Sellers FAQ

Sue has been selling homes for over 20 years and with that experience comes some very helpful tips for sellers.  Below are some of Sue's answers to sellers' most frequently asked questions.  If you have a question you would like to ask Sue, just send her an e-mail or give her a call.

Why should we get an agent when we can sell our home ourselves?
What do I have to do to my home before it goes on the market?
How long does it usually take to sell a home?
How do I know how much to ask for my home?
Will there be potential buyers coming to see the home all the time or will I be able to limit the times they can come?

Why should we get an agent when we can sell our home ourselves?
Why it may seem like a good idea to sell your home yourself and save the cost of an agent's commission, very few people actually succeed in selling their own homes.  Why?  Because marketing and showing your home take a lot of time which most people don't have.  FSBOs (For Sale By Owners) have a very high cancellation rate and without an agent, you as the seller have no representation, no recourse if a sale goes bad.

What do I have to do to my home before it goes on the market?
The most important thing you can do is price your home right.  I can research your neighborhood and others homes that have sold in that area to know what your home is worth.  Also, walk through your home with buyers' eyes - see what needs to be repaired before your house goes on the market.  Take a look at my Help Me Sell Your Home page for a more detailed list.

How long does it usually take to sell a home?
How long it takes to sell your home largely depends on the price and condition of your home.  The price has to be right and the home must be in good repair.  If you have pets, consider replacing the carpet and temporarily putting pets outside.  Repaint the walls if needed, keep home clean and uncluttered, etc.  The shortest time I've ever had a home on the market is one day - the longest was eight months.  Why was the latter home on the market for so long?  It was not in good condition.

How do I know how much to ask for my home?
To know what price to ask for you home you must get a professional's opinion.  I will do an analysis of the competition in the area and what homes have sold.  My advice is to not pay for an appraisal as what your home is worth may be more or less than the price you can ask for it and have it be sold quickly.

Will there be potential buyers coming to see the home all the time or will I be able to limit the times they can come?
Of course you can limit the times you want potential buyers coming through your home but the best time for buyers is usually after work on weekdays, evening and weekends.  This is another reason why you would want an agent rather than selling your home yourself.  An agent can sift potential buyers so that only those who are looking for a home like yours will come through.  There is no sense wasting the buyer's or seller's time by having them look at a country type home when the buyer is looking for a more modern house.

Have a question that's not listed?  Ask Sue!

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