Home sellers are in a great mood these days. And who can blame them? Many sellers are excited to cash in and make a killing in this seller’s market, where homes have been going for top dollar. In many cases, they’ll succeed—yet this wild exuberance can also go overboard. Such bullish optimism could result in an uncomfortable collision with reality.
1. You will sell in 3 days
Markets across the United States are facing a shortage of homes for sale. As a result, homes have been selling recently after a few days or weeks on the market. However, several factors must come into play. Real estate agents typically see this scenario only when a home is in a great location, is in turnkey condition, and is listed at an area’s median price. (The national median is about $380,000.) Houses that require extensive renovation, are listed in a higher price range (read: less competition), or have quirky features may linger on the market. Add these factors to the changing and increasing mortgage rates - days on the market are steadily increasing.
2. You can price your home sky-high
Your home may be your pride and joy, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Many sellers tempted by the strong seller’s market may ignore their real estate agent’s advice and insist upon an unrealistic number to see if the market will bear it. One of the biggest mistakes sellers can make going with aspirational pricing is because it is a seller’s market. Many deals get multiple offers and go at or over ask, but they almost always stem from buyers sensing some form of value. And if there is no perceived value, buyers will often stay on the sidelines, even with limited inventory.
3. You don’t need to make repairs or upgrades
Plenty of investors are willing to snap up fixer-uppers these days, but the average Joe Buyer is not in the mood to renovate. If the seller has a place that needs a touch-up or decorative work, it’s usually a good idea to do it before listing. Construction and renovation costs are up sharply with all the supply chain issues. Buyers can be wary of purchasing a place they will have to work on, especially since the money spent there needs to be entirely out of pocket versus buying a move-in-ready product and having everything rolled into the mortgage. You certainly might avoid major renovations before putting your home on the market, but simple updates such as painting the interior walls and switching out the hardware on your cabinets and drawers can go a long way in landing you a buyer fast.
4. You can sell your home as is
During the past few years, “as is” has emerged as a term sellers use to indicate that any significant and minor repairs found during a home inspection will not be addressed or negotiated. However, the term “as is” can be a red flag to buyers, suggesting the house may have underlying issues. If there are known issues, such as a structural problem or a boiler that needs to be replaced, they must be disclosed upfront, so all parties are aware. The fear of the unknown could keep buyers from making an offer. Additionally, when it comes to real estate, everything is negotiable.
5. You don’t need a real estate agent
Perhaps you might have experience flipping some homes, or your law degree assures you to handle such a significant transaction on your own. You might be wondering why not post your home on real estate sites, sell it yourself, and avoid paying a commission. Reality is way more complex than what you’re imagining. You’ll need to produce high-quality photos of your home (smartphone pics aren’t going to make the grade), respond to inquiries, and schedule showings. And even after all that effort, you won’t have access to list your home on the professional multiple listing service, meaning thousands of buyer’s agents won’t be sharing it with their clients. You’ll most likely end up leaving money on the table. It pays to work with an expert on marketing and pricing your home.
6. Post-sale, you can easily buy something else
Yes, you’ve sold your house, but where will you go? After they make a sweet profit on the sale of their home, many sellers assume they can easily buy a new home with the windfall. But not so fast. If your post-sale plans involve buying a new house, whether you’re upsizing or downsizing, you’ll find yourself in the same pool of buyers competing for homes. A real estate agent can help you through the process of selling your old home and buying a new one so that you won’t be left in a lurch.
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