What You Must Know to Sell in 2010
The Houston homes market is healthy, but it's not the same market you remember.
Do you have a plan to sell for top dollar in the 2010 real estate market?
If your answer--or more importantly, if your Realtor's answer--is a basic MLS listing and an open house schedule...then you may consider remodeling instead of selling. Buyer perspectives have evolved, builder advertising has improved, and competition in your neighborhood has likely grown. The prerequisite for selling in 2010 is simple: acceptance.
- Sophisticated marketing is required to get buyers in the door.
- Your home must be in ideal "showing" condition when buyers arrive.
- Initial offers on your home will likely be offensive.
- The only marketing presence that matters for resale homes is online.
You must accept that...
Notice the above list does not include anything about a lower price. Of course some neighborhoods have fallen in value, but in most of Houston prices are stable, buyers are active, and appraisals are reasonable. You can get top dollar, but to do so requires excellent presentation--both in-home and online. To sell for top dollar you'll have to pay a professional marketing firm to perform on your behalf.
Real estate marketing in 2010 takes on many, many forms. MLS, major home search sites, micro-market sites, blogs, social media, virtual tours, video tours, podcast syndication, email campaigns, and the traditional flyers, open house signs, and word-of-mouth. If buyers are more savvy and active behind the keyboard...shouldn't your marketing follow suit? We think so, and that just may be why we've kept our average time to sell a listing below 30 days since January of 2009.
Schedule a listing presentation for a personal interview and discussion of your selling goals, our marketing approach, and a plan to sell your home successfully.