Selling a home involves a strategic approach to ensure a successful and profitable transaction. At Listed Simply, we've facilitated thousands of home sales, and we believe that focusing on three crucial elements can make all the difference:
Price the Home Fairly:
Pricing your home appropriately is paramount. It's a common challenge as sellers often perceive their property's value higher due to personal attachments and the effort invested. To overcome this, check out our free comparable sales and valuation reports. Professional appraisals can also provide an impartial assessment. Pricing too high may deter offers and end up with lenghtly days on market, ultimitely reducing your price and accepting a lower offer. Pricing too low can draw in lots of activity and trigger a bidding war which should up the price of your ptoperty to what is more or less the market value. It's essential to prioritize written offers over website views for an accurate gauge of pricing adequacy.
Agent Influence:
Be cautious of agents promising higher prices to secure listings. This tactic, known as "buying a listing," often results in a prolonged market presence, leading to eventual price reductions. A hot market doesn't necessarily justify an inflated price; strategic pricing is key.
Offer a Fair Commission to Buyer Agents on the MLS:
The commission offered to buyer agents significantly influences their preference for showing your home. While a typical commission is around 2.5%, lower-value homes may attract a 3% commission. Since approximately 94% of buyers use agents, a fair commission is crucial for agent cooperation. Although unethical, agents are more likely to direct buyers towards homes offering competitive commissions and steer their buyers away from listings with low commissions such as 1%. After paying a portion of their commission to their broker, errors and omissions insurance and other transaction related costs, agents end up with much less that what is offered in the MLS.
Invest in Professional Photos:
Did you know that 92% of homebuyers (according to realtor.org) use the Internet as part of their home search? 97% of home listings are viewed online. Homes with professional photos are more likely to sell faster than those without professional photos. The reason for this is because homebuyers decide whether they want to see your home in-person based off the quality of the photos. Buyers move quickly on homes they are interested in to beat the competition.
First impressions count. A high quality photo is what will pique a buyer’s interest to take the next step to submit a showing request faster. This will speed up the home selling process and can shorten the number of days your home is on the market.
Customer Service: A Vital Component
In addition to these critical factors, excellent customer service is essential for a smooth selling experience. At Listed Simply, we prioritize accessibility by offering phone support six days a week, text assistance seven days a week, and a dedicated 24/7 help portal with a vast knowledge base. Real estate transactions demand timely responses, and our commitment to providing various communication channels reflects our dedication to meeting your needs efficiently.
By focusing on fair pricing, commission strategy, professional photography, and reliable customer service, you can significantly enhance your home-selling journey. At Listed Simply, we're here to support you at every step, ensuring a successful and stress-free selling process.