I’ve got good news and “okay” news for you. First, the good news. Here in Sarasota County, homes are still selling very close to the listed price. The okay news is, it’s taking homes longer to sell here in Sarasota County, in fact, the median time to contract, or the number of days it takes for a house to go “pending” once it hits the market, is 48 days as of November 2024. To put that into prospective, a year ago it was 26 days. It means we all have to work a little harder to make that sale happen. Here are four things you can do:
1. Make Buyers Feel at Home
One of the ways to make this happen is to take time to declutter. Pack away any personal items like pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings. The more neutral and tidy the space, the easier it is for a buyer to picture themselves living there. According to the 2023 Profile of Home Staging by NAR: 82% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as a future home. Not only will your house potentially attract the attention of more buyers and likely sell quickly, but the same report also notes:
Eighteen percent of sellers’ agents said home staging increased the dollar value of a residence between 6% and 10%.
Staging a home helps consumers see the full potential of a given space or property. It features the home in its best light and helps would-be buyers envision its various possibilities.
2. Keep It Clean
On top of making an effort to declutter, it’s important to keep your house neat and clean. Before a buyer stops by, be sure to pick up toys, make the beds, and wash the dishes. This is one more way to reduce the number of things that can distract a buyer from the appeal of the home.
Ensure your home smells fresh and clean as well. Buyers will remember the smell of your house, and according to the same report from NAR, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms of the house to focus on if you want to attract more buyers.
3. Give Buyers Access
Buyers are less likely to make an offer on your house if they aren’t able to easily schedule a time to check it out. If your home is available anytime, that opens up more opportunities for multiple buyers to go from curious to eager. It also allows buyers on tight schedules to still get in to see your house.
4. Price It Right
Even in a sellers’ market, it’s crucial to set your house at the right price to maximize selling potential. Pricing your house too high is actually a detriment to the sale. The goal is to drive high attention from competing buyers and let bidding wars push the final sales price up.
Work with your trusted real estate professional to determine the best list price for your house. Having an expert on your side in this process is truly essential.
If you want to sell on your terms, in the least amount of time, and for the best price, today’s market sets the stage to make that happen. Let’s connect today to determine the best ways to maximize the sale of your house this year. Contact Christine Pope, licensed Florida real estate agent today or schedule a call at a time that works for you!