Q: What home improvements yield the greatest value? 
 
A: Improvements that enhance curb appeal; fresh paint and landscaping will attract potential buyers and help secure more showings. Once inside, homebuyers are looking for comfort, function, and convenience. Minor kitchen remodels and additional bathrooms give the greatest return, followed by family room additions and bathroom remodeling. Additions and remodeling should be done by professional contractors and should be consistent with the rest of the house. The existing structure must be able to accommodate changes. Give special consideration to mechanicals. Take advantage of new technologies that will update lifestyle as well as the home. 

Q: When is the best time to sell? 

A: There is no "best" time. Generally the market is most active in the spring, but inventory tends to be greater. In the Greater Cincinnati, Northern Kentucky and Southeast Indiana markets home sales tend to slow down from November through the winter. However buyers during this time are serious and motivated. Changing interest rates, stock market fluctuations, weather, and politics may impact home sale activity. Local economies strongly influence home sales. Employment growth and stability will affect consumer optimism and spending. To determine the best time to sell, evaluate your marketplace and your personal situation. Remember there are always buyers who need homes. 

Q: What is the best way to sell for top dollar? 

A: Price and condition are important factors in selling a home. You only get one chance for a first impression; be sure to make the right impression. Your home should be in premium condition. Homes placed on the market prematurely usually sell for less and take longer to sell. Prospective buyers remember a home the way they see it. Buyers are attracted to a home by the way it makes them feel. Few buyers have the ability to visualize how a home might look. Before placing your home on the market clean, paint, organize, neutralize, and make necessary repairs. Hire professional contractors if needed. It can be hard to get a buyer to come back for a second look after the work is completed. The theory price high you can always come down is costly. It is a known fact that the longer a property is on the market the lower the offers tend to be. 

Q: How will I find a buyer for my home? 

A: According to the National Association of Realtors®, 86% of home buyers surveyed responded that they relied on a real estate broker/sales associate as a source of information during their home search. Recent research indicates over three fourths of homebuyers will use the Internet as a source of information. For sale signs and print advertising rank high as sources of information to prospective buyers. 

Q: How is the asking price determined? 

A: Value can be determined in several ways. A real estate agent can suggest a pricing strategy based on comparable sales and competitive homes on the market. This strategy will identify the most likely price a home will bring at a given time. A professional appraisal is an opinion of the value of a home based on the homes size, condition, amenities, and comparable sales. Beware that pricing is not distorted by an appraisal that is done for purposes other than selling the home and a pricing strategy that is proposed by an agent trying to "buy" a listing with an inflated asking price. Only the market can determine what a home will sell for. 

Q: If I sell For Sale By Owner will I save the commission? 

A: Not necessarily. A buyer will assume that the price will be reduced by the commission. A real estate transaction is a complicated process. Many do-it-yourself buyers and sellers have found the cost of a poorly managed transaction to be far greater than the perceived commission savings. National Association of Realtors® Home Buyer and Seller studies indicate that the average sale price of a “ FSBO” is less than the average sale price of an agent-assisted sale. 

Q: Should I find a new home before I sell the one I own now? 

A: If you do not sell your present home first, you must qualify to carry the debt of both properties. Budget conservatively in the event you have to make double payments for an extended period of time. Weigh the pros and cons. If you buy first you will know where you are going and how much it will cost. If you find a buyer first you may have more negotiating power on both your current home and the one you want to buy, and you will not have the pressure of double payments. A Guaranteed Sale Program can take the guesswork and risk out of this decision. 

Q: Should I have an appraisal, inspection, home warranty and title policy when I put my home on the market? 

A: A fee appraisal for the purpose of selling can reinforce pricing strategy or help determine value. It may give additional leverage in negotiating if it supports the asking price. Pre-sale home inspections can uncover potential problems. The seller has control of the remedy and the buyer will have prior knowledge of any defect prior to negotiation. This may eliminate the need to renegotiate accepted contracts because of unknown property conditions. Sellers who obtain a home warranty when they list the property will have the advantage of coverage for unexpected repairs to items included in the warranty while the property is listed. The warranty will provide value to the buyer and serves as a marketing tool. An owner’s title policy will protect the seller and buyer from unknown title defects. 

Q: What should I do if my home is not selling? 

A: In most cases homes do not sell because they are priced too high. Starting at a high price thinking you can always come down is a mistake. The assumption is that the buyer will make an offer. First, the wrong buyer is looking at the home. Second, motivated buyers do not waste time, they move on to what they perceive to be the best value. The property may require improvement. Make all necessary repairs and cosmetic enhancements. Realign your marketing strategies based on feedback and updated market information. Evaluate factors that may be affecting home sales and adjust accordingly. 

Q: Should I use a Real Estate Agent? 

A: Selling a home is a complicated process. A real estate agent will save you time, energy and money. Your agent can assist you in developing a pricing strategy that is consistent with the market. A real estate agent will have a network of professionals including lenders, appraisers, accountants, inspectors, attorneys, title companies, insurance agents, and contractors to assist you in a smooth transaction. A real estate agent will provide a marketing plan that will give you consistent exposure to capture more showings. A real estate agent will provide you information, feedback and guidance that will assist you in finding the buyer for your home. A real estate agent will help you negotiate and will manage the transaction from contract to closing.