This vignette tells you what any real estate professional would tell you about home selling details. Ask them:

How long do homes in my neighborhood currently stay on the market?

How would you price my home?

What data did you use to arrive at that price?

How would you market my home?

What activities would you expect of me to market my home?

How will you handle representation if one of your buyers is interested in my home?

May I speak with sellers you’ve recently represented?

How long a period would you want on a listing agreement for my house?

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As you’ll see in this vignette, real estate marketplaces are generally most active in summer because families with children want to move in before school starts. So more homes are typically available in summer as well.

But buyers and sellers tend to balance out in other seasons too, especially in today’s tight market.

There may be fewer buyers in late December but usually fewer homes, too. So, prices tend to rise or fall on general demand in that market rather than time of year.

The best time to sell is when you and your house are ready to sell. Start working with a real estate professional as early as possible to make the most of your sale in any season. read more

Like the vignette shows, it’s a good idea to compare several real estate brokers, then choose your favorite local KW REALTOR® (tic). And ask these questions.

What is your experience in my community and neighborhood?

What type of representation do you offer? Different states have different types. Some real estate brokers represent buyers, some represent sellers, some act as neutral parties between both.

And in some states like California, different people at a single firm can handle each side in a transaction. read more

While this vignette simplifies things to help you remember: your aim is to get the best price AND terms in your market during the period you’re selling.

Market conditions interest rates and competition all matter.

The price you want and the best price a buyer will pay are framed by those complex conditions.

So establishing the best price on your house isn’t completely predictable.

Other factors include:

• How your home compares to other homes for the same buyers
• The inventory of homes and the level of buyer demand

Your needs also affect negotiations – for example, if you must sell quickly – but the final price will be determined by the market not by your needs. read more

As you’ll see in the vignette, every home marketed presents a unique situation. Good marketing plans will include:

Preparation Pricing and Marketing Activities.

Preparation takes time – typically, months. Homes must be in “show” condition all repairs and upgrades complete and all photos and video completed before the home goes on the market.

Pricing, likewise, should be planned in advance. Your real estate professional will advise on both the best price and the best TERMS things like closing costs and seller credits to balance sales speed with sales price. Once the home is on the market it will quickly be entered in the MLS and will show up in Internet searches by agents and buyers. read more

How do I calculate my price? The best answer is “get help from a real estate professional.”

Meanwhile…if you have a few minutes for a short vignette,  here are five points to consider.

1. Start With Measurement

Learn the average per-square-foot price for recent sales in your neighborhood. That won’t set your final price, but it’s a baseline buyers will use.

2. Get Comparisons

Ask for Comparative Market Analysis – “comps” – from several agents. Go through each comp with each agent to understand both competitive homes on the market AND each agent’s potential approach to yours. read more

If you’re selling, don’t make these six selling mistakes – take some notes from the vignette!

1. Don’t Sell Before The House Is Ready.

If it doesn’t present well, it won’t sell well.

2. Don’t Over-Improve

People buy houses in neighborhoods.

If yours is so “improved” that it sticks out you’re hurting your chances at selling.

3. Hire Wrong

Make your agent choice for business reasons.

Personal relationships matter, but experience and expertise will determine financial success in your sale. read more

Home size- square footage- is one of the key figures used in comparisons.

But you may have different measurements to choose from,  as you’ll learn in this vignette, including builder, appraiser, tax records and possibly owner records.

Which one is right, and which one is best?

The official square footage figure is the one in tax records – typically, the county.

Any other figure must be documented by a builder’s floor plan, an appraisal or an official floor plan, prepared by a company for a fee. read more