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For Sellers

4 Tips To Prep for Your Home Sale This Fall

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Even in a hot sellers’ market like today’s in which homes are selling so quickly, it’s still important to make a good first impression on potential buyers. Taking the time upfront to prep your house appropriately can bring in the greatest return on your investment.

Here are four simple tips to make sure you maximize the sale of your house this fall.

1. Price It Right

One of the first things buyers will notice is the price of your house. That’s why it’s important to price it right. Your goal in pricing your house is to draw attention from competing buyers and let bidding wars push the final sales price up. Pricing your house too high to begin with could put you at a disadvantage by discouraging buyers from making an offer.

Your trusted real estate advisor can help you find the price for your home that reflects the current market value. Lean on your agent to help you with this crucial first step.

2. Keep It Clean

It may sound simple, but keeping your house clean is key to making sure it gets the attention it deserves. As realtor.com says in the Home Selling Checklist:

“When selling your home, it’s important to keep everything tidy for buyers. . . . Remember to take special care with the bathroom, making sure the tile, counters, shower, and floors shine.”

Before each buyer visits, assess your space and determine what needs your attention. Wash the dishes, make the beds, and put away any toys. Doing these simple things can reduce any potential distractions for buyers.

3. Make It Easy To Visit

Giving buyers the opportunity to see your house on their schedule can be a true game-changer. Buyers are less likely to make an offer if it’s difficult to plan a tour or they can’t easily fit it into their schedule. Making your house available as often as possible helps create opportunities for more buyers to fall in love with your house.

Rest assured your trusted real estate advisor will keep your health and safety top of mind when buyers tour your home. Agents use the latest guidance to stay up to date on any protocols and sanitization recommendations.

4. Help Buyers Feel at Home

Finally, it’s important for buyers to see all the possible ways they can make your house their next home. As the realtor.com article puts it:

“The goal is to create a blank canvas on which buyers can project their own visions of living there, and loving it.”

An easy first step to create this blank canvas is removing personal items – pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings – from your space. If you’re unsure what should be packed away and what can stay, consult your trusted real estate advisor. Spending the time on this step can pay off in the long run, as the 2021 Profile of Home Staging from the National Association of Realtors notes:

“Eighteen percent of sellers’ agents said home staging increased the dollar value of a residence between 6% and 10%.”

Bottom Line

To make the most of today’s sellers’ market, avoid the temptation to skip over the essential preparation steps. Let’s connect today to discuss all the ways you can maximize your home sale.

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For Sellers

Why More Sellers Are Choosing To Move, Even with Today’s Rates

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It’s hard to let go of a 3% mortgage rate. There’s no question about it. It’s the main reason why so many homeowners have delayed their move in recent years. But here’s something to consider.

While your low rate might be ideal, it doesn’t make up being too cramped, having a staircase your knees can’t handle anymore, or being 1,000 miles from your family. And those real-life needs are pushing more sellers off the fence despite today’s rates.

Data shows the share of homeowners with a mortgage rate below 3% is dropping as more people move. And, as a result, the share of homeowners taking on a mortgage rate above 6% is rising, too (see graph below):

The Biggest Reasons People Are Moving Right Now

Why are some homeowners willing to take on a higher rate? A survey from Realtor.com helps shed light on that. It shows 79% of homeowners considering selling today are doing it out of necessity. And that same survey says most of the necessary reasons people are moving are non-financial in nature (see graph below):

a graph with blue textDo any of these reasons resonate for you, too?

  • You Need More Space: Whether it’s a new baby, children needing their own rooms, or having your parents move in so it’s easier to take care of them, outgrowing your space can happen fast.
  • You Need Less Space: The kids are out of the house now and you’re craving a life that’s a little simpler. Downsizing can be a major relief: fewer rooms to clean, less to maintain, and lower utility bills, too.
  • You Want to Be Closer to Family: Whether it’s to help with grandchildren or care for aging parents, sometimes the pull of being near loved ones outweighs the math.
  • A Relationship in Your Life Has Changed: Divorce, separation, or moving in together after a marriage or new partnership – all can create the need for a fresh start and a new place to call home.
  • Your Job Is Taking You Somewhere New: If you finally landed your dream job or your partner’s company is relocating, you may need to move too.

What About Mortgage Rates?

Yes, experts expect mortgage rates to ease, but slowly. The latest projections show only modest declines this year – not the 3% you may be hoping for (see graph below):

a graph of blue barsSo, while waiting for a big drop in rates might sound strategic, it could just mean more time feeling stuck in a space that no longer fits. And for many, that waiting game has already gone on long enough.

According to Realtor.com, nearly 2 in 3 potential sellers have been thinking about moving for over a year. If you’re one of them, maybe it’s time to ask:

How much longer are you willing to press pause on your life?

Bottom Line

Maybe your current house fit your life five years ago. But that “for now” house you bought in 2020? It just can’t deliver on what you need in 2025. And that’s not just okay, it’s normal.

Mortgage rates are part of the equation, for sure. But the bigger question is:

What kind of home do you need to support the life you’re living now?

Talk to an agent about what’s changed, and what kind of move would actually take your life forward.

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Agent Value

Why Most Sellers Hire Real Estate Agents Today

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Selling your house without an agent as a “For Sale by Owner” (FSBO) may be something you’ve considered. But you should know that, in today’s shifting market, more homeowners are deciding that’s just not worth the risk.

According to the latest data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the number of homeowners selling without an agent has hit an all-time low (see graph below):

a graph showing a line of salesAnd for the small number of homeowners who do decide to sell on their own, data shows they’re still not confident they’re making a good choice.

A recent survey finds three out of every four homeowners who don’t plan to use an agent have doubts about whether that’s actually the right decision.

And here’s why. The market is changing – not in a bad way, just in a way that requires a smarter, more strategic approach. And having a real estate expert in your corner really pays off.

Here are just two of the ways an agent’s expertise makes a difference.

1. Getting the Price Right in a Market That’s Evolving

One of the biggest hurdles when selling a house on your own is figuring out the right price. It’s not as simple as picking a number that sounds good or selling your house for what your neighbor’s sold for a few years back – you need to hit the bullseye for where the market is right now. Without an agent’s help, you’re more likely to miss the mark. As Zillow explains:

“Agents are pros when it comes to pricing properties and have their finger on the pulse of your local market. They understand current buying trends and can provide insight into how your home compares to others for sale nearby.”

Basically, they know what’s really selling, what buyers are willing to pay in your area, and how to position your house to sell quickly. That kind of insight can have a big impact, especially in a market that’s balancing out.

2. Handling (and Actually Understanding) the Legal Documents

There’s also a mountain of documentation when selling a house, including everything from disclosures to contracts. And a mistake can have big legal implications. This is another area where having an agent can help.

They’ve handled these documents countless times and know exactly what’s needed to keep everything on track, so you avoid delays. And now that buyers are including more contingencies again and asking for concessions, your agent will guide you through each form step by step, making sure it’s done right and documented correctly the first time.

3. Selling Your House Quickly Even in a Shifting Market

Now that the number of homes for sale has grown, homes aren’t selling at quite the same pace they were. But you can still sell quickly if you have a proven plan to help your house stand out.

Just remember, homeowners don’t have the same network or marketing tools an experienced agent does. So, if you want the process to happen fast, you’ll likely want a pro by your side. 

Bottom Line

Having the right agent and the right strategy is key in a shifting market. Connect with a local pro so you don’t have to take this on solo – and so you can list with confidence, knowing you’ve got expert guidance from day one.

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Downsize

You May Have Enough Equity To Downsize and Buy Your Next House in Cash

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a graph on a blue background

Some Highlights

  • Have you been holding off on downsizing? If so, you should know your equity could make your move possible.
  • Homeowners today have so much equity that a record number are buying their next house in all cash. And that has some big benefits like making their offer more appealing, potentially closing faster, and not having a mortgage payment.
  • To find out how much equity you have in your current house, connect with a local agent. Because it may be enough to fuel your move.

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The information contained, and the opinions expressed, in these article are not intended to be construed as investment advice. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage, Landshark Mark, LLC and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. do not guarantee or warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information or opinions contained herein. Nothing herein should be construed as investment advice. You should always conduct your own research and due diligence and obtain professional advice before making any investment decision. Let's Talk Real Estate, Mark Sincavage and Keeping Current Matters, Inc. will not be liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on the information or opinions contained herein.