Has a new season of life opened up the possibility of relocation? Perhaps it’s time to downsize your empty nest or expand for a growing family. Regardless of the reason, your Bergenfield realtor stands ready to help answer your questions and make your transition as smooth as possible. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions Linda Stamker gets from homeowners.
-
Can you provide an overview of the home-selling process?
If home-selling is a journey, your Bergenfield agent is your tour guide. From initial discussions about your property’s strengths and areas for improvement to the handing over of the keys on closing day, your agent is your chief ally and advocate, navigating the legal paperwork, the negotiations, the marketing, and the strategy. Your agent knows the process and can help you understand what is ahead.
Selling a home requires a great deal of physical and emotional energy. It also can come with a hefty price tag. Begin by critically assessing your home, inside and out. What repairs need to be made? What quirks have you learned to live with (like that squeaky door or leaky faucet) that will be a turn off to buyers? Make a list, prioritize it with the help of your agent, and go to work getting that house ready to showcase.
After the repairs are made, make your house’s best features shine. Give a fresh coat of paint, remove personal items, declutter closets and cabinets, and make your home bright and airy.
Once your house is on the market, create a plan for keeping it ready for touring. Look for ways to simplify your routine and have somewhere to go (for you, the family, and the pets) during showings.
When buyers love your home, they will make an offer of purchase, which will come to you through your Bergenfield realtor. This begins the negotiation process, in which you will exchange a series of offers and counter-offers until everyone is satisfied. Your agent will keep bringing potential buyers to your home until the right one decides to make the purchase.
After the contract is agreed upon, a home inspection usually follows. If any issues are discovered in the home inspection, the parties will negotiate how they will be resolved.
Once any necessary repairs are made and the buyers are satisfied, a closing date is set. If you haven’t already relocated, it’s time to move out.
At closing, documents are signed, and money and keys are exchanged.
-
What is happening currently in the local housing market?
Bergenfield real estate is currently in a seller’s market, and that is great news for you! Available housing inventory began to fall in July of 2022, and though numbers are increasing slightly, more people are looking to purchase homes than there are properties available. The median listing price for homes is $469,500 and homes typically remain on the market for less than two months.
-
When is the optimal time to list my home?
Just like the weather, real estate has its seasons. Most people looking to relocate begin making plans to do so in the springtime as days get longer and the weather gets warmer. To be ready for that uptick in buyers, have your home ready to list in late March or April, with buyers frequently wanting to close in May or June, especially if there are school-aged children involved.
-
What features do buyers want most?
Buyers in every market have several wishes in common . They want move-in-ready houses with plenty of space and plenty of storage. Since the pandemic, outdoor spaces, whether they be patios, porches, or yards are in great demand. As more and more people are returning to the office full-time, working at home is becoming somewhat less popular. However, flexible spaces that can be adapted into offices, libraries, playrooms, fitness rooms, and more offer broad-range appeal.
For the specific features that are selling well in your neighborhood, ask your agent.
-
What marketing tools/strategies will you employ to help sell my home?
Savvy real estate agents take advantage of digital tools and online resources that showcase all that is appealing about your home. More than 90% of homebuyers begin their search for new properties online, so learn all you can about your agent’s strategy for staging and professionally photographing your home.
The emotional connection is a factor that cannot be ignored when trying to attract a home buyer. Many realtors are opting for a cinematic experience in home marketing, one in which we see a life well-lived played out in your home. Some agents have created single-listing websites for homes, incorporating not only photos and video footage, but interesting stories and history that transform a property into a setting for the ideal lifestyle.
-
What is the advantage of listing with an agent versus “For sale by owner?”
Without a Bergenfield realtor, your house will not get the exposure that may lead to finding the perfect buyer. Many agents will discourage home buyers from considering for sale by owner transactions, as many things can go awry in the paperwork and legal processes. It is also not financially wise for a real estate agent to interact with these properties, as they likely will not receive a commission for their work. Additionally, agents have extensive professional networks of those who are looking to buy houses. They can connect you with far more potential buyers than you are able to find on your own, even if you are able to list your property on the MLS .
For the seller, representing the property yourself can be an emotionally exhausting and stressful experience. The homeowner has to be available around the clock to answer questions, book showings, and prepare the home for tours. He must prepare disclosures and legal forms, and perhaps the most difficult part is hearing the potential buyers’ criticisms and feedback about the home that he’s loved and invested in for so long.
Make your move
With your questions answered and a solid plan and timeline in place, right now is the time to get your Bergenfield real estate ready for spring time listing. Reach out to Linda Stamker for professional, relational service, and watch your home go from listed to sold in no time.