Let’s chat about some reasons why homes in the Lafayette area don’t sell and some ways you can make them more sellable. Even a little love can make a big difference.
Reasons a Lafayette-Area Home Doesn’t Sell
Price
Everyone is thinking location, location, location, but if the price is right, ANY location will sell. In this market, you cannot UNDER price a home. If it’s too low, the market (read: buyers who have been patiently waiting on the sidelines) will push it up, usually resulting in multiple offers. If you OVER price it, it will sit and sit. If you know someone whose house is listed in Greater Lafayette and it is just sitting, it’s overpriced.
Condition
No one wants to invest in junk. Walk through your home with a buyer’s eyes. What will concern them? What will they love? What do you have the capacity to improve? Even some little things can make a huge difference in how your home presents to buyers.
Market
Is the market up or is it down? Are things in Greater Lafayette moving or sitting? You need a LOCAL market expert (someone who sells 50% or more of their annual sales in your area) to guide you through the process from beginning to end.
Negotiations
Are you working with an expert negotiator? Have they negotiated a sale in the last 30 days, knowing current market conditions in the Lafayette area? Negotiations can be a win-win if you’re working with the right players. Find an agent who has a good rapport with other local Realtors.
Consumer Confidence
Consumer confidence is almost always affected by market conditions. As mortgage rates settle and home prices flatten, consumer confidence will grow.
As you can see, condition and price are the only two things the seller controls. The rest is completely out of the seller’s hands. That said, there ARE some ways to make your home more sellable.
Ways to Make Your Home More Sellable
Clean It
Some homes are just dirty. We live in our homes differently than we market them. Take the time to give your home a good, deep cleaning. And, if you don’t have the time, make the investment in hiring someone to do the job for you.
Freshen Up Your Curb Appeal
Odds are good that potential buyers will drive by your home before they schedule an appointment. How does it look from the outside? Are your trash cans visible? Is your landscaping tired and overgrown? Does your roof have moss on it? These are all fixable things that don’t have to cost a fortune to change.
Let There be Light!
While it might hurt your eyes, or ruin your screen consumption, a simple way to make your home more sellable is to simply uncover your windows. Remove curtains or furniture that are blocking the sun!
Empty Your Closets
You’ll be packing that space eventually, so why not get a start on it now? Let potential buyers see how much space they’ll have and how ready you are to get out of there.
Know Your Competition
While your neighbor’s home might have sold for $XXX,XXX two years ago, what are buyers looking at and comparing to your home RIGHT NOW? You should keep up to date on who your competition is and what sets your home apart. HINT: an experienced local Realtor with experience here in Lafayette can help you big time with this.
Speaking of helping, if I can craft a plan to get your home in tip-top shape to sell, give me a shout! My team and I are here to make your real estate goals happen as smoothly as possible.
Great listing guidance, thanks for sharing your knowledge!