Some of the most important decisions are made before your home ever hits the market.
Many sellers think the selling process begins when the photos are taken, the sign goes in the yard and the listing appears online.
In reality, a successful sale often begins weeks before that happens.
Before I bring a home to market, I’m looking at it through the eyes of a potential buyer. What needs attention? What should be cleaned, decluttered or repaired? What is worth spending money on — and just as importantly, what isn’t?
Then there’s pricing. It’s not simply about looking at what the neighbor sold for six months ago. We need to consider what has sold recently, what is currently competing with your home, how buyers are responding to those properties and where your home fits in today’s market.
There can also be issues that are much easier to address before a buyer is involved — permits, association requirements, property condition, insurance concerns, furnishings or other details that could potentially become an obstacle later in the transaction.
And finally, there’s presentation. I believe a home should be ready before it goes live. Your first days on the market are important, and you only get one opportunity to make that first impression with buyers and their agents.
After 23 years in real estate — including 13 years specializing in Foxfire Golf & Country Club — I’ve learned that sometimes the best advice I can give a seller is what not to do. Not every improvement will increase your sale price, and not every dollar spent preparing a home will come back to you.
That’s why I encourage homeowners to talk with me before they start making changes or spending money in preparation for a sale.
My job isn’t simply to list your home. It’s to help you prepare it, position it and protect your interests from the day we begin until the day you close.
Thinking about selling?
If selling is somewhere on your horizon — whether it’s next month or several months from now — I’m always happy to walk through your home with you and help you determine what makes sense to do, what can wait, and where your time and money will have the greatest impact.
A little planning before the sign goes up can make a very big difference when it’s time to sell.
