With January right around the corner it is time to start preparing to sell your home. While I recommend to my clients not to wait until January, many prefer to list their home after the holidays. The inventory tends to drop in December which makes December a great time to get your home on the market but if you really need to wait until January, you need to make your home is priced competitively, if not aggressively. The prices in San Diego County have come down significantly over the past few years and you want to get as much out of your home as possible. You may be tempted to list at a higher price than comparable properties and reduce the list price as needed. DON"T DO IT.
Most experts agree that the best way to increase the odds of a successful sale is to list your home at fair market value. Do not increase the list price to "leave room for negotiation". The bottom line is that if you list above fair market value, you will have no one to negotiate with! Here's why, when a new listing hits the market real estate agents are going to see it and see if it is a fit for their buyers. If it is listed too high you are immediately labeling your property as "over-priced" in their minds. This is a difficult stigma to overcome. They are going to remember this every time they see your property and are unlikely to suggest it to their buyers. Buyers have become very savvy with the internet. They are able to watch the market months ahead of actually searching for a home. They understand what homes are selling for and will know if your house is overpriced. With the flood of inventory, they are unlikely to consider an overpriced home. Neither the agents nor the buyers are going to want to view your home.
With no showings your listing is going to go cold quickly. The longer it sits on the market the less likely it is to sell. Buyer and agents have the ability to see how long the home has been on the market. When a home is on the market for quite awhile buyers start to think there must be something wrong with it if no one else has put in an offer. This now becomes another obstacle for you to overcome. Your home can start to be used to sell your competition. Agents will share your property listing to a property listed at market value and guess what, the completion just became a deal by comparison.
You are also setting yourself up to tougher negotiations. Buyer's who views your home are more likely to feel like they are doing you a favor by submitting an offer on a home no one else wants. Even if you reduce to a fair market value they will not offer as much since it has been on the market for so long. They will not offer as much as a new comparable property.
While your home languishes on the market over priced you are missing opportunities. Buyer's who would be interested at your home at fair market value are buying other homes. Buyer's who might be interested are not viewing your home if it is out of their price point. All the while prices are continuing to decline and you will be forced to chase the market or stay put. I am assuming you want to sell, otherwise why is your home on the market?
Did you know that even if a buyer is willing to pay over market value for your home they will not be able to unless it is a cash deal. Any purchase that involves the buyer using financing is going to require an appraisal and a lender will not lend more that the appraised value and 99.99% of buyer's will not pay over appraised value.
If you want to sell your home you need to make sure it is listed at fair market value. Make sure you look at the comparable properties that have sold in your neighborhood in the last 30-60 days. That's right 30-60 days. Do not think that since your neighbor sold a year ago you will be able to get that price. Do not think because you have new carpet or paint you will get more. You won't. The only advantage will be you will get showings and offers but not a significantly higher price.
If you are thinking of selling your home, call me. I would be happy to sit down with you and honestly assess what your home will sell for so you can make an informed decision. Do not fall for the unscrupulous agents who tell your home is worth 20% more than the comps. They want your listing and that is all. I want to get your home sold.
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