The Realtor
All real estate agents are not created equal. When you are seeking a realtor, understand they are the same fee. The best top selling real estate agent is paid the same as an agent selling one to two houses per year. If you walked into a car dealership that has a loaded Mercedes and a standard option Kia for the same price, which vehicle would you choose? Do your homework and get the BEST!
Price of House
Pricing your real estate listing too high can cost you money. Your hottest potential home buyers are in the first 17 days. Listing your home too high then reducing the price opens you up to “low ball’ offers. The added time on the market starts to perceive your home as having issues. Just because “you need XX for your next dream house” or “we just want to get our money back” doesn’t justify inflating your homes price. Another common reason is “But the people down the street sold their house for XX.” Yes, they had central air, fresh paint, larger bedrooms, a new roof, two car garage and a home stager. The real estate agent has viewed your house, run the numbers and knows the demographics. Listen to your agent and list it for the market value.
Zillow
Claim your home on Zillow! In some cases, you can bring your home’s Zestimate appraisal up from 10k to an upwards of 50k. Home buyers want to know what the house is worth and if it is a good value. Realtors do not hold much weight in Zillow, but home buyers still go there in droves. Add home improvements and incorrect data such as Sq. Ft., the number of rooms, lot size and amenities. Bringing your Zestimate up shows your home is a good value, and the buyers are not “getting ripped off”. Do not add any pictures at this time, wait for your professional photos when your home is listed. Updating your property only take a few minutes, and it is FREE.
Real Estate Photographer
Hiring a Real Estate Photographer is imperative! You are now just one click away from your prospective buyers moving on to the next listing. Your photos must look AMAZING while showing its best features, lighting, and angles. Real estate photographers take several shots of each angle and superimpose the photos for maximum results. Real estate photography can cost anywhere from $75 – $250 and is worth every red cent. Some top selling agents include this in their listing package, ask them if they do. You know those agents understand the formula! Realtors and homeowners are not photographers, so do not settle for mediocre pictures on your most expensive asset.
Certified Home Stager
Hiring a certified home stager before listing your house is the motherload of must do’s! Your home needs to be marketed to a broad span of home buyers. Most sellers are under the impression that “They are buying our house, not our stuff” and that is an expensive mistake. There is a science to displaying and marketing a home for sale. Guiding prospective buyers through each space with emotional connection points is a delicate art. Certified home stagers are experts in this field. If your listing doesn’t show as modern, uncluttered and fresh, you have just up-sold your competition. Commonly, home stagers offer a 2-hour consultation in owner-occupied homes (preferably before listing). It consists of a room by room “how to” on creating marketable spaces for a spectacular listing. There is also half and full day staging packages where your home is set up for you! Some certified home stagers also specialize in unfurnished homes. They have warehouses full of on-trend furnishings, art, and accessories that drive in potential buyers.
