manicuring the 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 date 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 can easily tip the scales in either direction. The typical selling time in a hot market might be 30 days or less, while that of a slow market might be nine months to a year or more.
LIVING IN A SWIRLING FISHBOWL
Unless you have already moved to your new home, 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. Unrepresented Sellers can expect to get phone calls at all hours from unrepresented prospects and even buyers’ agents to show the home. However, if a seller is represented by a Realtor, those become few and far between as the marketing is tailored for all calls and showings to go directly through the listing agent. There are additional upheavals to a seller's daily routine when selling a home such as frequent updates by phone, email, and text, showing appointment scheduling messages, possible repair and reconditioning appointments, and home inspections and appraiser appointments. The house will also need to be professionally photographed for online, periodical, or brochure presentations as well as 3D interactive tours (which I do on just about every home I list). The first week a home hits the market you can expect multiple and repeated showings. It is important to keep your home in
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