If you’ve been waiting to sell your Jacksonville area home, here’s some good news on the real estate front. The Florida Association of REALTORS reported that existing home sales were up 10% from February to March of this year. That increase, along with Jacksonville’s ranking by Forbes as the 9th Best City to Buy a Home and 26th Best City for Jobs in 2008, makes this a good time to put your house on the market and buy a brand new, beautifully designed JDB Home.
Of course, the decision to sell your home is a complicated one that requires a lot of preparation and decision-making, so below are 7 tips guaranteed to help you prepare your home to sell. Keep in mind that price, condition, competition, and access are factors that can mean the difference between a speedy sale and no sale at all.
- Price. Real estate agents emphasize the importance of pricing your home “to sell,” which means at the market price, not a higher speculative price that you merely hope to receive. Market-level pricing is especially important when the supply of comparable for-sale homes in your area exceeds the demand to buy those homes.
- Condition. Homes that are in great shape typically sell more readily than comparable homes that are in need of repairs or that have out-dated décor. If you’re looking for a quick sale, clean out your clutter, pack up your personal items, neutralize any unusual colors and make any necessary repairs before you put your home on the market.
- Feedback. Some real estate agents will pass along feedback they’ve received from prospective buyers who’ve seen your home. A specific complaint from one or two individuals might not be material since no home will ever appeal to every buyer. However, a number of similar criticisms from multiple buyers might merit consideration.
- Competition. If you’re able to figure out why other homes on the market sold before yours did, you might be able to use that information to make your home more attractive to buyers. Tip: Open houses are a great way to check out other homes on the market in your neighborhood.
- Marketing. Don’t underestimate the importance of Web sites in selling your home. Ask your real estate agent for a list of Web sites on which information about your home will appear. Make sure the information is correct and presents the best features of your home. Photos are important too.
- Showings. Very few buyers will purchase a home they’ve never stepped inside, and some real estate agents will bypass a home that’s too difficult to show. If you severely limit the days and times when your home is accessible, you may also severely limit the number of people who might choose to buy it.
- Bonus. Real estate agents disagree on the wisdom of buy-side bonuses, which are extra payments or gifts that reward the agent who finds a buyer for your house. Some agents believe bonuses are effective while others suggest your money would be better spent in additional updates to your home. Ask your agent for advice.
JDB Homes is here to help you every step of the way with many professional realtor and home improvement contacts. Not to mention that if you act now, you may still qualify for a low, competitive interest rate before they rise again, plus you may be eligible for the new government $7,500 Tax Credit Call us today or visit any of our new homes or communities to let us know how we can help you own the home of your dreams!
