Establishing a reasonable and profitable listing price for a home is perhaps the greatest challenge for every home seller. Many factors must be considered before settling on a listing price. It is recommended that you take the following steps before setting an asking figure.

Ask for a CMA.  A competitive market analysis (CMA) will provide a list of recent sale prices of similar homes in the area (with comparable numbers of bedrooms, baths, square footage and lot size), the asking prices of homes currently for sale nearby and other important information. Prospective sellers should be provided with a professional estimation of a legitimate selling price.

Take the Emotion Out of It. A qualified sales associate will evaluate the location, condition and size of your home. A house in a secluded, exclusive area may appeal to some, while others will want to be closer to schools, shopping and health care facilities. What is the physical condition of your home? Is it a fixer-upper? Does it make a good first impression (the ever important curb appeal)? Will it appeal to a growing family, or is it better suited to empty nesters?

Determine If It Is a Buyers/Sellers Market. Real estate markets vary from neighborhood to neighborhood.  Home inventory, mortgage interest rates and the local economy play a role in determining whether the buyer or seller has a negotiating advantage. Interest rates remain at historically low levels and financing is available for those qualified, putting buyers in a good position to achieve homeownership.

Do the Math. Do not forget to figure in closing costs, legal fees and other selling expenses when determining the selling price. A qualified sales associate will provide cost estimates, and negotiate with a potential buyer to ensure a good sale price.

Give It the Once Over. There is one more step to ensure that the house sells for your price, or more. Do as much as possible to improve the home’s appearance: touch up the paint, fix leaks, seal any cracks, clean out the clutter, and eliminate pet odors. The house has only one chance to make a first impression.

In any market, one of the most effective ways to attract buyers is through an open house. Here are a few tips to help you maximize the open house experience.

Invite the neighbors.  Neighbors are a great way to help deliver open house attendees. They serve as champions for the neighborhood and can spread the word that your home is available.

Use signs to attract buyers. Signs are a sure way to lure prospective buyers to your home. I often place “Open House” signs at nearby, well-traveled intersections with directions to the home. I will know local ordinances about when and how long signs can be posted.

Offer fact sheets/brochures. I will provide prospective home buyers with information about the property and price. Effective take-aways include details about the property’s features, the neighborhood, proximity to shopping, main highways, schools and recreational facilities.  Photographs help buyers remember the house. Previous inspection reports and a list of home improvements, new appliances and/or fixtures are also helpful.

Maximize curb appeal. Ensure the outside of the home is as appealing as possible. Water and mow the lawn, trim the trees, cut back overgrowth and plant colorful flowers. Also, be sure to store bicycles, gardening equipment, children’s and pet toys, and remove the car from the driveway to provide parking. The front door should have a “welcome” feeling; a fresh coat of paint works wonders.

Neat and tidy sells. Potential buyers want to evaluate every room in the house, so you must create a positive experience for the potential buyer. Remove all clutter and make sure lights are working throughout the house. You may even consider baking cookies or burning candles to make the home smell pleasant – just don’t over-do a particular scent!

Let the sun shine in! Nothing improves atmosphere like a room filled with natural light.  Raise the blinds, open the curtains and wash the windows so the natural light can shine through.

For more helpful suggestions, or to learn how I can assist you in the sale of your property, please feel free to contact me.

Selling a home can be a stressful undertaking. Sellers normally have a strong belief in how much their home is worth, but securing the right offer is not always easy.  There are a number of things sellers can do to impress potential buyers and maximize the possibility of gaining the best deal.  I have identified several tips that allow sellers to differentiate their home from others on the market by making it look its very best and presenting it as a desirable place to live.

Focus on Curb Appeal: The outside of the house makes the first impression. If the “curb appeal” is strong, people will want to see what is inside. To improve a home’s appearance, water and mow the lawn, trim the trees, cut back overgrowth and plant some colorful flowers. Also, properly store bicycles, gardening equipment, and children’s toys. In addition, be sure the front door has a welcome feeling. A fresh coat of paint on the front door works wonders for a good first impression.

Remove the Clutter: Virtually all homebuyers are on the lookout for one thing – a clean, spacious home. Homebuyers tend to show less interest in an untidy home.  A dirty home will likely mean a lower selling price. The two most important rooms in a buyer’s mind are the kitchen and bathrooms. Make certain these rooms are sparkling clean and in good condition. In addition, avoid overflowing closets or displaying too many family collectibles.  Consider storing some furniture to open space in rooms. Buyers need to imagine themselves living in the home.  By neatly displaying and making all available space accessible, the seller affords the buyer a suitable opportunity to look towards the future.

Make those Necessary Repairs: Homebuyers will automatically expect all features in a home to operate safely and efficiently. If a buyer notices a number of problems, they may question whether the home has been cared for.  Any faulty or outdated electrical outlets and wiring, furnaces and water heaters, along with leaking roofs and other plumbing concerns, should be repaired prior to putting a house on the market.  Potential buyers may also react negatively to spot holes in window screens, broken windows and burned-out light bulbs.

Eliminate Odors: Make sure to take out the trash and empty ashtrays. Also be certain to bathe pets and clean drapes. It is important to ensure that the home smells nicely.   Fresh flowers and room fresheners also work wonders in creating a pleasant environment.

Work with your Sales Associate:  Being objective is hard.  So utilize your real estate sales professional to gain an even-handed appraisal of what improvements can and should be made. Sales associates have the experience and knowledge to help identify potential problem areas or to suggest necessary improvements that appeal to potential buyers.

The price of homes has been significantly impacted as the result of recent economic developments. Home prices have dropped considerably across most of the country. However, depending on location, this does not mean some sellers won’t get a reasonable price for their home. The sale may take longer than usual, but a little creativity can help them move a home without having to reduce the price too much. I offer the following suggestions for sellers who want to speed up the process.

Nip and tuck. If a repair is required, it is usually a good idea to go ahead and fix the problem. Potential buyers will cast an extremely critical eye over your home and in a situation where more houses are available on the market to choose from, they may take a pass on a home which requires too many repairs.

Offer a seller’s contribution. A seller can sweeten the deal by including assistance to the buyer in ways that do not require lowering the asking price. There are many traditional contributions a seller can offer. Examples include:

• Offer to pay a portion of the closing costs.

• Cover the buyer’s mortgage payments for up to the first six months. Depending upon the size of the mortgage the buyer can save several thousand dollars and the seller still obtains the original asking price for the home. Again, depending on the mortgage, the seller will get more for the home than if he or she dropped the asking price by $10-, $20- or $30,000.

• Many condos and houses across the country belong to home owners’ associations that require annual dues. Paying the first year’s fees could be a big incentive to a buyer.

• Offer a home warranty.  When sellers purchase a home warranty, they receive the added benefit of coverage during the listing period as well as the marketing value that comes with “warranty included” advertising.  A home warranty alleviates buyers’ concerns and enhances your home’s appeal.

Don’t worry. Remember, everyone needs a home and with level-headed negotiations and the help of a professional real estate sales associate, you will be able to sell your home for a reasonable price. Even with tougher economic conditions, it truly is a smart time to buy.

When you’re getting ready to sell your home, you want to make sure it looks as good as possible for potential buyers. Putting the effort in to staging your home typically reduces the time it spends on the market and increases the final sales price. Here are some house selling tips to get you ready to sell your house.

The seller of a condo or house is responsible for a number of costs at the time of closing in Massachusetts.