Real estate selling basics for Sarasota real estate

Staged homes sell faster and for more money. I have worked with many
buyers who get distracted by the seller's personal items. I've watched them
during their visit begin to wonder what kind of people live there, as opposed to
if that house is right for them. As much as I dislike some of the unrealistic real
estate programs on HGTV, their home staging and make-over programs are a
good illustration of how simple, inexpensive touches result in a much better
reaction from potential home buyers. Here are a few tips for preparing your
Sarasota condo or house for sale:

Clear the clutter. Keep all counters and tabletops clean. Remove notes
and pictures from the refrigerator and organize all bookshelves;
Update light bulbs to a higher wattage to fill your home with more light.
Add light fixtures or lamps to darker areas;
Camouflage outdated furniture or worn upholstery with slip covers, and
replace old towels and bedspreads;
Reposition furniture to allow easy flow and to clearly demonstrate the
function of each room;
Use neutral colors and decor to help your home appeal to the largest
buyer pool. Add color accents through pillows, throw rugs and candles;
Use light, airy window treatments and clean blinds and window sills;
Remove personal items from view in the restroom;
Although personal decor adds warmth to your home, avoid excess use
so the buyers see themselves in the home, not you;
Use accessories to highlight desirable features such as built-in
shelving or fireplaces;
Keep your outdoor space beautiful. Plant flowers and update patio
furniture to create an oasis.

Pricing your home correctly remains one of the most important aspects of
marketing your property. The real value, however, is not necessarily based on
what you paid for the property, nor what you may need to net from the sale.
Your home will sell in a range determined by the market. Whether your home
sells in the top of the range or towards the bottom depends on an aggressive
marketing strategy, staging, and accurate pricing.

Real estate portals such as Zillow misrepresent home values. I have done a
thorough analysis of Zillow's bias; read here how they misrepresent market
values for a local Sarasota neighborhood. Read here for another blog post
about taking on Zillow.

You may have already experienced a potential buyer armed with Zillow data,
falsely believing your home was overpriced. I am prepared to combat this by
producing an in-depth Comparative Market Analysis report for your property. I
also take on-market competition into account as well as recent price
reductions, expired listings, re-listings and interest rate conditions. My
experience will help determine how the presence or absence of certain unique
property features will impact the value to potential buyers.

This is old-school thinking. Many Realtors believe they should accompany
buyers and their agents on showings to highlight the desirable features of
your home. Furthermore, these Realtors believe they can overcome
objections and answer questions about the home and the area.

I happen to strongly disagree with this. Two Realtors in a home with a buyer
or buyers is overwhelming and is more than often a distraction. The buyer(s)
will withdraw and not provide feedback, or will limit the amount of time spent at
the property. I represent many home buyers in transactions, and it is the job of
the buyer's agent, not the listing agent, to help educate their client about an
area they are interested in.

I cannot tell you the number of times I have not shown a home that is what we
term "Lister Accompany" because, unbelievably, the listing agent couldn't (or
wouldn't) accommodate the time the buyer I was representing wanted to see
the property.

One of the most frustrating aspects of selling your home can be the feeling of
not knowing the results of marketing efforts. I understand the importance of
keeping you in the loop and updating you about buyer feedback after
showings.

You will be regularly informed about comparable properties, knowing what
units sell, which reduce prices, and new lisings. This will be critical to your
understanding of the local housing market and your property's pricing within
the available comparable inventory. Communication is also key once an offer
is on the table. I will involve you in all aspects of the negotiation and explain
available options clearly and candidly.

Once an offer comes in, how I handle both the offer and the entire negotiation
is important for getting the best terms for the sale of your Sarasota-area real
estate. I follow professional principles to help guide you through the
Sarasota real estate negotiation process to achieve your goals.

Confidentiality: My duty to the integrity of the deal;
Define Goals: I will help you stay focused on your goals and not get
distracted by all the moving parts in a transaction;
Responsiveness: In real estate, time is of the essence. I am timely
with presenting offers, counteroffers and acting quickly on any
opportunity;
Leverage: It is my job to recognize leverage and help you negotiate
from a position of strength;
Resourcefulness: I will creatively overcome objections and obstacles
Protection: I will make sure you are as protected as possible
throughout the home sale. I will notify you of high-risk contingencies,
upcoming performance dates and I will refer you to my professional
team with any issues of concern;
Aspects of the Offer: I will help you navigate all the aspects of the
offer. Some of the most common elements are: Price, Mortgage
Contingency, Inspection Contingency, Purchase and Sale Dates and
Closing Date.

My follow-through skills, organization and attention to detail will help your
Sarasota real estate transaction proceed smoothly and stay on track. A good
agent helps to smooth a difficult transaction, and some of my most important
work is done behind the scenes, between the time of an accepted offer and
closing. I am just as attentive in my post-contract efforts as I am in marketing
your home.

Getting an acceptable offer on your property is difficult enough in this
challenging market; losing a contract through poor management of
contincies is simply unacceptable. From making sure contingencies are met
on time to organizing appraisals and inspections, I stay on top of the game to
make sure nothing falls through the cracks.