When I speak with potential home sellers about putting their home up for sale, I encounter two very different points of view. The first seller thinks that this rocket market will be ending soon, and they want their house sold right now! No fooling around, get my home closed! The other point of view disagrees and says the market will probably double before it runs out of gas. So, which future is it going to be?
The first seller wants me to help them sell immediately, before the Montecito market softens. Any work to be done to help raise the price must be quick and affordable. It is not my job to determine the future; It is my job to do what the seller wants. If the second seller is convinced the market is in an extended climb, they feel anything we consider doing to improve the home is worth the time and expense to prepare the home for marketing. This seller feels like there is a lot of time and the pursuit of further profits is warranted. Again, it is my job to know what to do to give the seller what they want.
Let’s talk fees. If the sale is to be made quickly, without an emphasis on fixing up and preparing the home, I’m willing to adjust my fees accordingly. If the seller wants me to help organize and facilitate fixing up the property to raise the price, the cost is my normal fee.
Montecito Market Report
A seller I recently helped was concerned that they could miss the market, so we only arranged for house cleaning and a bit of packing things into the garage. As it was less effort to prepare, my commission was reduced. We were on the market within days and after a week, the home went into escrow for over full price. Everyone was happy with the outcome.
In May a seller decided to sell a rental home that had been tenant occupied for over 10 years. It needed more than just a cleaning! The seller had time to rework the home and they hired me at my normal fee to prepare it for sale. We replaced the kitchen, roof, and flooring, plus the bathrooms were updated. The house was painted, and re – landscaped. About $150,000 and 2½ months was spent on this project, and the price was raised by $600,000. Both the improvements and the passing of time brought big profits for the seller.
How do you view the market? What would work best for you? Most Realtors have their normal way of doing things and only offer the first option of getting a home quickly and efficiently onto the market. Only 2 percent of local Realtors offer the second option. It is important that your Realtor has the knowledge and ability to offer you choices based upon what you think will best benefit your home’s sale.
If you want to discuss the difference between an adjusted fee and a quick sale, or a normal fee and a sale calculated to increase your home’s value, please call me for an appointment. With my help, you will get exactly what you want.
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