Market-ready = Move-in condition

The other night one of my colleagues, Marie Graham of the Refreshed Home, gave  a talk ‘Getting your home noticed and SOLD!’ which I attended. During her presentation, Marie - who is a specialist in Home Staging - made a comment which really got me thinking: “In a buyer’s mind, market-ready means move-in condition”.

I am a realtor, by definition: a seller’s agent.  I represent the home owner. It is my duty to act in the best fiduciary interest of my client – the seller.  As a Realtor, my job is to get the best price for my client’s property. In order to do that, I spend a great deal of time and effort researching the market to find comparable properties in the neighborhood which have recently been sold. (‘Comps.’, as they are called, are properties which are similar in location, price range, style, square footage, number of rooms and other amenities). Based on the sales prices of those ‘sold’ properties and after making some adjustments, I am able to determine a fair price.

But, setting the price is only one side of the equation. Before I can even begin the price-setting task, my pre-sales preparation team has to ensure that the property is market-ready. That means, the property has to make the best possible impression on potential buyers.

However, while I am focused on buyer’s impressions, the buyer’s mind-set never occurs to me. But it should.

When a buyer sees a market-ready property, that house and the surrounding grounds have been de-cluttered and spruced-up so that they look their best. Rooms have been painted; appliances and other things have been repaired and updated, where necessary. As a result, the ‘market-ready’ house is actually in ‘move-in condition’. The seller could move-out today and the new owner could move-in tomorrow without having to do any additional work OR spending more money! That is a HUGE consideration!

Imagine the amount of money, as well as the additional headaches and work a house in move-in condition saves the new owner. Moving house is physically strenuous and financially stressful enough without having to think about what has to be done to make the new house live-able. Furthermore, because many people – especially young families – put most of their money into the down-payment, they may not have much left to fix-up their new home (buy new carpeting, replace appliances, etc.).

So what does that mean to you - the seller? It means that a potential buyer may buy a ‘market-ready’ house which is in ‘move-in condition’, BEFORE buying one that needs work!

Your bottom line: Why let a potential buyer purchase a similar house down the street when he could buy yours instead? Make your house market-ready, so the buyer can move-in immediately.

For more tips on making your house market-ready, please visit my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TimeIsMoneyNY?ref=hl or my Coldwell Banker website http://www.coldwellbankermoves.com/?IsBranded=1&AgentID=16359