Tips for Home Sellers

There’s a lot that goes into successfully selling your home, from listing at the right time to hiring the right agent. But there’s one asset you might not have thought of that can make or break your home sale — and that’s the right photos.

A recent article in the Washington Post explored the importance of photos in the home selling process, and the results were astounding.

The article, which examined data from various real estate sources (including the National Association of Realtors®, Trulia, Redfin, and real estate photography company VHT), found that 87 percent of buyers relied on photos to help them make a decision on a home, and 84 percent of buyers wouldn’t even consider a property that didn’t have listing photos.

While any photos are better than no photos at all, the most benefit comes from professional home photos; professionally photographed homes sell 32 percent faster — and demand as much as 47 percent higher asking price per square foot — than listings without professional photos.

In summary, If you’ve been thinking about listing your home, photos are a non-negotiable. And if you want your home to sell quickly (and profitably!), you should definitely consider hiring a Realtor® (like Russ Fortuno) who always uses a professional photographer to capture the perfect shots.

When it comes to selling your home, you want to make sure you list and sell at the right time. But the “right time” can vary from person to person. So how, exactly, do you know the best time to sell for you? In a recent video, the team at Realtor.com explained five key factors to consider when determining the best time to sell, including:

• Getting ahead of the competition. While many home sellers in Quail Creek think January through March is the best time to sell, listing your home from in the Summer and Fall can help you get ahead of the competition — and help your home stand out to buyers. And, since the best time to sell in other parts of the country is usually Spring and Summer, many buyers relocating from cooler climates are typically shopping for homes here during the Summer months.
• Your local market. Obviously, there are national trends in the real estate market that you want to pay attention to — but not all areas follow those national trends. Before you decide to list your home, make sure you dig deep into what’s going on with the local Quail Creek market, and how those conditions might impact your home sale.
• Mortgage rate trends. When mortgage rates drop, more buyers hit the market. So keeping an eye on interest rates can help you anticipate when more people might be looking to buy, and you can use that information to determine the best time to sell.
• The condition of your home. Making minor repairs before you list your home can make a huge difference on how fast (and how profitably) you sell. So before you list your home, make sure to take stock of any potential issues and make any necessary repairs.
• Personal preparedness. The only person who can determine the best time to sell your home is YOU—so before you put your home on the market, make sure you’re ready and it’s an ideal time in your life for you to make a move.

So when it comes to sell your home, there’s no right or wrong answers or “perfect” time to sell. But these factors can help you determine the best time to sell for you, your family, your home, and your life.