If You Think All Listings Are Created Equal…

There is no doubt that buyers of all levels are seeking properties great and small. With this type of demand, you may be wondering if the effort your agent puts into selling your home really matters…I mean, aren’t all listings created equal? You put away your knick-knacks, have a few photos taken, post it on Zillow/Redfin/Trulia and the home is sold, right?! NOT. Not only is that our biggest nightmare – it should be yours too! More than the listing price, the process, the marketing, the negotiation and the transaction management can make or break your bottom line.

Here are our top 6 reasons why NOT all listings are created equal, and how to make sure your agent sets your home apart – to benefit you!

#1: The property preparation. You probably know you are supposed to de-personalize your home and take down those wedding pictures – but what about the rest? A helpful and experienced listing agent team (**insert raised hands**) should openly advise you on any needed minor improvements that could create a major impact, as well as help you seek resources to move, pack and store any belongings in the interim.

#2: The staging. *Professional stagers report that staged homes sell in 11 days or less and for an average of 17% more! 96% of Realtors® agree that staging impacts their buyers’ perception of the home and their ability to see their lifestyle in it. Most agents offer several levels of staging and can recommend one that best benefits your home and its best prospective buyers.

#3: The tick-tock of the listing clock! Timing is of the essence, so rather than simply following a calendar, your agent should build your own listing clock. More than simply the season, considerations might include the best day/time to list your home, the current and projected market conditions, the status of recent or upcoming comps and more.

#4: The buyer experience. It might sound funny to say – but selling your home is less about you and more about the next owner. How the home is presented, the hours of the open houses, the way questions are answered and tours are given – these are all parts of the purchase process that begin before your buyer is in contract and even before they walk in the door. The type of photographer, videographer, website, online presence and total sales cycle of your home says even more about it than the specs on MLS.

#5: The ‘right’ attention. You know how in Hollywood, celebrities wear a super wacky outfit to get a whole lot of opinions. Good news – this isn’t Hollywood! The attention your home receives should be extracted from the greater buyer pool into the proper audience for your home. Most of us have tricks up our sleeves, or just some solid strategies, to get your home in front of the most tantalizing target audience that has your buyer in it.

#6: The ethics. While most homes don’t have any skeletons in the closet (if they do – that’s a whole other story!), most have some stories to tell and some details to be disclosed. It’s not only the law – but the proper dissemination and communication of information sets the stage for how the relationships will be managed and how all parties involved will be treated. We have a saying when things get sketchy…’You can’t make a good deal with a bad guy/girl’. The best deal for your home will happen when everyone is treated as they deserve to be – and any agent who condones otherwise is probably not your best representative and advocate. Besides, you don’t want that karma following you as you become a buyer for your next place!

While every agent loves a great success story, we hope you find one (or two!) that measure success by your outcome and experience, not theirs. This is your home and your story – your final chapter shouldn’t read like everyone else’s! (And your return on investment should create a very happy new beginning in your next home sweet home).

Mark & Jason

team@homesofsv.com

408-596-5526

*Data above courtesy of StagedHomes.com & Realtor.org