Bandwagon Worth the Jump!

If the mortgage crisis showed you the short end of the stick, now could be time for a little payback (no pun intended). Low inventory in the Phoenix and Scottsdale real estate markets, has created a dream opportunity if you have been thinking about selling. If your home is priced right and well prepared to show, a fairly speedy sale is likely. The average number of days on the market for the month of April, 2018 was 64 days with closings averaging 97% of the listed price.  In many recent cases, we have seen homes receiving full price offers in less than 48 hours on the market.

It goes without saying, but I want to stress to you the importance of pricing your home correctly because it is the most important aspect of selling.  Your home is going to get the most activity from buyers in the first week or so of being on the market so don't give buyers a reason to stay away because the same floor plan down the street is listed for $50,000 less.  Many sellers make the mistake of comparing their upgrades and amenities to those in similar homes for sale in the neighborhood.  An appraiser is not necessarily going to view your upgrades or amenities with the same perspective on value that you are.  If you are planning to make improvements to your home in the future, make sure that the cost of those do not greatly exceed what value they will bring in return. Make sure it's an investment that won't make you lose sleep at night if you don't recoup all of the cost upon selling.

The next key issues that we repeatedly hear from prospective buyers is how disappointed they are in the smelly, cluttered and often eclectically decorated homes.  If you are one of those people who likes to collect and display your treasures, do yourself a favor and start your packing early.  Buyers want to see the home and the condition it is in, which can often be overshadowed by stuff.  Purchase some storage bins from your local big box store and lovingly pack your treasures and store them until your move.  Another reason to remove your sentimental items early is to protect you from potential theft because it can and does happen. After packing and storing your "stuff", you can prepare your home by taking the time to address a few other important issues that we commonly discuss with buyers: cleanliness, odor, and the color palette of your decor.  Potential buyers, won’t necessarily appreciate your green or red accent walls and, believe me, they will look under your sinks, in your window gutters and inside your cabinets.  Think neutral colors and put your teenagers or grandkids to work spiffing the place up and airing it out.

Here are a few specific items to consider when preparing your home to put on the market:
·         Yard maintenance
·         Reseal cracks in concrete areas
·         Clean and align gutters and downspouts
·         Remove oil stains from driveway and garage
·         Sweep walks and driveway
·         Wash windows
·         Thoroughly clean the interior
·         Repair damage to all indoor surfaces
·         Repair drippy faucets and showerheads
·         Unclog slow drains
·         Shampoo carpets and steam clean tile floors
·         Clean out the fireplace
·         Replace torn screens
·         Clean out window tracks
·         Replace burned-out light bulbs
·         Clean all appliances
·         Replace toilet seats and shower curtains
·         Clear away all cobwebs
·         Wash all light switches, handrails and doorknobs.


Guarantee yourself the best opportunity and the highest possible price by following these few simple suggestions.  You won’t regret it!