Amid the swelling inventory of homes available for sale- if a home hasn’t sold in the first 21 days, the seller’s prime opportunity to get their pricing has passed.

As a rule after the first 21 days, the seller had many showings, but no offers, the price is probably within 5 percent of the market. If after the 21 days there are few or no showings, the price is most likely at least 10 percent  or more over market.

Most buyers will offer 5 percent under the asking price without offending the seller, but very few will offer 10 percent or more under the asking price. Buyers and their agents tend to forego looking at property 10 percent or more overpriced.

Pricing a property correctly is not a science…pricing is based on past sales usually within the last 3 months  (not ”Pending Sales”  or homes in escrow) true sales, condition, location and availability of similar homes. Supply and demand still applies.

An agent who  is familiar with the market isn’t enough, the agent has to be familiar with the micro area… the little details that every area has, along with the above information,  in order to properly price a home. Pricing a property to sell  may not be a science, it may not be an art,  it is a necessity in these challenging times.

Do you want to be on the market? Or IN the market… I vote for IN.

Happy Sales!

Susie Nancarrow

As a seller, your objective is making your home stand out as the best product available for the best price. If you’re priced right and not properly prepped,  your pricing may backfire. Buyers typically look at many homes either on the internet or in person, how do you make sure your home is memorable to the buyer?

Some or most of these suggestions may seem like common sense, but we tend to overlook the obvious, here we go:

• A fresh coat of paint on worn walls, provides a fresh clean look
• Painting the trim that may have become dingy or scuffed
• Hardware; switch out knobs and pulls in the kitchen, laundry room and baths. Update light fixtures, faucets, light switch plates
• Increase your light voltage to the lightest and brightest… this doesn’t go along with conservation I know…but it will make your home appear light and bright and it’s for a short time.
• This one may surprise you…Avoid plug in air fresheners, they make the home feel dirty and that odors are being disguised.
• Exterior is picked up, freshly painted or at least the locations that have heavy sun exposure, if your buyer just does a “drive by” and elects to pass on the property,  then the interior and all your preparation will go unseen.
• Clean the carpets, wash the windows, open all of your cabinets and wipe them down and clean them out.
• Spring is coming, finally plant flowering annuals in pots at the entrance and place a fresh door mat at the door. Wipe down the threshold and make sure the front door is “user friendly”…. ie: easy to open and operational.
• Lock up the dogs in crates or take them with you. Many people are afraid of dogs and our beloved pets can become a HUGE distraction.
• Clean out the garage
• A home that is cleaned out, up and fresh will make the buyer feel, the home has been taken care of and this will add dollars to your bottom line.

Happy Home Selling….Susie Nancarrow,  ‘Just Good Real Estate’.

Whatever the market is doing, my job is to get my clients (sellers) top dollar for their homes. Believe it or not, this is possible in THIS market, provided we work together in getting the property ready for market.
Most sellers feel the home has been “good enough for them, so it should be good enough for the next person”…. Here are a few easy, economical tips in prepping your property for sale.
*Clear Clutter. Clutter eats equity, clear off counters, tables, paperwork and excess “things”.
*Clean Everything. Hire a professional cleaning crew to scour from top to bottom including the outside, sidewalks, decks, patio, porches and yards.
*Color. Light colors make a room look larger, dark smaller. Save the “color” for accents, use light beige on walls, white on crown molding and beige carpets… don’t use more than three colors.
Staging is another option, I have many referrals if you prefer to pay for someone to do this for you…. but just the basics work just fine Clear, clean with light neutral color!
San Diego is an incredible place to live and people are relocating to San Diego…let’s make sure your home is their top choice and PURCHASE~

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