Come by the open house at 529 Davis Road in Fairfield today between 12-3pm. This gorgeous new home, built by a premier Fairfield county builder, just hit the market this week. Come meet Basil and check it out for yourself. Take a look at the details in the link here.
One of the most difficult things to come to grips with when selling your home is the selling price. I am not talking about what you think your house is worth or what you owe on your home, but the actual selling price or what someone is willing to pay for a property. For many people this can be a shock to their system.
My favorite thing to tell people is “Anyone can list your home, but, I don’t want to list your home, I want to sell your home which is a completely different concept.”. Does that make sense?
I was just researching properties for a CMA. When doing so I wanted to see what was on the market in their area as well. 3 of the highest priced properties caught my eye. Upon looking further I noted these 3 properties were anywhere from $80,000 to $100,000 over priced. Why would anyone do that? To test the water? Did they buy at the height of the market and they need that to get out? Did they demand that be the price or they would not list the house at all? There are a number of possible reasons for this. But, one of those reasons should NEVER be because the agent didn’t do their homework.
The rumors you have all heard are correct, to a certain extent; the market is coming back. Unfortunately not in every town and not at the same pace. This does NOT mean that you can jack up the price of your house. Comparative values still matter, appraisals still matter and what a bank is willing to expend still matters, so it’s no free for all. The past is still indicative of the future. What has sold and what has not and why.
A Comparative Market Analysis is the foundation for an honest and open conversation about your property. It is facts and figures that no matter how much you would like to ignore them, exist and never lie. They are where every good Realtor/Client relationship begins, because it’s honest and like any good relationship honesty is a must.
Now let’s assume you have decided you want to sell your home. Congratulations! It’s a big step, but only the first of many……remember, honesty.
Now, assuming you have done all the paperwork, yes I know there is a lot but it’s for everyone’s protection I promise, you and your Realtor should do a complete walk through of your home. When I walk through a house I open closets, look under sinks, go in the attic and down into the cellar to look at the mechanicals. There will be things they think you should be prepared to do in order to give your property the best possible chance of selling; remember first impressions are everything and curb appeal can mean the difference of someone walking in your door for an open house and someone that does a “drive-by”.
So if you are looking for that top dollar be prepared to organize and purge. Use this as an opportunity to not only get your house ready to sell, but get you ready to move to a new home. Having your home ready to show within an hour or so of a call is important. Before you leave the house in the morning make sure the beds are made, the sink is empty, the bathrooms are clear and the garbage has been taken out. A funky smell can sour a showing in no time flat.
Moral of the story; listen to your Realtor if you really want to sell your home, especially when it comes to price.
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It’s amazing how many times you will hear this, especially before people find out you are an agent. I’m not sure how dealing with a Realtor ended up in the same category as going to the dentist. Since when did hiring someone trained and licensed to help you make the biggest purchase of your life become synonymous with someone who wants to put a drill in your mouth? People will hold off getting an agent until they no longer have a choice. No offence, but it’s a really bad strategy.
Explain to me exactly what it is that you are so adverse to. Expert advice, experienced insight, another set of eyes that can see your 3 year old about to grab the cats tail, the chauffeur? Are you adverse to having someone explain to you why getting pre-qualified is the first thing you should do BEFORE looking at that $700,000 house you have your heart set on? Or why buying the house right next door to the school is not a good idea if you have to be on your way to work no later than 7:15? Or, could it be that 3 page document they want you to sign before stepping inside one house? I mean, “why should you have to sign a document just to see houses?”.
First of all in the State of Connecticut it is REQUIRED. Selling a home is not like selling paint. There is a reason that licensing is a requirement, classes and mandatory continuing Ed classes. This IS the biggest purchase most people will ever make in their lives. It requires lawyers, legal town documents, sometimes town board approvals and variances. It’s a big deal. It requires each party to be legally represented by your own people. You do want people on your team to work for you and look out for your best interest right? That 3 page document does that.
If for some crazy reason a realtor chooses to take you to see houses without that document, he/she legally represents the SELLER as soon as they walk in the door. Not you, because you didn’t want them to and you will have to sign a waiver stating such.
Lastly, as a sales person we don’t get paid by the hour. We only get paid after a sale closes. How would you like to spend weeks showing properties to a client only to have that client turn around after finding the house they want and giving the sale to their cousin Fred? Do you think that would be fair? Of course not. We only have your best interest at heart and rely on you being a satisfied customer; satisfied customers make recommendations and remember us when they are ready to move up or down.
All that being said, when you hire someone to help you sell or buy a home, you are inviting them into your lives. Know who they are. Go to LinkedIn, their facebook business page and their website. Read their bio’s check out their recommendations and feel free to interview them. You are going to be spending time with this person, be fair to them, look out for yourself and always use a licensed agent.
http://www.coldwellbankermoves.com/Cynthia.Penkoff
If you are in the market for a home, one of the best days of the week is Open House Sunday. Are you a seasoned pro or a newbie? Either way, you need to be prepared as you may just find your next home today.
First you must go to your favorite website and see if the houses on your list are having an Open House, may I suggest www.CindyPenkoff.com? (I know shameless plug.) You make your list for the day, grab your coffee and go. The hardest part of this adventure, strangely enough, is being in the house, especially if you don’t have your agent with you. (You do have an agent right?)
The reason I say it’s the hardest part is you walk a fine line of feeling comfortable and feeling like a snoop. So here is the rule. If you know, when you walk in the door that you are not going to like this house “But let’s look any way since we are here”, walk through and leave. Simple. If nothing else it could add to the list of things you don’t like in a house. But, if you walk into a house that has potential, well then let the snooping begin.
Now, you are not going to really snoop, but you are going to give the house a good once over, you know like walking the car lots on Sunday when they used to be closed. This means, you open closet doors and medicine cabinets. Look under the sink cabinets for any leaks. Go into the basement and look at the electrical box and the sump pump. Is it dry or is there some moisture? Try opening and closing some windows and look up and look down. How does the ceiling look and do the floors look like you can work with them? Make notes; whether it be on your smart phone or a good old fashioned pen and paper. Look in the garage if it has one and walk around the yard.
Things off limits; drawers and anything NOT a part of the house. An old cool looking trunk in the basement or storage bins, any mail left on the counter and do not open that roll top desk. It’s not staying with the house. If it’s a personal item leave it alone and please do not let your children play with the toys of the children living in the home.
As much fun as it can be for a buyer, if you are selling your home, Open House Sunday is almost never your favorite day of the week. It really doesn’t matter how badly you want to sell your home either. You will feel as if you are being pushed out of your house, even if you are never home on Sunday in the first place. You will feel like you are being judged and you will feel like someone has gone through your things. At the same time you will be anxious to hear a report from your realtor at the end of the day. “How many people came and did anyone seem interested?” Validation.
The best advice I can give you, if you really want to sell your home, is read what I said above to potential buyers. Did you throw all your stuff in the walk in closet, the coat closet, under the sink or dirty dishes in the stove? Bad call. This place needs some spit and shine. More than likely you have known about this open house for at least a week. Don’t wait until that morning to get it all done. Has the lawn been groomed; first impressions are everything. How does the house smell? Yes smell. You would be surprised how many houses I go into that smell like teenage boys bedrooms. Choose something fresh and clean like lemon or orange. I hate to break it to you, all those candles you put around the house aren’t helping and nothing replaces a good old fashioned cleaning.
Here is the reality of Open House Sunday. If you really want to sell your house, you have to do it, but if you are going to do it, do it right. If you want to buy a house, open house Sunday is one of the best ways to find out what you like and what you don’t, just understand, somebody still lives there. So be a courteous guest.
