We are still in a seller’s market and expect this to continue in 2022, although not at such a frenzied pace. Houses are still selling like hotcakes. Well, most are.
Then there are the listings that sit on the market and start having price reductions each week. A lot of these homes are the iBuyers listings (Opendoor, Offerpad, etc.) but others are regular listings where the seller and agent have that same kind of attitude — it’s a sellers’ market so the home will sell, which is true, but how much is being left on the table when nothing is done to get the home ready.
If you have been out looking for a home in the past few months you will know the homes I am talking about. They are the ones that are overpriced and where nothing has been done to get them ready to list.
If they are vacant, there isn’t any staging, half the time no cleaning has been done either, lights are not turned on for showing, its dark and cold with the blinds closed, and has the musky smell of an old empty home.
If it’s occupied, again no staging has been done to help the seller showcase their home. It is either packed full of too much furniture, making each room seem small or cluttered with knick-knacks and personal items, making it hard for the buyer to visualize the homes potential.
There are lots of small things that could have been done to make these homes look much better and sell for a higher price, including the photography.
Without spending any money, or very little, you can transform your home and get top dollar, which can be tens of thousands more. I just staged my new listing in Las Sendas and the only expense for the homeowner was the painting of a few walls, but the difference was amazing and has added more value to the home.
Here are some before and after pictures. Just the feel of the home as you enter has totally changed, from cold and needs work to warm and inviting, where you can imagine your family living.
It’s hard to see the real difference in print so please visit my website, Homes2SellAZ.com, where I will have all the photos, and before and after video. Or come and view it for yourself at my Open House on Saturday, Jan. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Typically, open houses are for the agents to get more business with unrepresented buyers viewing the home and neighbors popping in, but not in today’s market. Now I use open houses to not only sell the home but sell for above asking by getting multiple offers to bid the price up. I did an open house last week and received 10 offers, and we are now under contract for over $100,000 above asking price, plus I have back-up offers.
Yes, you can just put your home on the market and sell right away in today’s market, but why would you? Why not sell it for thousands more at little to no cost or effort by you. I offer free home staging and contractors that will do any painting or repairs needed, along with a Marketing Plan to get your home sold in one weekend with multiple offers.
Lorraine is a Multi-Million Dollar producing agent, has been a full-time Realtor for over 13 years, is an Associate Broker of KOR Properties, a Certified Negotiation Specialist, and is on the Professional Standards Board. You can reach Lorraine at (602) 571-6799.