Real Estate Laundry » What to do if you really want to Sell your home

What to do if you really want to Sell your home

July 24th, 2007 categories: About Realtors, Columbus, Local Communities, Real Estate News, Real Estate Professionals

We all hear so much about the real estate market and how tough it is these days. Sure, there are markets susceptible to huge price swings and financially devastating market shifts, but folks Columbus, Ohio is not one of them.

In fact, things are pretty good here. It is true the wonderful Sellers’ market of recent years is not here, but the adjustment has been far more subtle than the media may portray.

Here are a few facts from the Columbus Board of Realtors comparing January-May 2007 to January-May 2006:

The total number of listings sold decreased by 5%
The number of new listings added to the market decreased by 4.9%
The average sale price decreased by .5%
The average days on market increased from 98 to 112

Clearly, these are manageable adjustments in any market and to be expected as real estate in any area is cyclical in nature. The biggest take away, however, lies in the change in days on market. It is taking significantly longer to sell homes in the Columbus area than it was a year ago, but homes are selling!

If you are considering selling your home there are some things you can do to help ensure your success. Here are a few tips:

Enlist the help of a Real Estate Professional – You need guidance, experience and market knowledge

Do not hire a Realtor based on suggested list price – Only a Buyer can determine the ultimate sale price of a home. Today, more than ever, you need the facts from an agent who knows the market and is not afraid to speak the truth. A timely sale may not yield the return it once did, but an attractive price may make all the difference. Your Realtor should give you the facts you need to make an informed decision about pricing.

Prepare your home for the market – The days of sticking a sign in the yard and selling easily for your desired price are gone. The market is competitive and you need to put your best foot forward. This may mean spending some money for paint, landscaping, flooring, repairs and other upgrades. Don’t put a sign in the yard until you are really ready to go, even if it takes a bit longer than you hoped. You only have one chance to make a first impression.

Know your true motivation level (and share it with your Realtor!) – This is probably not the best time to sell if you are just curious about the prospect. Be committed to the process and understand you may have to be a bit more aggressive on pricing and concessions. The good news is you stand to see better values on the Home Buying side if you are staying in the Columbus area.

The bottom line here is that Columbus, Ohio is a great place to live and people know it. The market is always in flux and it is a bit stingier today than in the past. Do not believe, however, that now is a bad time to consider a move. Get a good Realtor, get the facts, and get moving!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 24th, 2007 at 3:08 pm and is filed under About Realtors, Columbus, Local Communities, Real Estate News, Real Estate Professionals. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Westerville, Ohio - Home sales Statistics said at August 21st, 2007 at 3:09 pm
[…] 165 Homes sold in a 45 day period. Homes are definitely selling, with pricing and proper staging being more important than ever. […]
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words (but how many thousands of dollars?) said at September 17th, 2007 at 2:46 pm
[…] Related reads: What to do if you really want to sell your home […]
Columbus, Ohio Housing Market Ranked 3rd Most Stable in US! said at October 9th, 2007 at 10:36 am
[…] As I have stated in past posts, it is a great time to buy and sell homes. Sure, the Buyers may have the upper hand at the moment, but Sellers are meeting with success when homes are priced and staged properly. If you have been considering a move, don’t let the media keep you from doing so. Get good information, from a professional and make your decision based on the facts. […]
What is Your Home Worth in Today’s Market? said at November 5th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
[…] Related must reads: Photos to Sell Your Home, Do You Really Want to Sell? add to: […]