The Number One Secret for a Successful Real Estate Sale in 2021
I got a call from an agent a few days ago that went something like this:
Them: “Hey Linda, I just wanted to let you know that you have a typo on the MLS.”
Me: “Oh yeah? What’s going on?”
Them: “I just saw your closed sale of 10781 Royal Cypress Way and it says that you sold it for $1,059,000. But that’s $100,000 OVER what you had it listed for. Just thought you might want to know.”
Me: “No, that’s correct. We did close at $1,059,000.”
Them: “Wow! But it was on the market for 6 months!”
Me: “It was, and my sellers listened to my suggestions, kept the price competitive and when the time was right we were able to leverage multiple offers to secure a great deal for them.”
You’ve probably seen articles and heard people talking about the crazy sales that are happening during COVID-19.
We’re here to tell you that it’s true. The market is doing things it has never done before and as we’ve studied the market, we have found that there’s one crucial component you MUST do to make sure you take full advantage of it.
The number one secret for a successful real estate sale in these chaotic times is hiring a real estate agent who is staying on top of the market.
Things are changing every day. Properties that once wouldn’t fetch over $200,000 are selling for $230,000 with multiple offers. Buyer agents are having to be creative with their offer terms to stand out. Listings that were averaging 3 to 4 months on the market are going from listed to closed in 3 to 4 WEEKS.
In a fast-paced market, the smartest move you can make is to work with a listing and buying agent who can keep you advised on the latest trends and updates and can help you stand out in a competitive market.
Read on to find out why who you work with is the most important real estate decision you’ll make.
1. A good agent sets the tone for your transaction
When it came to listing 10781 Royal Cypress Way we knew that our seller’s top priority was to maximize the price for their property.
They were moving into a beautiful new construction home that wouldn’t be ready for a few months so a quick sale wasn’t crucial.
2. A good agent brands your property to the market of the moment
For all of our properties, we use HDR photos and videos as the base requirements. Plus, during COVID we realized that the best way to keep our clients safe also happened to be a great way to expose our listings to buyers that weren’t based in our area.
We shifted our focus to virtual marketing - we created a narrated video tour of the property as well as a 3D Matterport virtual tour, all of which are showcased on our property webpage and then used targeted Facebook and Instagram ads to advertise the property in markets with high migration rates to Central Florida.
All of this was a great start. What really sealed the deal was keeping our sellers apprised of changes in the market and staying in touch with their priorities. As we got closer to their move out date, time became more of a factor.
We advised our clients to adjust the sale price to our initial market estimate, a number supported by the comparable sold homes on the market, and used that change to breathe new life into the listing with social media ads and a luxury magazine placement.
Within weeks of the price adjustment, we had multiple offers for our seller to choose from - one of which ended up being the offer they accepted and closed on, $100K above list price.
3. A good agent makes your sale as smooth as possible
Even the easiest of transactions (all cash, no inspections or appraisals, if you’re curious) have many points where things can get tricky. Real estate is emotional and agents who don’t stay on top of all of the moving pieces and feelings can watch a perfect deal fall apart in an instant.
We overcome this in a few ways. First, we have a dedicated transaction coordinator who handles every step from contract to close and makes sure that no detail is missed. Secondly, we have at least two sets of eyes on every single thing that happens. Lastly, we keep in constant contact with our clients to make sure that their questions are being answered, their feelings are being heard, and that they are being represented the way they want to be every step of the way.
Many agents have a “take-no-prisoners” approach to negotiations, but we know that not only does it feel better to end everything on a good note, it’s also financially advantageous for our clients and we do everything we can to make sure that every transaction ends with all parties feeling their best.
We’ve got to say, these steps are much easier said than done. Many agents work at them but very few excel the way that we do.
If having a successful real estate transaction is important to you, send us a message today to info@abodehometeam.com to find out how we can help you exceed your home goals.
Enjoyed these insights and looking forward to more?
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Steven Ritz, Buyer Specialist - Call 321-277-8271 or email here
Linda Sitek, Listing Specialist - Call 407-963-6544 or email here
Brought to you by Abode at Keller Williams Winter Park Realty
