home seller Archives - Page 21 of 30 - Real Estate News and Commentary

October 30, 2014July 5, 2019

When Selling a Home – stay away from gimmicks & listen to buyers

You’ve probably heard a story or two about a home that was priced very low to “create a buzz” and illicit a bidding war. And in fact, there was a 2012 article in a local newspaper about such a sale in DC that touted the rebounding housing market. But guess what? A recently published study, with robust empirical data, suggests that such a strategy may not be the best for a home seller. Furthermore, the study suggests evidence that real estate agents who recommend under pricing as a strategy believe that homes listed for less – sell for less than comparable homes.

Bucchianeri & Minson (A Homeowner’s Dilemma: Anchoring in Residential Real Estate Transactions. Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization. May 2013: 76–92) collected and compared data related to “anchoring” (higher list price to prompt buyers to make higher offers) and “herding” (lower list prices intended to creating bidding wars) theories. Although actual sale prices may depend on location and time on market, the conclusions are that homes listed at higher prices sold for more than those that relied on bidding up the price. The authors suggest that sellers should think twice before under pricing their home to create a bidding war; and suggest that results from such strategies are typically anecdotal.

If setting a higher price may translate into a longer time on market, how could you know if you are priced too high or low? Listen to home buyers. A study conducted by Case, Shiller, & Thompson (“What have they been Thinking? Homebuyer Behavior in Hot and Cold Markets.” Brookings Papers on Economic Activity. 2012: 265-315) of 25 years of data in four metropolitan areas concluded that there is a strong relationship between buyer’s perception of price trends and actual price changes; the stronger the price trend (in either direction), the stronger the agreement among home buyers perceptions.

Home buyers’ short term and long term expectations of home prices can differ. And although Case, Shiller, & Thompson indicate that it is more difficult to gauge long term pricing expectations, they were undoubtedly impressed that buyers’ were “out in front” of short term home price changes. They stated, “…We find that homebuyers were generally well informed, and that their short-run expectations if anything underreacted to the year-to-year change in actual home prices.”

If deciding on your home’s selling price gives you a headache, Stefanos Chen wonders if taking a Tylenol could assist in making a decision. In his October 23^rd Wall Street Journal article (Can Tylenol Ease the Pain of a Home Sale?), Chen reported of to-be-published research that indicates taking the pain reliever may ease the anguish associated with “loss-aversion” (an avoidance of a perceived loss).

“Can acetaminophen reduce the pain of decision-making?” by DeWall, Chester & White is expected to be published in the January volume of the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology (pages 117-120). The results indicate that those who took acetaminophen sold a mug (that was given to them 30 seconds prior) for significantly less than those who tool a placebo. Chen’s question whether taking a Tylenol could help a seller take a lower sales price is a stretch, considering that the study was limited to 95 college student subjects. Although further research is indicated, the study’s conclusions may have implications to lessening the “pain” of letting go of ownership.

By Dan Krell
© 2014

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Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws.

October 24, 2014July 5, 2019

Trendy is not for home staging

Departing from the safety of natural materials and earth tones, big and bold interior design has become popular this year. Many designers have talked about 2014 as the year of using bright colors, brass and other yellow metals throughout the house. But if you’re selling your home, tread cautiously– because trendy may not be the best choices for staging your listed home.

Kelly Walters of HGTV (Color Trends: What’s New, What’s Next?; hgtv.com) talked about color use in the home, over the last ten years, being a reflection of our need for safety after 9/11 and the Great Recession. However, this is the year for change, and it’s reflected in the colors we choose for our interiors. A palette of gray hues is replacing the use of browns as the favorite neutral color; while reds, pinks, and violets are trending in popularity.

Using brass throughout the house has been the buzz during 2014. Kate Watson-Smyth reported the popularity of brass (Why brass is back as the new must-have metal for home décor; Financial Times, January 24, 2014; ft.com) as being a trend moving away from shine towards warmer tones. The use of brass and similar metals has also expanded from stylish bathroom finishes and hardware to fixtures as well as furniture.

Remember wallpaper? It’s back! Realtor® Magazine’s Barbara Ballinger wrote about how wallpaper has made a comeback. Relegated to accents, wallpaper is once again acceptable as wall covers (Wallpaper: Back in the Game; Realtor® Magazine, October 2014; realtormag.realtor.org). The new generation of wallpapers are eco-friendly and easier to use; inks are typically water based, while many papers are designed as “peel and stick” to be easily removed and reused.

Kitchens are important to many of us, and what could be better for the home chef than their own hydroponic garden. On her blog The Entertaining House, Jessica Ryan (jessicagordonryan.com) describes the Chef’s Garden Wall hydroponic system, “Fresh is the new green.” Because some kitchen hydroponic systems are low maintenance, you don’t necessarily have to be a gardener to have fresh greens at your finger tips all year.

Although trendy interior design may seem modern and stylish, it may not be the best choices when selling your home. Melissa Tracey wrote in her Home Trends Blog (5 Design Trends You May Want to Avoid in Staging; August 11, 2014; blogs.realtor.org), “Staging in trendy fabrics, colors, and finishes may offer up buyers a feeling that the home is up-to-date and move-in-ready. But getting too trendy can also backfire, particularly if it’s too personalized.”

And about those interior design trends I listed above? Tracey says to “steer clear.” Although wallpaper may be a tempting and easy way to brighten up a room, she says to stick with paint because wallpaper may interfere with a buyers’ vision of living in the room. And when painting, she says that trendy colors may be “too bold” for buyers; sellers should stick with neutral colors, using bolder colors as accents (such as pillows, rugs, and lamps). And although many designers are going all in on brass, it’s best to use it sparingly as accents when staging your home. The trend toward doorless kitchen cabinets is to be avoided, because buyers will undoubtedly ask “Where are the doors?” And finally, Tracey points out that the highly popular Tuscan and French Provincial themes are giving way to transitional and contemporary styles.

By Dan Krell
©2014

September 26, 2014November 23, 2021

Don’t leave money on the table

A nagging concern that is often expressed by many home sellers is that they are leaving money on the table; in other words selling for too little. The dilemma often presented to a home seller is that if the home is priced too high, then there is risk eliminating potential home buyers; while at a lower price, there is risk selling at a less than desirable price.

Pricing a home is both a science and art. Skilled agents employ mathematical formulas as a foundation upon which to build a case for a range of sale price (the science); as well as demonstrating their ability of making price adjustments for variations in improvements, updates, as well as intangibles (the art).

But it may not necessarily be your home’s list price that can set you up to leave money on the table. Examining how your home is marketed, as well as your motivations and reasons for selling may reveal a weakness in your negotiation position as a result of convenience.

Selling a home can be disruptive to your daily life; and the prospect of having people, whom you’ve never met, traipse through your home can be unsettling. The typically limited and highly targeted private placement or pre-listing marketing may offer the convenience of limiting buyer traffic to your home, but its appeal is sometimes promoted to increase the potential of the agent receiving both sides of the commission.

Before you agree to a marketing plan that promises exclusive home buyer targeting; consider that many experts make the argument that you can leave money on the table when limiting your home’s exposure to potential buyers. In a world where everything and everyone seems electronically connected, you can increase the buyer pool by taking advantage of every reasonable marketing opportunity (including the internet and local listservs, and electronic bulletin boards, and other acceptable marketing tactics).

The process of selling a home can also be emotional and time consuming; more so if you’re divorcing and selling marital property, or selling your parents’ or grandparents’ home (sometimes because of a move to an assisted living facility or to settle an estate). The convenience of a quick sale can be very tempting; but can also set you up for selling for too little. And if the home is in need of repairs, updating, and renovations, the pricing can be unclear and inaccurate adding to the pressure for a quick sale.

You might even be considering responding to an ad promising a fast home sale without real estate commissions, repairs or home inspections – which is alluring to be sure. However, consider that many of these operations are seeking to purchase homes at a fraction of retail value minus repair costs.

Unfortunately, there is no “real time” measure to determine if you’re selling your home for too little; and some home sellers often lament in hindsight selling at a lower price out of convenience. However, a little homework and investigation can at least better your negotiating position. Ask questions and understand the purpose, benefits and limitations of a private placement or pre-listing marketing. Additionally, you can get pricing guidance from a market analysis, obtained from at least two (three is better) neighborhood real estate agents. And finally, weigh the pros and cons of selling out of convenience to the process of selling on the open market (listing the home in the MLS).

Original published at https://dankrell.com/blog/2014/09/26/dont-leave-money-on-the-table/

September 12, 2014November 23, 2021

Getting home buyers into your listing – sellers and agents take note

Some economists have discussed how consumers are increasingly “shopping” rather than buying. And this is evident in the housing market, where home buyers have become overly discerning about their purchases. After what seemed to be a brief seller’s market, we find ourselves slipping back into a buyer’s market; and an old dilemma is reemerging: how are you going to get more buyer traffic and more offers on your home?

If your home has been on the market for while, check with your agent to review feedback from those who visited your home. Typical responses focus on price, home condition, and how the home shows. If you’re about to list your home, have some neighbors and friends tour the home (as if they were home buyers) to provide an alternate perspective of your home’s selling points and shortcomings.

Pricing your home correctly is critical to selling in a reasonable time frame. Your agent should keep you up to date with neighborhood sales activity, so you can remain competitive with other relevant listings. Recent neighborhood sales trends (1-3-6 months) can indicate where your price range should fall, as well as understanding the types of homes that are selling.

One of the main objections you may have heard from home buyers, is that your home “needs work,” which has a number of meanings. Of course, it may mean your home does need updating and/or repairing; in which case you should discuss with your agent about the possibility of making updates/repairs, and/or adjusting the price to reflect any needed updates/repairs. Before you decide to go all out on a renovation, consider making updates that are equivalent to your neighborhood and price range; over spending may not significantly increase your home value. If your home is updated and shows well, another meaning of “needing work” comes from the buyer wanting a turn-key home; and your updates/renovations do match their tastes and preferences.

Another issue to consider is that although your home may be updated and clean, you just may have too much stuff! Lots of furniture, wall hangings, and other stuff can make large rooms feel cramped and small, as well as give a busy and unsettling vibe. If this sounds like your home, consider removing items that can distract and detract from your home’s true elegance and style.

If your home is not getting many showings, another factor to address (independent of price, condition and clutter) is how your home is marketed. If you haven’t done so, look at your MLS listing; are you satisfied with the pictures, and remarks? Keep in mind that about 96% of home buyers search online and make decisions based on what they see and read. Home sellers, like you, are savvy and know that solely hanging a sign and posting a MLS listing is no longer acceptable to market a home. Ask your agent to update you on active marketing efforts, as well as other resources that may be used to market your home, including: local and global networks of agents and buyers; as well as using the internet and SEO (search engine optimization) to get buyers interested in your home.

If you’re home has been on the market for a while, you might consider addressing any of these issues to boost home buyer activity. If you’re considering a sale in the near future; have a plan of action before you list, so your sale does not languish.

July 30, 2014November 23, 2021

The anonymity of the internet has made real estate more personal

It might not be a revelation that the initial news about Zillow’s acquisition of Trulia reverberated among the analysts as a game changer for the real estate industry. But you might be surprised that some commentaries, such as Brad Stone’s of BloomburgBusinessWeek.com (How a Zillow-Trulia Merger Could Finally Change the Business of Real Estate), expressed that the transaction of buying and selling homes has not really changed since the inception of these internet giants.

Compared to 2013, decreased sales volume has made 2014 a challenging year for many in the real estate industry. And contrary to what some believe, the Trulia acquisition may not necessarily be a sign of strength; but rather, it may be sign of continued weakness in the industry. Tim Logan comments on the acquisition in his July 28^th Los Angeles Times article (Zillow deal to buy Trulia creates real estate digital ad juggernaut), “Neither is yet profitable separately, but they hope to save $100 million a year by joining forces and cutting duplicative costs.”

Regardless of the economics behind the acquisition, the significance of Zillow and Trulia (and other similar websites) cannot be underestimated. And although many believed these sites were to have changed the real estate industry in a manner similar to how the internet changed the travel and retail industries; Zillow and Trulia have been leaders in transforming the home buyer and seller experience. And instead of minimizing the importance of the real estate agent; MLS aggregators have become facilitators and part of the home buying/selling process by packaging syndicated MLS feeds and other related information to consumers in a convenient and eloquent way through the internet, while selling services to real estate professionals vis-à-vis subscriptions and advertising.

The general process of buying and selling a home is still somewhat the same as it has been for decades. Before internet access became prevalent, real estate agents mostly met with their clients in person to review available home listings, discuss financing and other related matters. Although many used the technology of the day (fax machine and telephone), the preferred meeting was face-to-face. As the internet flourished, technology adopters were able to correspond with clients via email, text messages, and Skype. And as the technology evolved, so too did the daily business of real estate. Searching for homes became increasingly streamlined, and the flow of documents became more efficient.

Some have made the argument that the internet and related technologies may have been an enabler of the real estate bubble of the early to mid 2000’s. However, the reality may be that the real estate bubble facilitated the growth of real estate aggregators and the use of internet technologies. The proliferation of information at that time, along with the effective use of new technologies, fed house hungry buyers who wanted to be the first to know about a home for sale before other buyers. Internet and cell phone applications were developed to automatically send listing alerts to buyers’ emails and cell phones (technology that is commonly used today and even useful in hot markets where homes sell quickly).

Buying and selling a home is still a personal business. Instead of eliminating the real estate agent; websites such as Zillow and Trulia may have forced the agent to evolve from the information gate keeper to the local real estate expert who can interpret information for clients into meaningful data that can be used to facilitate the buying and selling of homes.

Disclaimer. This article is not intended to provide nor should it be relied upon for legal and financial advice. Readers should not rely solely on the information contained herein, as it does not purport to be comprehensive or render specific advice. Readers should consult with an attorney regarding local real estate laws and customs as they vary by state and jurisdiction. This article was originally published the week of July 28, 2014 (Montgomery County Sentinel). Using this article without permission is a violation of copyright laws. Copyright © Dan Krell.