Tips on how to sell in a down market

Price it right the first time!

· The best price you’ll get is the one now. If you wait, it will go lower.

· Window of Opportunity: When a home first comes on the market it attracts attention from those buyers who are motivated by the price to go find one. If it is overpriced, it will be written off from the beginning.

· If a seller has to reduce the price, it takes 2-3 times longer to sell, potentially delaying their move and increasing their carrying costs.

Get it in great condition before it is listed!

· What you see is what you get!

· Start from the outside and work in. If a buyer doesn’t like what they see when they drive by they won’t consider looking further.

· Clean, clean and then clean again.

· Have your home pre-inspected by a home inspection company.

· Take care of maintenance issues.

· Paint and update.

· Show your home off…STAGE it! A review of over 2800 properties in eight cities found that staged homes, on average, sold in half the time than non-staged homes did.

Take advantage of technology to market your home!

· Over 80% of homes are first seen on the internet.

· You have thirty seconds to make the buyer fall in love.

· A buyer will look through the pictures to decide if they want to view your home in person. If the pictures aren’t appealing or the colors are wrong, the buyer won’t look again.

· Take pictures after you have cleaned and staged your home….then market it everywhere you can on the internet.

Offer creative financing!

· Offer to pay closing costs.

· Offer down payment assistance, if a program is available.

· Buy down the interest rate.

· Offer owner financing.

· Offer a lease w/option to purchase.