Home Selling FAQs
A lot goes into selling a high-end property, and there can be a lot of unknowns. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we receive regarding selling your home at the best price.
If you have any additional questions not answered here, please reach out. We are always here to help you.
FAQs
Will I be able to sell my home for a price that is at least what I’ve put into it?
One of the most frustrating things that can happen to a homeowner is to sell for less than what they have invested. Prior to the housing market collapse in 2008—the Great Recession—most people were able to sell their house for at least as much as they paid, and often more.
Today is a different story.
Many homeowners who purchased or built prior to 2008 are finding that the current market value for their house is below their ideal price. We understand how disappointing this situation is.
However, if your goal is to move on with your life, the most important thing you can do is face the reality of the current market. Waiting for a higher price is rarely your best option. Consider the cost of waiting:
-
It may take years to see appreciation bring the market value of your home up to what you have invested, all the while keeping you from moving on to your next life adventure. If you wait for the several years it will take for your existing property to appreciate, the new property you buy will also likely have increased in value. While waiting for a 10% increase in your property’s value, your replacement property will increase 10% as well. Is this worth waiting for?
-
Time is not your friend when you want to sell and move on to your next dream in life. You may not be able to sell your home for more than what you originally paid. But you can sell for a quality price based on your house’s uniqueness and the value of similar homes in your neighborhood.
Our goal is to help buyers fall in love with your home so you can sell at a price that reflects the true value of the property. Give us a call and find out how much your home could sell for.
Does it not make sense to list high and leave room for negotiation?
One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make is pricing their homes too high and reducing the price later when they do not get offers. This can lead buyers to believe that there may be something wrong with the home, when in fact the price was just too high for the market.
Pricing right leads to selling well.
Studies have shown that the best way to get the highest price for your house is to list it in the market right out of the gate. This means listing it within 1-2% of the current market value the first day the listing is launched onto the market.
When a newly launched listing is priced in the market, there is more interest, more buzz, more showings—-often leading to a quicker sale and at a higher price.
In fact, local homes that sell in the first two months on average sell for 95% of the list price.
Whereas, homes that sell in months three and four only sell for 89% of their original list price.
Armed with this knowledge, pricing your property very close to current market value right out of the chute is the best way to maximize your price.
Pricing your home right from the start is one of the most challenging parts of selling your home. That is precisely why the experienced professionals at Turner & Rudd Group are here to help you list at the right price—so you can receive your best price.
What are the most important things I need to do to prepare my home for sale?
1. Declutter Your Home
Remove anything that distracts from a buyer’s experience. Pack away all personal items like pictures, awards, and sentimental belongings. This helps buyers see themselves in the home so they can feel like they belong.
2. Stage It Well
According to the “Profile of Home Staging” by the National Association of Realtors:
83% of buyers’ agents said staging a home made it easier for a buyer to visualize the property as their future home.
One-quarter of buyers’ agents said that staging a home increased the dollar value offered between 1 – 5%, compared to other similar homes on the market that were not staged.
The kitchen is the most important room to attract more buyers. Clear off counters, put away small appliances, and decorate with silk flowers, vases, scented candles, etc.
Taking the time to ensure your home is viewed at its best will make a big difference.
3. Keep It Organized
Do not let your hard work go to waste! You took the time to declutter, keep your home picked up and organized. Live intentionally so you can see the fruit of your labor.
Along with having a tidy home, when it is time for a showing, turn on every light and lamp, open all blinds and curtains before any buyers arrive.
Making and keeping your home in show-ready condition will lead to less time on the market and a better price.
How is the local real estate market doing?
All local real estate markets are ever-changing. The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton market is no different. We are determined to help every client maximize the price they receive for their home, so we study macro and micro market trends constantly. In fact, every month we publish updated market stats so that you too can keep up with the current trends. Click here for more information.
When is the best time to sell my house?
If you have decided to sell, look at the reasons for your decision. Then ask yourself: Is it more important to gain the freedom to move on with your life or wait for a higher price?
Only you know the answer to this question, and only you have the power to take control of the situation by choosing whether or not to put your home on the market. But if the time has come for you to move on and start living the life you desire, it’s rare that waiting for a higher price will yield much gain. Meanwhile, time is something we never get back.
The terrific thing about Hilton Head Island-Bluffton is that we are perfectly positioned geographically to be a year-round real estate market.
Yes, sales peak in the Spring and Summer but supply also surges. Winter, historically the slowest time of the year, has become quite a strong selling season due to the number of snowbirds now coming here instead of Florida. And since winter has the lowest supply, your house may actually sell faster. Fall has always been a strong season due to so many empty nesters and pre-retirees looking to buy before snow starts falling up north.
The bottom line is that if you are ready to transform your life for your next adventure, now is as good a time as any.
What makes Turner & Rudd Group’s UPSell® Platform so effective?
We are blown away by how successful our comprehensive marketing platform has been at helping sellers achieve their goals. For more details on our UPSell® Platform, go here
Can Turner & Rudd Group help me with a home purchase?
Absolutely. Whether you are looking for your next primary residence or a memory-making vacation spot, we will help you find the perfect home to make your own. Go to our homebuyer’s site here
