Lourdes AcostaHow to Price Your Property?
A house properly priced is half sold.
But there are plenty of ways to price it improperly.
* You can't go by what you paid for the place. Perhaps you bought two years ago when local prices were skyrocketing, and things have cooled off since. Perhaps houses like yours can now be bought for less, and if you hold out for what you paid, you'll just waste your time..
On the other hand, perhaps prices in your area have taken off, and you'd short-change yourself if you just tried to "get my money out" (but you'd have a fast sale.).
* You can't go by how much you've spent on improvements. A given street will support only a given price range. If you've invested so much that yours would be the most expensive house on the street, the buying public is not likely to reimburse you..
* You can't go by your tax assessment figure. Even in communities that aim at full-value assessments, the figures are almost never in line with what buyers are currently ready to pay..
So how do you price your house?.
By putting yourself in a buyer's shoes..
What else is for sale in the area? How does it compare with your house? How long has it been on the market? What has sold recently, and how much did the buying public value it at? What has failed to sell in the past year?.
Any good real estate agent can furnish the data you need, often in the form of a report known as a CMA, Comparative Market Analysis. .
And once you have it, again think like a buyer. What price would it take for you to look at a list and say to an agent "Take me to see that one"?
If you decided to sell your home, now is the perfect time to prepare. You must grab the buyer's attention from the curb if you want top dollar. You need to look at your home from the buyer's eyes. Following these steps will help your house look its best for showings and open houses.
Exterior - A well manicured neatly trimmed lawn and a clean walkway make a good first impression. Invest in landscaping where it can be seen at first sight. Wash or paint your house if necessary. Repair or replace damage screens, glass panes, door hardware and other outdoor fixtures. Check the gutters and chimney.
Garage - Clean out the clutter, stack items against the walls or in shelves and repair cracked floors and walls.
Interior - Put a fresh coat of paint in the most used areas of the home. Clean the walls where paint is not appropiate (i.e. wall paper, paneling). Wash floors and bathroom tiles. Shampoo carpets. Get rid of the clutter. Clean your closets. Keep draperies open and window shades up. Replace burned out light bulbs, be sure every light switch works. Lubricate any sticking or squeaking doors. Make sure all plumbing is in working order. Replace air filters to help keep the dust down. Pay special attention to odors, place scented potpourri around the house. Keep pets away during showings.
Kitchen - Create a comfortable atmosphere in the kitchen with colorfull curtains, towels and placemats. Clear countertops of appliances to show more space and add green plants or bowls of fruit. Remember, prospective buyers will look inside cabinets, so make space and clean the inside too.
Living and Dining Room - Arrange your living and dining room furniture to create an open friendly effect. Straighten cluttered bookshelves and discard excess papers. Polish furniture and hardwood floors. Add flowers to the coffee table.
Bathrooms - Remove clutter from vanities and cabinets. Replace leaking or worn-out faucet. Clean under the sink, if there is any leaks fix them and clean up the damage using contact paper or paint. Be sure to clean the tile, polish mirrors and chrome. Deodorize the area. Put out nice towels and add scented soaps or candles.
Bedrooms must invite rest and peace - Avoid crowded look by removing excess furniture and unnecessary items. Keep rooms light and bright. Invest in attractive lines with decorative pillows and shams. Place scented candles or potpourri. Organize the closet.
I understand the value of your time and earned dollars. I will derive a Comparative Market Analysis, advertise, evaluate reasonable offers and get the final results you deserve! I have prepared a Marketing Plan, that will enhance the probability of the property selling, as well as help the property draw the best possible price in the shortest period of time. My marketing plan will expose your home to thousands of buyers and agents, creating an unparallel opportunity in this competitive market.
I will be glad to assist you in pricing your home. If you would like a Free Market Analysis with no obligation on your part feel free to contact me.
