Remember the Wizard of Oz?
The Lion, The Tin Man, and The Scarecrow all traveled with Dorothy down the yellow brick road in search of the all-knowing wizard who would magically grant them special powers: a brain, a heart, and courage.
Many homeowners travel down their own yellow brick road when it is time to list their home for sale. They believe they do not have the expertise, the experience, or the time to sell their own home. So they go in search of the all knowing real estate agent who will magically know how to price their home, how to position their home, how to market their home, and how to negotiate the best price.
Pulling the Curtain on the Wizard
Remember the disappointment of our heroes when Toto pulled the curtain back and exposed the so-called wizard? Many homeowners are facing this same disappointment. Homes that sit on the market for months prove that having a real estate agent is no guarantee that a home will sell. Drive through your neighborhood and notice all of the 'Price Reduced!' signs and you can see that listing with an agent is no guarantee that your home will be priced effectively for the market.
So how can you feel confident in your ability to ?
Use Your Brain: Research, Research, Research
The Scarecrow who sang "If I only had a brain" would've benefited greatly from the internet. Everything you need to create a comprehensive market analysis can be found online. Information about homes for sale, price, square footage, location and features is available in every area of the country - including yours! How does your home compare? Take it one step further and visit the Open Homes of houses listed for sale in your area. What are the advantages and disadvantages compared to your home? Complete a comprehensive analysis before you list your home to make sure you have the advantage.
Have a Heart: Connect with Buyers
With a surplus of homes on the market, many sellers find that it is difficult to make their home stand out based on features, price, or location alone. To reach buyers in today's market, you must stand out in how you interact with them. Many buyers are used to being ignored or condescended to when looking for a home. Take the time to make buyers feel welcome, listen to their concerns, and connect with them in a way that establishes trust.
Take Courage: Create a Realistic Strategy
If the idea of selling your own home still feels overwhelming, take it step-by-step and create a team. Get advice from qualified professionals such as inspectors and appraisers before you list your home to give you confidence in setting a price and negotiating with buyers. Use the information that you collected in your research to create a realistic timeframe and budget for selling your home. Have a marketing plan that feels like a realistic use of your resources of time and money.
You don't need a wizard or any special powers to . You have everything you need to soon have potential buyers saying "There's no place like this home."
