Did you know the odds of selling your home in Edwardsville or Glen Carbon are only 42%?
In the past six months, 138 houses sold in Ed/Glen - while 323 were put on the market. There is currently 13 months of inventory on the market right now. Prices have held relatively stable, with a 7% decrease in the sales price from 2008 to 2009.
The market is tough right now, but it doesn't mean you can't sell if you need to. The following five steps will help increase your odds.
1. Price it right. Don't price your house higher than the market will bear - or even worse - higher than your competition. You must price your home competitively or buyers won't even bother to look at it. There used to be a time when you could build-in a lot of wiggle room for negotiations - those days are gone. Price it right to garner the attention of buyers. The job of your agent is not to tell you what the house is worth, rather their job is to help you price it to sell.
2. Clean it up. Make sure your home sparkles. Go the extra mile to clean sinks, counter tops, cobwebs, kitchens and especially bathrooms. Put the toilet lid down, close shower curtains, check the fridge for funny smells and open blinds for showings. (Just make sure you clean your windows and glass doors first).
3. De-clutter. In a market where buyers have so much choice available, maximize your living and closet space by renting a storage unit. Make every square foot you have count.
4. Neutralize. You might love your bright red walls, blue carpet, floral wallpaper or neon green bedroom - but buyers won't. If your home is going head to head with competition that is already neutralized, odds are the home that doesn't require a cosmetic overhaul will win out.
5. Make repairs. Even small repairs can help buyers feel like they are getting the most for their money. Tighten loose door knobs, change light bulbs, fix broken baseboards, fill holes in walls - you get the idea.
Above all, don't be afraid to ask your agent for help pointing out some things that might require attention. The hardest part of selling your house is making the shift in your mind to treat it as a commodity instead of a home. Right now most buyers want to get the most for their money. They tend to prefer homes that are move-in ready.
In a tough market, you need all of the advantages you can get. For more information visit our "Sellers" section of our website at JustDuckyHomes.com With a little bit of elbow grease, a good agent and above all - patience - you can sell in this market.
----------
Kristina Pratt is a Realtor with the Just Ducky Homes Group at Coldwell Banker Brown Realtors in Edwardsville.
kristina@justduckyhomes.com
(618)917-0775 wireless
http://www.edwardsvillerealtors.com
http://www.justduckyhomes.com
http://www.twitter.com/kmprattrealtor
http://madisoncountyrealestate.blogspot.com
(Copyright© 2009 Kristina Pratt, All Rights Reserved.)
About the Author: Kristina Pratt is a REALTOR® with Goshen Realty Group at RE/MAX Preferred Partners in Edwardsville, Illinois. She and Nancy Milton help their customers buy and sell homes and investment properties in St. Louis' Illinois suburbs of Madison and St. Clair counties with special emphasis on the communities of Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Maryville, Collinsville and Troy. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.GoshenRealtyGroup.com or e-mail Kristina@GoshenRealtyGroup.com
You are so right ma'am, all really good points that need to be followed.
"There used to be a time when you could build-in a lot of wiggle room for negotiations - those days are gone."
People still believe us on that one - it's maddening.