Inspections are back, be prepared to negotiate
Home inspections were the norm until the crazy competition of the last couple years when full home inspections became rare. Many of my clients said they would never buy a house without an inspection… but after losing out in multiple offers to buyers who were waiving inspections many finally relented to waiving inspection… so they could submit an offer that would be accepted!
It’s still a seller’s market, but inspections are back! Thank goodness, inspections protect both buyer and seller by establishing a baseline. I even had a seller who said she wouldn’t accept an offer that didn’t include an inspection to avoid having issues arise after closing.
Price it right
Homes have been selling for such unbelievable prices the last couple years that sellers may have unrealistic expectations about price. A property’s worth is ultimately what a buyer is willing to pay and a seller is willing to accept… AND what an appraiser is willing to support if financing is involved. (Appraisal guarantees aren’t the norm they were during the buying frenzy of the last couple years.) Don’t fall into the trap of thinking you can just reduce the price if it doesn’t sell at your ideal price. ‘Your’ buyer may not even see it if your price is too high and buy something else without even knowing about your house… and if it lingers on the market other buyers may wonder what is wrong with it. If it looks better and is priced better than other comparable properties it has a good chance of getting a favorable and timely offer… or even multiple offers, with the potential of selling for more than list price.
Make your home attractive
Buyers are more savvy than ever. If your home doesn’t look good online they may not even come to see it in person, even if it checks all their boxes. Staging has become more important than ever… many buyers expect a property to look like a model home. The home above was prepared with a professional staging consult, using the seller’s own furnishings. The home below was professionally staged after the seller moved out, leaving the home vacant.
Don’t overlook the importance of staging… the goal is to make a potential buyer to fall in love with your home and make an offer before someone else gets it!
Sharlene Hensrud, RE/MAX Results – shensrud@homesmsp.com
