I was studying the market this morning to see what activity went on over the weekend in our neighborhood homes. What has sold, what is new, what is not so new, etc. I particularly like to look at the homes that aren't selling. These homes are usually on the market in excess of 6 months or a year. Typically the seller thinks it's the Realtor's fault the home hasn't sold so they move on to Realtor #2 and sometimes even Realtor #3. The reason Realtor #2 or #3 are successful is because by then several things that should have been done the first go round have probably now taken place.
- the price is no longer over inflated and is at fair market value (MOST IMPORTANT)
- the updates and or repairs that were needed have been done
- professional staging may have occured
- professional photos and or videos have been taken
- blogging and intense internet exposure have taken place
- Networking the property is so often overlooked and is vital to a successful sale.
If Realtor #1 may have suggested the above items but somehow either did not convey the importance to the seller or did not see the importance themselves and therefore dropped the ball. There are critiacal steps that need to be taken by both the Realtor and the Seller before the home hits the market. All marketing should be in place and ready to rock and roll at time of insersion into MLS.
Your home photos are so important. I can't stress this enough. The photos are the first thing a prospective buyer will see when considering purshasing your home. One of the listings that was taken off the market over the weekend was a beautiful $500,000 home. This home should have been showcased at it finest moments yet, the photos were not of professional quality. Example is the foyer photo should have been showcased as the grand entrance that it is, yet, it wasn't. In the background you can see people sitting at the table in the kitchen. This totally took away from the image. In another room, a beautiful game room, a vacuum! The laundry room had a detergent bottle on the floor next to the washer. The family room has cathedral ceilings yet they are not photographed. The bedroom photos... ugh, rooms were captured 1/2 at a time.
If your Realtor is not a photographer and does not suggest using a professional photographer STOP and do not even move forward. This is the first sign that they are not going to do a adequate job of showcasing and marketing your home.
There are many steps to market a property correctly. Photos are the FIRST step.
Consultations are free at Turning Key Realty. Give us a call and see what makes us different from the rest. You'll be glad you did. 716-688-4900
