DISCOVER HOUSTON:
Here are important considerations for relocation home sellers
Anyone who has ever relocated knows how stressful and overwhelming the process can be, especially when they have a home to sell before they can purchase one in the new location.
Since things tend to move pretty fast once the relocation wheels are in motion, it is important for home sellers to be aware of several factors that can effectively expedite the marketing and sale of their current home.
Tess Chaney, relocation director for Martha Turner Sotheby’s International Realty, offers the following tips:
1.
Make sure the home is strategically priced and marketed.
“Sellers need to remember that a strategically priced and marketed home will have a competitive advantage over other homes in the area. Having a proactive mind-set when selling a home will not only allow sellers to attract active buyers, but can also relieve some of the stress involved, since they will be more likely to receive a suitable offer in shorter amount of time.”
2.
Have a clear understanding of the local real estate market, and what drives the home-buying process.
“Understanding the current market is also a factor that will aid in giving sellers a wide perspective on how the home buying process is achieved. Today, prospective purchasers are more educated and Internetoriented, so the decisionmaking process has been forever changed by the fact that with just a click of a button, information on a particular home or area can be displayed. That is why pricing competitively and setting expectations are such great tools for achieving a successful sale when relocating.”
3.
Choose a broker with an active presence in the neighborhood and/or market area.
“As most home sellers know, choosing a Broker to market their home can be an overwhelming process; however, it is a decision that will definitely be a crucial factor in the sale of a home. It is important for the listing Broker to have successful marketing strategies in place, while also having an active presence in the area, that includes current active listings, as well as recently sold properties. This will allow the home to be priced, positioned and marketed correctly, and maximize the exposure of the listing to a wider range of potential buyers.”
4.
Stage the home appropriately. “When placing the home on the market, home sellers need to understand the importance of staging it properly inside and out. By de-cluttering, depersonalizing and making sure that items are appropriately arranged will help potential buyers visual- ize themselves in the home.
The listing agent should give home sellers specific suggestions as to what can be done to create ideal spaces, and create the competitive edge that will make the home receive more attention and stand out over competing properties in the area. It is helpful for home sellers to change their mindset from the notion that ‘this is my home,’ to preparing it for another person or family to live in.”
5.
Engage in effective communication with the listing agent throughout the homesale process.
“Communication between the home seller and the listing agent is one of the most important elements of any successful home sale. Home sellers should always be honest and discuss their goals and expectations with their agent. Expectations regarding communication should be set at the onset of the listing by ensuring that all sellers are present at the initial listing appointment.
This will allow home sellers to feel confident that everyone is in agreement as to what and how the home will be handled while on the market.
Also, establishing a chain of communication, and understanding the timing of a relocation seller’s move will help to align the objectives of all of the parties involved once an offer has been received and presented.”
6.
Understand that teamwork is a critical factor in the relocation home sale process.
“Teamwork is a critical factor that will inevitably be part of the process, especially when the move is due to a corporate relocation. When that is the case, there are typically many different people involved in getting the property listed, the contract negotiated, inspections scheduled, etc. Thus, having a team player mindset will help the home seller achieve a successful transaction. Everyone involved is aiming for the same goal, which is to see to it that
a successful home sale is achieved, and to make the relocation process as seamless as possible.” 7. Keep an open mind. “When an offer comes in on the home, relocation sellers should keep an open mind, take emotions out of the process, and understand the purpose of their relocation. If a full price offer is not presented, home sellers shouldn’t wait for one to arrive. Instead, they should keep an open mind, remain motivated about selling the home, and get ready to move into the next chapter of their lives.”
Michelle Sandlin is an awardwinning writer, journalist and global mobility industry expert. She is a frequent contributor to Worldwide ERC’s Mobility magazine, and is vice president of creative strategies at AMBER Lodging Co.