Busted! Don’t Believe These Home Selling Myths!
If this is your first time selling your home, you’ve probably received your share of expert advice from family and friends on real estate transactions. After all, it’s common to hear myths and tall tales about the real estate market or the selling process.
However, believing everything you hear can lead to bad decisions that ultimately cost you money in the long run. That’s why the expert Christine Bouley of Coldwell Banker Town & Country R.E. wants to reveal the truth and arm you with the proper knowledge so that you’re equipped to make the right choices for your family and financial future.
To help you distinguish fact from fiction, she has debunked three of the most widely believed myths about home selling.
Myth 1: Fall and winter are bad seasons to sell a house
Not true! Actually, fall and winter are aggressive times to put your house on the market, and it will most likely pay off in a big way. Why? This myth is so common that many people decide to “wait until spring,” which creates demand! Demand drives higher prices; higher prices put more money in your pocket! Other than the possibility of dealing with inclement weather, the holiday season is one of the best times of the year to show your house. Why? Because you’ve most likely got the best home staging already done with your holiday decor and wonderful seasonal scents. You’re keeping the clean house anyway because of family and friend visits; just throw a few showings in there too!
Myth 2: “I should start at a higher price because I can always come down”
This strategy is not encouraged by real estate professionals. Personally, I enjoy working in the opposite direction! It pays to be at or just a hair below market price. Why? Because it WILL create immediate, strong interest from buyers. This potentially can lead to multiple offers, which drive up your actual sales price. Yes, savvy buyers expect there to be some ‘wiggle’ room, but that doesn’t mean you have to negotiate. Pricing a home correctly to sell means that you can also stick firm to that price. Being priced too high may also lead to a property being on the market for too many days. This lends to buyers asking, “What’s wrong with it” and the property gets stale. The last point is to keep in mind the longer that you are on the market; you are paying out additional utility, taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs!
Myth 3: Not using a REALTOR can save money
In the end, does it really save money? Possibly, yes. If you are prepared to gamble with the largest investment, you will most likely ever have. The number one reason to NOT For Sale By Owner (FSBO) your largest investment: To stay out of court! One of the biggest risks of FSBO is not having the experience or expertise to maneuver through all of the legal and regulatory requirements that come with selling a home. There are laws for disclosure documents, a myriad of mortgage products and stipulations that can impact you as the seller, knowing how to price property in the immediate market environment, the buyer pool is limited to you due to not having enough exposure or not having effective avenues of advertising, again all and each of these reasons do not maximize your dollar, and in most cases, cost you money, not save it!
If you’re looking to steer clear of more myths like these, reach out to Christine Bouley of Coldwell Banker Town & Country R.E. As one of the most reliable and trusted real estate agents in Altoona, my goal is to help sellers maximize their dollars by using innovative marketing and procuring the best buyer scenario possible. I understand the ins and outs of the real estate industry and can help you make the right decisions and save thousands of dollars down the road.
I provide services with respect to the sale, purchase, and lease of property and serve clients across Altoona, Tyrone, Hollidaysburg, Warriors Mark, Port Matilda, Williamsburg, East Freedom, Martinsburg, Bellwood, Tipton, Spruce Creek, Claysburg, Sinking Valley, and the surrounding areas.
For a complete list of my services, please click here. If you have any questions about the real estate industry, I’d love to hear from you, please contact me here.