Browsing Category Sellers

Dealing with Home Buyers’ New Psychology

in Buyers Market statistics Sellers on

When we started, we were looking at new construction, and I had to tell them that whatever they wanted changed would have to be done by them, at their expense after closing, as the builders were not going to make any concessions or alterations. … That’s a difference that matters – both to actual sales numbers and perceived sales numbers – to the market’s collective psyche, if you will. See for yourself (PDF). Add to this the fact that the average Days on Market in May 2006 was 69 and the average Days on Market in May 2010 is 106 and the market rightfully feels slower.

…Many Sellers don’t want to “give their homes away” (hint: price your home to sell from Day One ) and many Buyers want to feel like they get a “deal” and many buyers have unreasonable expectations – resale homes are used homes; they are not new construction.

…They also are prepared to walk away if things don’t go their way – there will be another house that suits their needs and wants; five or six years ago, another house would come on the market, but it would probably have been more expensive.

Read More

Prepping to Sell a House in Charlottesville

in Charlottesville Sellers on

It’s Winter, the first week of December here in Charlottesville and I’m starting to get the e-mails and the queries from people who are thinking about putting their houses on the market in Spring. Now, in my mind, the Spring real estate market really starts now and ramps up late January, early February and March is high time in the Charlottesville area match day when the medical residents find out where they’re going to be.  It is a huge component of our market. Now is the time to start thinking about it.   – Start looking at what your mortgage payoff may be. – Start looking at the projects that you’ve meant to do for the last few years that if you’re going to be selling your house in the Spring really need to be done.   – Houses need to be in the closest state of perfection as possible in this market because it’s going to become super competitive come Spring.   So if you’re thinking about putting your house on the market in the Spring, start looking at how realtors are marketing homes. … But really it’s a time when you need good, sound, professional advice to help you develop a pricing strategy and a project strategy of things that will bring you the best return on your investment if you’re getting your house ready for the market.

Read More