Be sure to look into the agent’s skillset, and maybe work history (linkedin?) to be sure that is the professional you want to hire.

What about their past deals.  How many?  Your friend’s spouse may be a realtor, but is that the single qualification you’re looking for?  Sometimes you need more.

Selling your house is a big decision. Your home is one of the biggest investments you’ve probably ever made, and it’s a place where you’ve created countless memories. That combo means there’s going to be a lot of emotions involved. You want someone who understands your perspective, knows what it feels like, and is an expert at helping homeowners just like you navigate the process of selling a home.

That’s where a good listing agent, also known as a seller’s agent, comes in. Here are just a few skills you’ll want your agent to have.

The Ability To Turn Something Complex into Something Simple

Some agents are going to use big, fancy real estate terms to try and impress you. But you shouldn’t have to know all the industry jargon in order to understand what they’re saying. If anything, it’s an agent’s job to keep it simple, so you don’t get overwhelmed or confused.

A great agent is going to be someone who is very good at explaining what’s happening in the housing market in a way that’s easy to understand. But they’ll take it one step further than that. They’ll explain what’s going on and, specifically, what that means for you. That way you’re always in the loop and it’s a lot easier to feel confident when you’re making a big decision. As Business Insider explains:

“Maybe you have a better rapport with one of the agents you’re considering, or you just feel like they’re easier to approach. You’re going to be working closely with this person, so it’s important to choose an agent you’re comfortable with.”

A Data-Based Approach on How To Price Your House

While it may be tempting to pick the agent who suggests the highest asking price for your house, that strategy may cost you. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when you see a bigger number, but overpricing your house can have consequences. It could mean your house will sit on the market longer because the higher price is actually turning away buyers.

Instead, partner with an agent who’s going to have an open conversation about how they recommend you should price your house. They won’t throw out a number just to win your listing. A great agent has deep real estate market expertise, will back up their number with solid data, explain their pricing strategy, and make sure you’re both on the same page. As NerdWallet explains:

“An agent who recommends the highest price isn’t always the best choice. Choose an agent who backs up the recommendation with market knowledge.”

A Fair, but Objective Negotiator

The home-selling process can be emotional, especially if you’ve been in your house for a long time. But that sentimental tie can make it harder to be objective during negotiations. That’s where a trusted professional can really make a difference.

They’re skilled negotiators who know how to stay calm under pressure. You can count on them to handle the back-and-forth and have your best interests at heart throughout the process. Not to mention, they’ll be able to rely on their real estate market expertise and what they’re seeing work in other transactions to offer the best advice possible. As Rocket Mortgage explains:

“Whether this is your first or third time selling a house, listing agents work to help make the home selling process smoother and less stressful. These real estate professionals know the ins and outs of the industry and can help you secure the best deal.”

Bottom Line

Whether you’re a first-time seller or you’ve been through this before, a great listing agent is the key to your success. Let’s connect so you have a skilled local expert by your side to guide you through every step of the process.

Moving.  Selling a property.  There’s a lot to consider.  It’s best to have a plan with deadlines so the process can move along smoothly.

Below is some good info to consider.  Want a detailed solution now?  Call or text to me today!

Dave Jensen @ 615-495-7531

and use this Move Meter tool to help you know before you sell!

This tool gives a great overview of comparative living standards from housing to school and health and jobs to name a few

As always, knowledge is power.  Be informed with relevant info so you can make the most of this decision to move.

If you’re planning to sell your house and move, you probably know there’s been a shortage of options available. But here’s the good news: the supply of homes for sale has grown in a lot of markets this year – and that’s not just existing, or previously-owned, homes. It’s true for newly built homes too.

So how do you decide which route to go? Do you buy an existing home or a brand-new one? The choice is yours – you just need to figure out what’s most important to you.

Perks of a Newly Built Home

Here are some benefits of buying a newly built home right now:

• Have brand new everything with never-been-used appliances and materials
• Use energy efficient options to save money and leave a smaller footprint
• Minimize the need for repairs and benefit from builder warranties
• Take advantage of builder concessions that can help with affordability

In today’s market, a lot of builders are focusing on selling their current inventory before they add more homes to their mix. And some of them are offering concessions and are more willing to negotiate to make a sale happen.

That, coupled with the fact builders are primarily building smaller, more affordable homes, has led to one other potential perk. The median price for a newly built home in today’s market is actually lower than the median price of an existing home – which isn’t usually the case. Ralph McLaughlin, Senior Economist at Realtor.com, shares:

 “Homebuyers who are looking for that ‘new-home smell’ may be in a relatively friendlier market than times past when new homes were considerably more expensive than used ones.”

If you’re interested in seeing what builders nearby have to offer, lean on your real estate agent. Their knowledge of local builders, new communities, and builder contracts will be important in this process.

Perks of an Existing Home

Now, let’s compare that to the benefits of buying an existing home.

• Join an established neighborhood that you can get a feel for before moving in
• Choose from a wider variety of floorplans and styles
• Appreciate the lived-in charm that only an older home can provide
• Enjoy the privacy and curb appeal of mature trees and landscaping

In addition to these lifestyle benefits, there’s strategic value to buying an existing home, too. Remember, you can always make upgrades to an existing home down the road to give it some of the latest features available. This gives you the best of both worlds: you’ll get the charm, the neighborhood, and over time, you can still add those on-trend elements you may see in a brand-new home. And if you do, you’ll likely increase the home’s value too. An article from LendingTree explains:

“. . . they can personalize it and possibly increase its potential resale value with cosmetic upgrades . . . Plus, if a home comes with physical details or stories that add charm, in some cases, these elements are attractive enough to add to a home’s resale value . . .”

Want to see what’s available? Your real estate agent can show you what homes are for sale in your area, so you can see if there’s one that works for you and your needs.

Bottom Line

There are a lot of factors that go into deciding whether to buy an existing home or a newly built one after you sell, but it’s essential in today’s market to understand the opportunities you can find in both. Let’s connect so you have expert guidance as you explore the options in our area.  Simply put…Know before you sell!  Contact me today for specific relevant you can use.

Look at the big picture.  If it doesn’t appraise for the price you want to sell, the buyers likely can’t get a loan on it anyway so the deal won’t close.  Do you want to sell the place fast and move on to the next chapter of your life?  Or price it high and watch it sit on the market?  If you have to wait 5 months to get 15k more, you’ve likely spent close to that in carry costs (mortgage, insurance, taxes, utilities, maintenance) and aggravation.

Plan these steps sensibly and humbly and keep moving upward with your wealth plan.  Pricing your house right is very important!

While this isn’t the frenzied market we saw during the ‘unicorn’ years, homes that are priced right are still selling quickly and seeing multiple offers right now. That’s because the number of homes for sale is still so low. Data from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows 76% of homes sold within a month and the average saw 3.5 offers in June.

To set yourself up to see advantages like these, you need to rely on an agent. Only an agent has the expertise needed to find the right asking price for your house. Here’s what’s at stake if that price isn’t accurate for today’s market value.

The price you set for your house sends a message to potential buyers.

Price it too low and you might raise questions about your home’s condition or lead buyers to assume something is wrong with it. Not to mention, if you undervalue your house, you could leave money on the table, which decreases your future buying power.

On the other hand, price it too high and you run the risk of deterring buyers from ever touring it in the first place. When that happens, you may have to do a price drop to try to re-ignite interest in your house when it sits on the market for a while. But be aware that a price drop can be seen as a red flag for some buyers who will wonder why the price was reduced and what that means about the home. Pricing your house right takes expertise.

A recent article from NerdWallet sums it up like this:

“Your house’s market debut is your first chance to attract a buyer and it’s important to get the pricing right. If your home is overpriced, you run the risk of buyers not seeing the listing . . . But price your house too low and you could end up leaving some serious money on the table. A bargain-basement price could also turn some buyers away, as they may wonder if there are any underlying problems with the house.”

Think of pricing your home as a target. Your goal is to aim directly for the center – not too high, not too low, but right at market value.

Pricing your house fairly based on market conditions increases the chance you’ll have more buyers who are interested in purchasing it. That makes it more likely you’ll see multiple offers too. Plus, when homes are priced right, they still tend to sell quickly.

To get a high-level look into the potential downsides of over or underpricing your house and the perks that come with pricing it at market value, see the chart below:

Here’s another view of the importance of pricing your house right –  The Risks of Overpricing Your House

Lean on a Professional’s Expertise to Price Your House Right

So why is an agent essential in finding the right price? Your local agent has the skill and the insight necessary to find the market value of your home. They’ll use their expertise to determine a realistic listing price by assessing:

• The prices of recently sold homes
• The current market conditions
• The size and condition of your house
• The location of your house

Bottom Line

Pricing your house right, at market value is critical, so don’t rely on guesswork. Let’s connect to make sure your house is priced right for today’s market.

All who know me will tell you, I always advise to accumulate assets and don’t sell unless you have to, or can make a better return on the next acquisition.   With homes, some are great as rentals while others, you just need sell so you can extract the most equity and get into another productive asset.

Below is a quick read on how to decide the best next step making that decision.

Figuring out what to do with your house when you’re ready to move can be a big decision. Should you sell it and use the money for your next adventure, or keep it as a rental to build long-term wealth?

It’s a question many homeowners face, and the answer isn’t always straightforward. Whether you’re curious about the potential income from renting or worried about the responsibilities of being a landlord, there’s a lot to consider.

Let’s walk through some key questions to ask to help you make the best decision for your situation.

Is Your House a Good Fit for Renting?

Even if you’re interested in becoming a landlord, your current house might not be ideal for renting. Maybe you’re moving far away, so keeping up with the ongoing maintenance would be a hassle, the neighborhood isn’t great for rentals, or the house needs significant repairs before you could rent it out.

If any of this sounds like it might apply, selling might be your best option.

Are You Ready for the Realities of Being a Landlord?

Managing a rental property isn’t just about collecting rent checks. It’s a time-consuming and sometimes challenging job.

For example, you may get calls from tenants at all hours of the day with maintenance requests. Or you may find a tenant causes damage you have to repair before the next lease starts. You may even have to deal with people falling behind on payments or breaking their lease early. Investopedia highlights:

“It isn’t difficult to find horror stories of landlords troubled with more headaches than profits. Before deciding to rent, consider talking to other landlords and doing a detailed cost analysis. You might find that selling your home is a better financial decision and less stressful.”

Do You Have a Good Understanding of What It’ll Cost?

If you’re thinking about renting out your home primarily to generate extra income, remember that there are additional costs you’ll want to plan for. As an article from Bankrate explains:

• Mortgage and Property Taxes: You still need to pay these expenses, even if the rent doesn’t cover all of it.
• Insurance: Landlord insurance costs about 25% more than regular home insurance, and it’s necessary to cover damages and injuries.
• Maintenance and Repairs: Plan to spend at least 1% of the home’s value annually, more if the home is older.
• Finding a Tenant: This involves advertising costs and potentially paying for background checks.
• Vacancies: If the property sits empty between tenants, you’ll lose rental income.
• Management and HOA Fees: A property manager can ease the burden, but typically charges about 10% of the rent. HOA fees are an additional cost too, if applicable.

Bottom Line

To sum it all up, selling or renting out your home is a personal decision that depends on your circumstances. Whatever you decide, taking the time to evaluate your options will help you make the best choice for your future.

Make sure to weigh the pros and cons carefully and consult with professionals so you feel supported and informed as you make your decision. That’s what we’re here for.

Need more info?  Contact me today.  Info is at your fingertips.  Let’s talk it out, visualize that solution, and move onto the next step.

Dave Jensen

Broker Associate

615-495-7531

dave.jensen@cbrealty.com

Coldwell Banker Realty

The Woodlands TX

Plan ahead and enjoy a more satisfying outcome.

 If you’re thinking about selling your house, you should know there are buyers who are ready and able to pay today’s high prices. But they want a home that’s move-in ready. A recent press release from Redfin explains:

“Buyers are still out there and they’re willing to pay today’s high prices, but only if the house is in really good shape. They don’t want to spend extra money on paint or new appliances.”

It makes sense when you think about it. They’re having to pay a lot of money for a house in today’s market. That means they may not be able to easily afford upgrades after they move in. So, if your home is outdated or needs some work, buyers might pass it by or offer a lower price than you were hoping for.

And there are a lot of homes that need upgrades right now. Millions are entering their prime remodel years, meaning they’re between 20 and 39 years old. Maybe yours is one of them. According to John Burns Research and Consulting (JBRC), the number of homes in their prime remodel years is high and growing (see graph below):

If your house falls into this category, it’s important to consider making selective updates to help it appeal to buyers, so it sells faster. But how do you know where to spend your time and money?

Why You Need a Real Estate Agent

By working with a local real estate agent to be strategic about the improvements you make, you can be sure you’re making a smart investment. Put simply, not all upgrades are worth the cost. As Bankrate says:

“Before you spend money on costly upgrades, be sure the changes you make will have a high return on investment. It doesn’t make sense to install new granite countertops, for example, if you only stand to break even on them, or even lose money.”

And, as that same Bankrate article goes on to say, that’s where a local real estate agent comes in:

“. . . a good real estate agent will know what local buyers expect and can help you decide what needs doing and what doesn’t.”

Your agent will know what buyers in your area are looking for and what they’re willing to pay for it. By working together, you can avoid spending money on upgrades that won’t pay off. Instead, they’ll fill you in on which changes will make your house more appealing and valuable.

Bottom Line

Selling a house right now requires more than just putting up a For Sale sign. You need to make sure it’s in good condition to attract buyers who are willing to pay today’s high prices.

The way to do that is by making smart improvements that will give you the best return on your investment. Let’s work together so you know what buyers are looking for and what your house needs before selling.