Posts with tag 'Southwest Michigan'

With home sales playing a big part of our economic recovery, especially here in Southwest Michigan, more people than ever are curious about the real estate market and what to expect in the coming year. With all the uncertainty, a lot of people remain on the fence about putting their homes up for sale. Here, I address four questions which have come up again and again:

1. IS NOW A GOOD TIME TO SELL?

In short, yes. Housing inventory is still at record lows. Buyer demand is still at a record high. And sales prices on existing homes are also high. Many people want or need to move. Putting your home on the market now will maximize your chances of selling quickly and for a higher price.

2. WHAT IF I SELL MY HOME BUT CAN'T FIND A NEW ONE T...

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How do you know which real estate professional you should choose when putting your home up for sale? Most people already know several Realtors, and if you ask around you'll likely receive a variety of recommendations. But are they right for you?

When doing your research, you should look beyond the number of sales. Have they received any awards? Special designations – all those initials after their name – show they have invested time and money into their professional development and growth. Have they earned their broker's license? These are all indicators of drive and initiative.

If you want a better picture of how they will perform, take the time to read through their reviews. Dig deeper than Zillow – check other sites like Google, Realtor.com, Facebook and LinkedIn. Also check their website, as s...

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What if you put your house up for sale, but you never receive any offers on it? All the wasted time and disappointment is frustrating, to say the least. A course correction is in order, so here are four aspects to consider when putting your home back on the market.

PRICE. Setting the right price is crucial, yet tricky, involving careful analysis of comparable properties and market conditions in the area. You will need to find that sweet spot which will position your home favorably for obtaining a quick sale at a higher price – typically just at a little below full market value. If your home sat on the market too long, the most likely reason was the price. Often, changing that one thing will bring renewed interest.

PRESENTATION. Home shopping beg...

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Seller's market though it is, the buyers are the ones spending the money. Unless they're in a position where they must purchase quickly, most buyers will hold out for a home with the features they really want. Does your home have any of the most popular buyer requests? Based on recent personal experience working with buyers (giving feedback) and sellers (receiving feedback), as well as conversations with colleagues, these are the ten most sought after features in a home:

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BATHROOM SPACE. If a home doesn't have an adequate number of bathrooms, one of the most important considerations will be whether, and where, another one can be added. Is there a place where one would make sense? The size of the room is also important – more often than not, buyers will regard a "shoe...

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It's every home seller's dream scenario: after a short time on the market, you find yourself choosing among multiple offers! If you think that only happens to a few lucky luxury homeowners, think again; it happens right here in Southwest Michigan on homes in all price ranges.

How does this occur? If your home is priced ideally (positioned below the maximum price that you can expect it to sell for), you are much more likely to receive multiple offers.  And how your home is presented (this is where professional marketing makes all the difference) will also affect the buyers' perception of value and spur them to make an offer.

So here you are with 2 or 3 (or 8, as I've seen lately) offers in hand. Naturally you want...

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