Love to Live in Maplewood/South Orange: October 2016

THE BEST STRATEGY TO SELL YOUR HOUSE FAST AND FOR THE MOST $

If you are considering selling your home and you want to sell it quickly, the best strategy is to hire an top rated listing agent who is experienced and demonstrates knowledge of your market area. It is important that you do not fall for gimmicks, including various companies that will take the home off your hands for next to nothing. Rest assured that you have options and that there are strategies to sell your house quickly without giving up value. Most of us aren't capable of fixing our own cars or treating our own medical issues, we seek out proven professionals, well the same should apply to one of your biggest assets--your property--if you truly want to get the most for your money or sell for the terms that best apply to your situation.

I'm proud to say that I have either sold or accepted offers on some of my most recent listings that got my sellers as little as 10% above asking to as much as 13% over ask, as the expression goes, and on the first weekend. While not every listing sells for as much or as quickly, we have consistently made a habit of out performing the agents doing business in the same overall territories. If you want to get a glimpse of how we do it, CLICK HERE.

So why are Homeowners are sometimes talked into selling their homes on their own by uneducated--in a real estate way--friends? Because they are ill advised in thinking that bypassing the process of hiring a listing agent or a broker will save them time and money. But in reality, it’s the opposite. Statistics show that the typical FSBO home sold for $210,000 compared to $249,000 for agent-assisted home sales, according to the NAR. That difference represents 18.5% more in a seller's pocket! The reasons are clear, you don't get nearly as much of the online exposure as needed in an age when buyers are doing so much of their advanced home scouting online and you are also somewhat disconnected from the thousand's of local agents that have the knowhow and expertise to help manage a transaction from is inception to its closing. I hosted an open house this weekend and has a total of 33 sets of visitors, more than half were buyers who came to check out the home and who weren't working with an agent yet, meaning they were still in the earlier stages of their search. However, three of these buyers have advised they will be putting in an offer on the property.

So, if you want to sell your house fast and for the highest price possible, here are a number of useful tips:

•Find the listing agent with the most experience selling homes in your area. Zillow has a database of the top agents throughout the country. They only work with the best and their stats are listed on their profile page.

•Connect with your listing agent of choice and let them know you want to sell your house and want to discuss your options. You can contact the agent directly through their profile page on zillow.com to match you with the agent that has the best track record of listing and selling homes in your area. Another tip is to contact an agent that appeals to you even if they are not as prolific in your area, to have them help you find the best choice agents in your area.

•Research the home prices in your area so that you are well informed on what your home is worth well before you list it for sale. It’s a good idea to check out some Open Houses to see with your own eyes what agents do and how prices equate to the value of location and condition. Your agent will recommend a listing price and if your goal is to sell your house quickly, it may be lower than it would be otherwise. Make sure you’re informed and then listen to your agent and lean on their industry knowledge and expertise. Keep in mind that holding back on relevant information you may have is putting your agent at a disadvantage.

•Hiring a listing agent will, in fact, save you time and money. A listing agent is knowledgeable and can act quickly. They are familiar with your market area and can help evaluate your home. They will make sure you get professional pictures and video and, when necessary, get the additional professionals involved, such as stagers, appraisers, attorneys and even repairmen where needed.

•Top Agents often may have a pool of qualified buyers they are working with who are interested in purchasing a home in your neighborhood, which can further speed up the process of selling your home for the highest price or fastest time as nothing stokes the fires better than creating a multiple offer scenario on your property when selling.

•Not to be redundant, your listing agent will advise you on how best to stage your home, which can make another 7% difference in your pocketbook. Keep in mind that today's buyers are so guided by HGTV and looking for homes that have the look and feel in their favorite shows. Your home may be beautifully decorated but it may not be considered by the vast majority of HGTV minded buyers out there and this could adversely affect your results.

•Holding Open Houses helps to more easily manage the property for preparedness, increases availability, and funnels activity and the excitement to get your property sold quickly.

•Like everything, there is a good amount of paperwork required that you will not be familiar with. Good agents know best how to guide you through this process, which nowadays, is often completed digitally for added convenience.

Another important aspect of selling your home fast is how it is presented to the potential homebuyer. Here is a short list of what to keep in mind when preparing your home for a fast and easy sale:

•Enhance curb appeal – tidy up the outside of your home and lawn so that it’s appealing to buyers at first glance.

•Make it welcoming – add a welcome home doormat and some potted plants at either side of the entrance for color and to start connecting emotionally with buyers.

•Keep the entrance and the hallways neat and free of clutter.

•Keep it clean – clear all the clutter and get it sparkling clean and smelling good. You want potential buyers to see themselves in the home as soon as they walk in.

•Upgrade but don’t overdo it – you may have to undergo some necessary repairs and upgrades, but don’t overdo it. Your agent should be able to provide advice on what "investments" will actually give you ROI-Return on (your) Investment. A good agent can often get you that much more for your property by making a few simple changes.

•Magic erasers can often help you avoid costly repainting and there are other tricks I like to share with my listing clients.

•Listen to your experienced listing agent – he or she knows what need to be done to sell a home fast, so listen to their advice and instructions.

•Last, but not least: let's say your friend or relative is a newer Realtor, which could mean they don't have the experience and know how to help you best achieve your goals? Well, ask them to either partner with a Zillow Top Agent or get involved by having your agent pay them a referral and make it a provision they be allowed to shadow and learn from the more experienced professional.

If you have any questions, please feel free to call me at 917-797-5059 or email me at sladehomes@gmail.com

Mark Slade
Keller Williams
917.797.5059
Good Homes

Selling a Maplewood/South Orange/Millburn/Short Hills area home involves many steps and having an experienced Maplewood New Jersey Real Estate Agent and Realtor®, specializing in the Bedroom Communities of New York City in Essex/Union County— Millburn, Short Hills, Montclair, West Orange, South Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Springfield, Summit, Madison, Chatham, Scotch Plains, Fanwood, Cranford and Westfield--by your side will make the transaction run a lot smoother. I would love to be your Maplewood/South Orange New Jersey Area Real Estate Professional! I assist both buyers and sellers in the Bedroom Communities of New York City, mostly served by NJ Transit’s Mid-Town Direct Train Lines, offering commutes of 45minute or less to NY Penn Station, with either the purchase and or sale of residential real estate.

As an Accredited Buyer’s Agent (ABR), I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying process. From start to finish, I listen to your needs and desires in what you would like and take the information you give me to find you home. My GO-TO team can provide you the best in Real Estate advice with regard to attorney choices, Home Inspectors and Mortgage Loan Officers

I am also a Luxury specialist (CLHMS), I have received special training to guide and educate you through the entire home buying and selling process. Not only does this extra training help me better understand this upper echelon in real estate, its benefit include a special luxury website: www.njluxhomes.com and a corresponding worldwide luxury network that helps to put luxury buyers and sellers together.

As your Premier New Jersey listing agent I am well versed on as your local expert in all things in the Northern NJ area real estate market. You can expect personalized service that includes a detailed consultation on how to best position your home to be competitive in today’s market with training to provide my clients with an in-depth Advanced Comparative Market analysis and advice on staging. As my office’s technology officer as well as both a Zillow Platinum Premier and Trulia Premier agent, I use the latest and most up-to-date marketing methods to get your home in front of as many buyers as possible. Being your New Jersey Real Estate Agent and Realtor ® not only involves just finding the home or selling the home, but being your guide, negotiator, advisor and advocate and making sure that your needs and goals are met. Getting you the desired RESULTS is one of my truest passions, and “Helping You Find Your Dream Home” is my number one priority.

Don’t forget These Helpful Sites:

For Open Houses:
www.maplewoodnjopenhouses.com
and
www.southorangenjopenhouses.com

For Homes For Sale:
www.latestmaplewoodhomes.com
and
www.latestsouthorangehomes.com
Mark Slade