers to envision their personal belongings in the home - and is more inviting and homey.

Don't be threatened by the amount of homes for sale, there are still many quality buyers looking to buy today!  There is a buyer for every home, so make sure they see yours.  Market smart, follow the advice of a trained professional, and be realistic about how much time it may take, price it right and your home sill sell successfully.

For more information, contact Jennifer Seiler at jseiler@KayeFinancial.com

Articles in this edition of LogoMotive:

Conductor

Rose Best     BNI Networking

Signs, Signs