You Need to Update in Order to Sell in This Market
Posted
by Tommy Pennington
on Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at 10:37pm.
Realtors in Southlake, Grapevine, Westlake, Colleyville, and other surrounding areas know what the Buyers are wanting when they come into these markets. Right now the Sellers need to know on average our homes are on the market 30% longer and if you want to sell you must have an updated home. Most of us use a company called Centralized Showing Service. This tool gives us the feedback we need often in order to sell homes. There will always be the items that none of us can change like the floor plan or the fact the home backs to the busy road. What you must do in this market is to update to what the Buyers expect. See this long detailed CSS Report where I have taken out the address to protect the Seller. Unfortunately the poor Sellers are stuck with these tasks. You need to prepare as a Seller in these markets that often people coming to this market have been living in homes that tend to be more updated with the items they expect. What are these items at a minimum? Well... I'm here to tell you. You have to know brass is out. At this point, I will be shocked when it comes back. You need either oil rubbed bronze fixtures or brush nickel to be competitive at this time. You will need to get rid of wallpaper if you have it. When you hire an agent you need to know we are here to help you. Please don't hire an agent that can't have some of these tough conversations. These two items will show up in the feedback time and time again. Please know granite is preferred over Corian from what I see. Hardwoods in homes over about 400,000 in most of our market are more desirable than tile. Granite tiles on the kitchen counter tops are not the same solid surface granite which is what the Buyers are expecting. Cultured marble is out in the more expensive homes. Start with the Master bathroom first if you are on a budget. We have the contacts to help you with all of these types of items. It is very important you work with an agent that knows what is expected in what areas and certain price points vs. other price points. You wouldn't replace floors in a hundred thousand dollar home with hand scraped hardwoods like you would in a 700,000. Work with an expert that will tell you. Do you really want to list with someone who is too scared to tell you the honest truth? If they don't tell you they are costing you time and money.
Tommy Pennington
Tommy Pennington Realty Group- Keller Williams, Southlake Texas
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