Define your needs. Write down all the reasons for selling your home. Ask yourself, "Why do I want to sell and what do I expect to accomplish with the sale?" For example, a job opportunity in another city may necessitate a move or a growing family may prompt your need for a larger home. For your goals, write down if you'd like to sell your house within a certain time frame or make a particular profit margin. Work with your Nesbitt Realty real estate agent to map out the best path to achieve your objectives and set a realistic time frame for the sale. Continue reading
Friday is the best day of the week to sell a home. Homes listed on Friday sell for 99.1 percent of their original asking price, a higher percentage than homes listed on any other day of the week, according to a study by real estate broker Redfin, which analyzed more than 500,000 home listings and sales records.
The best month to sell? April, according to the analysis. Homes sold in April tended to sell closer to their asking price. In April, homes were found to sell for a 99.2 percent sale price-to-list ratio, compared to a 97.3 percent ratio of homes listed in December.
Springtime is still a good time to sell for a higher price and also in the fastest time too, according to the study. Homes tended to sell within 90 days of being listed during March through June, according to the study.
Redfin also found that pricing the home competitively from its debut is critical because that’s when it’ll receive the most traffic. During the first week a listing debuts on the market, it receives nearly four times more visits on real estate Web sites than it will a month later.
Source: Redfin
Nothern Virginia Condo Experts
It should be obvious, but start by choosing a selling agent that cares about you and your condominium. The agent you choose should also understand the benefits and challenges of the condominium lifestyle.
An agent who has never lived in a condo or owned property in a condo might not appreciate the benefits of life without guttering, lawn care or exterior maintenance issues. Your Condo Alexandria agent knows how a condo community functions and just how great it is to own a condominium. A Condo Alexandria agent understands why some units are more than others. A Condo Alexandria agent can help others understand what a great view you have or how nice it is to be close to the parking lot.
Each condo has it's own benefits. We find your unit's benefits and make it obvious so that seller who want your condominium can find it.
5 Sure Signs That Its Time To Sell Your Home
When should I sell my home? This is not always the easiest question to answer. A lot of people don't plan on living in their first, second, or even third home forever, but still knowing when to let go and move on can be tricky. It can feel like ending a long term relationship, it's…
6 Budget Tips For Staging A House To Sell In Arlington
If you are trying to land a great deal for your property in Arlington, then you can't afford to overlook home staging. You'll want to hold a terrific open house- one that leaves the attendees entranced. And the good thing is, you can do that without having to break the bank.
Staging Hints For Sellers With A Place At Stratford On The Potomac In 22308
Are you planning to list your residence? A home that isn’t staged may sell if properly prices. On the other hand, a staged place of residence will sell faster and for more money. What steps can you take now to sell your split foyers-style house in a Split Foyer-style community?
This is the 15th year that Remodeling magazine has released the Cost vs. Value Report. The purpose of this report is to compare the cost of an improvement versus the value the improvement will likely add to the sale of your home. If you're thinking of selling this year, take a look at this list and see what might best benefit your home and family. This year’s survey included more than 3,900 appraisers, sales agents, and brokers across the country who provided their opinions and estimates.
Balcony
In a tight market, there will be offers. Be ready for all offers, and don't be offended if someone tries to lowball you. You know what your condo is worth. Sometimes a lowball offer is just a buyer's way of asking you if you'll negotiate. Your reply should be, "Sure I'll negotiate, but I'm not stupid."
For this reason, decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable. Then, respond with a counter-offer to keep the ball moving.
When buying or selling a condo in Alexandria, VA, the role of a real estate agent plays an important part during the process and the closing of a sale.
As a seller, your real estate agent –
Help you in analyzing its fair market value
Help prepare the condo for selling quality
List your condo to get it out in the market efficiently
Negotiate in pricing with potential buyers
Complete your sales agreement and finally close the sale smoothly
As a buyer, your real estate agent can –
Help you decide what is better for you, renting or owning
Assist in preapproval in mortgage
Locating, viewing and selecting the right condo
Help you in analyzing its fair market value
Help prepare the condo for selling quality
List your condo to get it out in the market efficiently
Get your dream condo with a real estate agent’s help. Contact Nesbitt Realtyhttp://nesbittrealty.com
1451 Belle Haven Rd. #222
Alexandria VA 22307
LICENSED IN VIRGINIA
703 765 0300
888 783 6391 (fax)
Homes in Belmont Bay
In a buyer’s market, sellers have little room for error when putting their home on the market or they risk having their property linger. Sellers should take caution to avoid the following common traps, according to a recent article at MSNBC.com.
Overpricing the home. Home values have dropped considerably since its peak in 2006, but sellers still are often tempted to list a home based on what they paid for it. Eventually they realize their error and have to reduce their price, sometimes several times. In the past month, 23 percent of homes listed for sale on Zillow have reduced their price.
Relying too much on just comps. Size up your competition currently on the market, not just the homes that have already sold. Evaluate homes with a listing price similar to yours to see how well yours stacks up against the competitions and how you can differentiate.
Failing to take into account the home’s web appeal. Photos are key when marketing a home online. Be sure to include lots of high-resolution photos of the interior, including of the areas in a home that buyers most care about, such as kitchen, living spaces, and bathrooms, experts say.
Hovering during showings. Sellers certainly shouldn’t be home for showings, but as a seller’s agent, either should you. Lurking sellers or seller agents may make buyers nervous. Other real estate agents often want privacy with their buyers so they can gather true feedback about the house.
Source: “Six Common Mistakes That Home Sellers Make,” MSNBC.com (April 11, 2011)
Sellers have a better chance at getting their house sold by using a REALTOR® than opting for the do-it-yourself approach, according to a survey of 1,000 home owners by HomeGain.com, an online real estate resource. Nearly 60 percent of home owners who used a REALTOR® to sell their home were successful compared to 39 percent of FSBOs, the survey found.
In the survey, 83 percent of home owners said they used a REALTOR® to sell their home, whereas 17 percent said they tried to sell it themselves. This corresponds to results from NAR's 2010 Profile of Buyers & Sellers, which found 88 percent of sellers were assisted by a real estate agent. (Additionally, 83 percent of buyers bought their home through an agent.)
“It is especially striking that home owners fare significantly better in selling their homes using a REALTOR® than selling on their own,” says Louis Cammarosano, general manager at HomeGain. “Due to that relative success, the level of satisfaction in the home selling process is also higher for home sellers utilizing the services of a REALTOR® than those who try to sell their homes on their own.”
Among the findings in its For Sale by Owner vs. REALTOR® survey:
88 percent of home owners who sold their homes using a REALTOR® said they would use a REALTOR® again.
24 percent of FSBOs eventually contacted a REALTOR® to help sell their home.
Source: “HomeGain Survey Finds Home Sellers Fare 50% Better in Getting Their Homes Sold Using a REALTOR® Than Selling on Their Own,” HomeGain.com (Feb. 24, 2011)
It's easy to sell property. The hard part is selling real estate now. When there are more sellers than buyers, properties still sell. Staging your home is important, but not so important as some might lead you to believe. Advertising your property is critical and brochures can be beneficial. Ultimately, the most important factor is to get the home in the MLS and to price the home properly.
If a home is priced too high, few potential buyers will even see your house. After the home has sat on the market for a long time, buyers will expect a price drop even if the price has already dropped! For this reason it's important to price your home at a point where it will attract attention.
In a tough market like the services of a good Realtor are needed more than ever. Your agent should be a hard worker who has the temperament to guide you through the process. You agent should be your advocate, actively negotiating your best deal. Sometimes this means getting top dollar. But sometimes this means know what to trade-off to get what you really want from a deal.
Selling your home quickly.
Here are a few quick tips to sell your house quickly.
Choose a selling agent that cares about you and your situation.
Price it right. Price is the biggest differentiator in a tight market. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.
Put your house in order. Your property should be ready for the market before you begin showing it.
Be flexible about showings. Home selling is often disruptive to daily life. And it's a lot of work to have your house ready to show on the spur of the moment. But prospects that can't see your house won't buy your house. The more often your home is shown the greater your chances of selling the property.
Be ready for all offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable. Don't take offense at a ludicrous offer. Respond with a counter-offer to keep the ball moving.
In addition, Will Nesbitt has devised unique strategies to overcome the buyer's market and to sell your home quickly. Ask him how he can save you money and sell your home quickly at the same time!
Net Proceeds
To find out how much money you’ll net from your house, add up your closing costs and subtract them from the sale price of the house.
Closing Costs for Sellers
Mortgage payoff and outstanding interest
Prorations for real estate taxes
Prorations for utility bills, condo dues, and other items paid in arrears
Closing fees charged by closing specialist
Title policy fees
Home inspections
Attorney’s fees
Survey charge
Transfer tax or other government registration fees
Brokerage commission
Total
Good ole Fritz
Owning a pet, which six out of 10 U.S. households do, can be a problem for both sellers and practitioners seeking buyers.
Sellers with pets should do their best to eradicate pet odor. "Odor is the biggest obstacle,” says Trudy Severa, an associate with Long and Foster's North Hills office in Reston, Va. "Anyone who is sensitive or with allergies is going to be put off."
Pet hair is another turnoff for fussy people or those with allergies. A professional cleaning as well as frequent vacuuming can help.
It is also a good idea to remove the evidence of pet residents, including getting rid of dog doors, linoleum in unlikely places, even pet crates.
During showings it is smart to relocate pets because some potential buyers may find them objectionable, no matter how cute they are or where they are contained.
Source: Washington Times, Lisa Rauschart (12/03/2010)
Source: Redfin
