Selling has been reshaped

How World has reshaped buyer needs and motivations

We all know our world has changed so much. How we live from day today. We no longer leave home to make a living.  living close to work isn’t important. Covid 19 has reshaped the buyers and the sellers.  The location used to be the most important factor when deciding where do we all live in the world.  Now for many buyers, space matters more along with rooms that can be used for more than one thing.  Buyers today still want to buy a home that is as close to turnkey, but its simply because they lack the extra free time to do the work. Many buyers are now working and homeschooling. Last buyers might not want to hire a contractor to come thru their home to do work during a pandemic. 

First Time Sellers really should try to do as many upgrades they can before it comes to the market. If sellers are wondering what features matter to a home buyer there are plenty of publications that shed light on what buyers want

Pricing a Home right matters 

Pricing a home correctly the first time is so important especially if you’re in a softer market.  The sellers must be responsible and accommodate the buyer’s needs.  Sellers should know what is on market, how long properties in their area are taking to sell. Documentation of repairs seller made before going on the market. Sellers want to decrease the likelihood of inspection surprise or a low-ball offer. 

Keeping you safe while home on the market 

When your home is on market your agent and you should have discussed how the home is being marketed, and how you feel about it personally since it is your home. Some topics your agent should cover how do you feel about public open houses?  What Steps is your agent doing after every showing?  If you’re not comfortable with by appointment open house how do you feel about virtual open houses, and private showings? The discussion should start before it hits the market. 

Sanitizing the home and making sure protective measures are put in place before you go to market so your agent can adhere to your requirements.  All open houses require mask, but how do you feel about shoes. Most of the time buyers want to touch cabinets and doors. How do you feel about that?  Whatever your concerns are your agent should be able to address it and make you feel more comfortable.  

Real Estate Community and safety

The Real Estate community and your agent should do whatever makes you feel comfortable being in your home after a showing. 

Seller moves out of home while on the market 

If you can move out while your home is on the market that is always great for the agent it makes it easier for the agent to show your home and provides more flexibility for the buyer.  However, showing an empty home can make it challenging for a buyer to visualize how to make the home their own so you might want to discuss either leaving some furniture in the home or having it fully staged or particularly staged.  

If you just leaving home for a few weeks while the home is initially on market you and your agent should discuss post cleanings, security matters like is there an alarm that you want on.  Moving out in the early part while your home is on market can offer your agent the most flexibility, but doesn’t mean it will increase showings or make the process go faster.

Pace of Market

If your home is Suburbs vs in the city you might find your home goes on the market and before you can unpack all your boxes you have an accepted offer or you can pack everything up and three months from when it came on market its still on market. The city markets are not moving at the brisk pace they were prior, but homes are moving you just need to manage your expectations, and it might not be pricing the reason why your home isn’t selling it might be your home doesn’t offer amenities a buyer wants right now. 

Staging your home is a must 

Staging or presentation to a home is everything. Most buyers are viewing a listing first online so how it visually looks and having a great photographer, video, Matterport is huge.

Is Staging really of value when selling? 

If you’re on the fence on how much value staging adds to home asking a stager and your agent to show you comps of homes staged and homes that have not. It’s a cheaper route to stage a home then reduce the price.  Staging a home doesn’t mean your furniture isn’t being used there might be pieces that might be used and other items go to storage till the home sells.

Legal issues and buyer surprises 

Last, when your home is about to go on the market you should speak to your attorney asking about if you are selling your home during covid 19.  There might be legal matters or stumbling blocks that could come home and how to best prepare mentally. 

Thinking ahead will help you in the long run in these challenging times. Having an agent who proactively brings these things to your attention early on will only help you. You’re paying for a service and I always say service starts at the first meeting not once we get the listing or get the buyer contracts.