Tuesday, June 20, 2017

Putting your house on the market? Like most homeowners, you’ve probably got a set idea of what your home is worth and what you should be able to sell it for. After all, you know in intimate detail the blood, sweat and tears that have gone into making your home what it is today. You also know how happy you’ve been there, the advantages of your location and all the great features of the community. So no one has a better idea of how to price your home than you, right?

Not necessarily.

Your local real estate agent has the expertise you will need to price your home correctly to yield the best possible results, both in terms of time and money. Here are the factors your agent will look at to price your home; these factors probably never occurred to you, but they matter a lot when it comes to determining a price for your home:

What other homes in your neighborhood recently sold for. This creates a threshold of what your market will currently bear.

The specifics of your street. Are you on an appealing cul de sac or a busy main road?

The number of bathrooms and bedrooms. Regardless of your home’s square footage, bedrooms and bathrooms impact the sales price of your home.

The year your home was built or renovated. You might love the charm of your historic home, but if it means the new owners will have to invest in updates, it could drop your listing price.

Energy efficiency. Many of today’s buyers want a home that saves them money, so if you’re lacking in energy efficient windows, appliances and heating/cooling systems, it may affect your price. Conversely, features such as solar panels could positively affect your price.

Smart home technology. From controlling your lights and thermostat remotely, to using voice commands to operate your audio-visual equipment, smart home features are a big plus with today’s buyers and help support a higher selling price.

Most important of all, be sure to choose a professional real estate agent who is experienced and comes recommended. Once you’ve selected the right person, follow his or her advice on pricing your home and you’ll be on your way to a satisfactory sale.

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