It’s no secret that we are living in a hot sellers’ market right now. In Chester County real estate alone, median home prices have increased by 10% from August, 2019 to August, 2020; the number of properties sold increased by 21%, and the average days on market decreased by 32%! Homes are going under contract after multiple offer situations, and buyers are looking in the highly desirable school districts that Chester County has to offer. If you have been considering a move, this is a great time. The market does not show signs of cooling down (even though the outside temps are). To be prepared to list, consider taking a few key steps first.
- Have a licensed PA REALTOR conduct an on-site home evaluation. Sites like Zillow are great for a potential snapshot of your home’s current value, however, they do not take into account the unique characteristics of your home and/or your neighborhood. As the real estate market moves rapidly, a local expert in your area will be able to adjust based on present conditions, not from 6 months or a year ago.
- Determine your next steps. Do you need to find another home before you sell? Identify your timeline and communicate that with your agent. An agent that listens to your needs and helps advise you based on your situation is key.
- Prepare your home for sale – including a pre-inspection. Knowing of potential issues up-front will not only make you prepared for what a buyer might uncover, it will also show prospective buyers that you are take great care of the property. Many homes in Chester County have stucco and/or private water and sewer. In these cases, it is especially important to identify any potential problems, as buyers have been known to walk away when they discover issues during the home inspection period.
- Remove clutter, drapes, and wall scuffs. In the age of HGTV, home design shows, and the internet, buyers have been conditioned to expect “picture perfect”, move-in ready homes during the buying process. Make sure that your home is well lit, spruce up the paint on the walls and ceilings (and the front door), and remove excess clutter and furniture from your space.
- Clean up the yard. No matter how long ago your home was built, mother nature has a way of creeping in. Remove any dead or dying plants, weed and mulch the gardens, repair cracks in the walkways and driveways, and keep bikes/toys in the garage or other storage area. The outside of your home is the first thing that prospective buyers will see. Make sure that the first impression is a stellar one.
Following these simple tips, along with the help and advice of a quality REALTOR, will help you get one step closer to the positive outcome you desire. If you have any questions about the selling process, or would like a no obligation home evaluation for your home, please feel free to contact me.
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