prepare the home for presentation by improving, freshening, landscaping, and generally making the home pristine — and to live in that presentation-readiness state for the time it takes to sell the property — will greatly affect both the sale period as well as the price at which the home sells. A market in which homes normally sell in no more than six months of listing is considered balanced or neutral, which means a good number of homeowners are selling and buyers are purchasing; therefore, neither has an upper hand. A variable, for instance, like a major company entering — or moving from — the area will tip the scale toward homeowners to make a swift market or toward buyers to make a slow market. The typical selling time in a swift market might be 30 days, while that of a slow market may be up to nine months. Typically, any number below six months is considered a seller’s market. LIVING IN A SWIRLING FISHBOWL A house on the market requires keeping the home in a constant “show-ready” condition, and adjustment to changes in day-to- day life that are inherent in the process. Sellers get out-of- business-hours phone calls from unrepresented sellers get out of business hours phone calls from unrepresented, unqualified prospects and buyers’ agents to show the home. This requires frequent updates by phone, email, text, and showing appointment scheduling messages. On top of this, you may have repair and reconditioning appointments with contractors. Then there are inspection appointments. There are repeated showings when the home first hits the market. Keep your home in pristine showing condition for impromptu visitors — the perfect prospect might just send in a request at dinnertime. Inconvenient perhaps, but necessary to accommodate. Pricing a property conservatively will ensure success.
12
Powered by FlippingBook