Selling Your Home
What's Next?
You've decided to sell your home. Simply contact Will Layton to "get the ball rolling". I will come to your home at your convenience in order to view your home and talk with you in person.
I want to personally see your home before preparing a report in order to come up with an accurate listing price on your property. This customized report is referred to as a "comparative market analysis" (CMA).
My service goes well beyond what is expected. I will also consult with you and advise on how to best prepare your house for sale in order to maximize the price your receive. Our goal is to obtain the highest dollar amount and best terms possible for you.
When you have decided to go forward, we will review the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) agreemen, so that everything is understood. The MLS agreement is completed with the greatest of care and accuracy to ensure that your home is represented in the best and truest light. When you list with me, there is no additional cost to you to list on the MLS system.
What Is The MLS?
The MLS service is a very powerful and efficient real estate selling system that markets your home to other licensed real estate agents. The combination of our marketing along with listing your home on the MLS system will enable your home to obtain the greatest exposure possible.
There are approximately 8,000 agents in Hampton Roads who can access the MLS system and bring potential buyers in to view your property when it is listed with us. All agents, in addition to those at Wainwright Real Estate, can negotiate a sales transaction on your home, while I represent you.
Selling Mistakes To Avoid
Pricing Incorrectly (too high or too low) - Make sure you determine the market value of your home correctly. If your asking price is significantly higher than what the market is currently bearing, many potential buyers looking for your style of home will view similar but lower priced homes first. Not only does this limit the pool of potential buyers but it also increases the chances that your home will sell for less than its actual value. This is due to the "discount" often associated with properties that have been on the market for a longer than average time. Buyers are often overheard asking their Agent... "What's wrong with that home? It's been for sale forever". Alternatively, if your asking price is too low, you are literally giving away your hard-earned equity just because you did not know what the market would bear.
Failing to "showcase" your home - A little work can improve the first impression of your home a thousand-fold. First impressions are lasting impressions and can dramatically affect a property's perceived value.
Mistaking a Bank's appraisal or a new Tax Assessment as your home's actual market value - These processes are based on general guidelines such as lot size and square footage, not the specific qualities and improvements of your home. Using either of these as a baseline could cause you to over-price or under-price your property. It requires detailed background knowledge of all recent neighbourhood sales as well as homes currently for sale in order to estimate value accurately. Ask your realtor for a detailed market evaluation.
Choosing the right agent for all of the right reasons - It is critical that you have full confidence in your realtor's experience and abilities. You want a realtor who can explain the whole selling process to you, has a good feel for the market, has access to potential buyers and offers sound advice on how to improve your chances of selling. Try to avoid choosing an agent on the basis of which one gives the highest estimate of your home's value. In order to achieve the best sale price within a reasonable period of time you need an accurate indication of what the true market value of your property is. Knowing this allows you to properly price your home, thus maximizing your chances of selling and allowing you to make your future plans with the sure knowledge that your goals can be attained.
Failing to take current market conditions/trends into account - Is it a Buyer's market, a Seller's market, a Balanced market? What do future trends look like? Ask your agent for a full analysis.
Not taking advantage of market fluctuations - The Big Picture... Moving up in a market downturn? If your $300,000 home has dropped 10% in value, so has your $500,000 dream home. Yes, you lose $30,000 on your current home, but you save $50,000 on your next purchase! Always keep in mind the big picture.
Using "hard sell" during showings - No one likes being pressured. As well, buyers might wonder why you are so anxious to sell. Let your home speak for itself.
When you want to sell your home for the highest price, in the shortest time, and with the fewest complications, call Will Layton and Wainwright Real Estate.
