Vancouver Realtor

    

  Sellers:

•      Take Advantage of the Buyers' Market               
Falling interest rates, available financing and a wide inventory of homes make for the ideal buyers' market. But what does that mean for the seller? A buyers' market can be good news for the seller too, if he or she knows how to respond to the competition for buyers. Most sellers will discover that with careful planning and attention to details, they will find themselves in as attractive a position as the buyer.
• Sellers wanting to attract serious buyers must begin by pricing their home in the right ball park. An overpriced house will discourage buyers from even looking at your home. And if they don't look, there's no opportunity to even discuss negotiating the price.
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FAIR MARKET PRICE

To determine a fair market price, meet with a real estate professional. A REALTOR can show you listings of comparable houses in the area that have sold in recent months. This will help you define a price range from which you can determine an initial asking price (probably high in the range) and a bottom line price (the least amount you're willing to accept). Remember, however, that the lower the house is priced, the more traffic you'll have to contend with. In a buyers' market, you will need to weigh the pros and cons of a higher price against more potential buyers. A REALTOR can assist you in reaching a conclusion that works best for you.
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SPRUCE-UP BEFORE SELLING

• Once you have decided on a listing price, make your house attractive to prospective buyers. A few cosmetic touch-ups, such as interior painting, can go a long way towards attracting buyers. Plant flowers in the front yard, clean out closets and fix those little things you've been meaning to do all year.
• Have a REALTOR walk through your home with you to suggest changes and improvements. A stranger's eye is going to notice things that you're likely to overlook. Focus on the kitchen and bathrooms -- these are important to most buyers.
• Once the house is listed, make an effort to keep it clean and tidy at all times. Buyers expect, and generally enjoy, decorating a home to their taste, But buyers don't want to have to do heavy cleaning.
• Make the house readily available to potential buyers. Some REALTORS recommend putting an electronic keybox on the front door which allows them to enter when you're not at home. Most sellers find it impossible to restrict their lifestyle to ensure that someone is always available to let the REALTOR in to show a home. Also, most potential buyers are more comfortable viewing a home when the vendors are not present.
• Once offers start rolling in, the negotiations start. It's critical that you have a real estate professional assisting you at this stage. After all, only a REALTOR is qualified to handle the most important financial transaction of your life.