In Denver, the scales of supply and demand are tipping slightly back toward sellers. Numerous buyers and their agents are pounding the pavement in search of good properties. Right now, there just isn’t enough inventory to meet the demand – a healthy turn of events for our market place. As I have mentioned in my previous blog, there are several reasons to believe that Denver has hit bottom and is in recovery. Buyers are, once again, paying good prices for good property rather than simply looking for distressed homes and distressed sellers.
So, if you’ve been thinking about selling your home, now may be the best time to attract eager buyers who are taking advantage of exceptional interest rates. Here are several suggestions that can help you get top dollar for your home in today’s market:
1) Pick the best agent for the job: Seems logical, right? But, there are a lot of brokers to choose from and most are not right for you. Make sure you hire someone with industry experience, who knows your area. This is not a job for amateurs or part-time agents. 10+ years in the business is a good benchmark. Interview 2-3 agents in your area. Ask to see a marketing plan and look for print, social and online marketing. Ask for a detailed market analysis of your home. Look for agents who spend the time to analyze the neighborhood and the characteristics of your home, quantifying the results in a clear/concise way. Avoid an agent who uses the “dartboard” method to pricing your home or who asks YOU to price your home.
2) The internet is “King”: 90 percent of buyers are online looking for homes. It is crucial to have a strong internet presence in order to be competitive in this market. High-resolution, professional photography, video and national/international website presence will help set you apart.
3) Price your home competitively: Regardless of supply/demand ratios, what attracts buyers most to a home is the “value” it represents. Be it a million dollar+, luxury home or a quaint, studio condominium. If your price meets the market, you will have the most success.
4) De-clutter and de-personalize your space: Buyers don’t have a lot of imagination. It’s is difficult for them to see past your furnishings, pictures, art and clutter. They need to be able to see themselves living in your home. To help them, you need to remove personal pictures and accessories and consider alternative furniture placement and additional staging, if necessary. Your agent should be able to help you with this.
5) Consider Cosmetic Touches: Remember the last time your purchased a home? What appealed to you and what turned you off? Most buyers do not want to burden themselves with updating/remodeling projects. They prefer the idea of moving right in and enjoying their new home. If you have paint, carpeting, fixtures, lighting that is dated, worn or broken, consider replacing these items. What can be a roadblock to a buyer, represents a small investment on your end that will bring about a faster sale.
6) Spring Cleaning: In Denver, Spring and early Summer are considered the best time to showcase your home. The flowers are blooming, the lawn is turning green again and the sun is shining. Kids are out of school and parents feel this is the best time to make a move. It’s important to capitalize on nature and help your home and garden really sparkle during this time. This might mean power washing the exterior and patios, a new paint job, and/or fresh flowers in pots and beds.
Last, but not least, patience is a virtue. Selling and buyer a home is an emotional process for most people. If you’ve done all of the right things, your home will sell and it will sell for the best price in the quickest amount of time. It’s crucial to have a true expert on your side to help you navigate the selling process – one who will advise you and handle the details so that you can focus on what’s most important to you – your family, your life and your future.