If you're a seasoned home seller like myself (I've sold four homes of my own, and am about to sell my fifth), you should have by proxy learned some hard lessons about what not do so in the sale of your home.  Most home sellers learn these by experience, and in this case, experience unfortunately means loss of money. 

Home selling can be a positive experience if you understand the lessons learned from people like myself and other seasoned home sellers.  Here now is the list of twelve!

  1. Don't overprice your home.  It will cost YOU money!  Christopher Smith and Traditions Real Estate gives you a free market analysis and lots more.  Use it's suggestions and you will actually net more money at closing time.
  2. Don't be surprised if the first offer on your property is the best offer you receive.  We have testimonials regarding our "first offer" scenarios.
  3. Don't let your property sit on the market too long before making a significant change in price (or it will get stale).  Christopher Smith and Traditions Real Estate provides monthly pricing updates based upon competition selling in the neighborhood.
  4. Don't think all real estate agents and their companies are created equal.  They are not!  Find an agent/company with a great track record and proven home marketing system.  Traditions Real Estate has a proven track record.
  5. Don't list with a real estate agent just because they charge the least or the most.  Look for the best VALUE.  Consider the company's track record with sellers and buyers.  Ask them to show you how they actually make you money.
  6. Don't look just at the price the buyer offers.  Analyze the total package including buyer qualifications, contingencies, closing dates, extra costs, and over thirty other considerations.  Christopher Smith is an expert in evaluating the real net proceeds of a contract.
  7. Don't forget buyers will shop around looking for the "BEST BUY."  You are in competition with other sellers for your buyer's attention.  Christopher Smith and Traditions Real Estate knows how to position the features and benefits of your home to create that attention!
  8. Don't forget that if real estate agents don't see your property as a good value, they will take their buyers elsewhere.  Christopher Smith immerses the top 10% of all agents in the Cedar Rapids area into your home through direct mail, email, and other correspondence.
  9. Don't believe those who tell you newspaper ads sell homes; they don't!  You need a comprehensive marketing plan tailored to your property and your needs.  Christopher Smith and Traditions Real Estate has a marketing plan to fit your needs and timeline.
  10. Don't make it difficult for agents and buyers to see your home.  Buyers want to look at THEIR convenience.  We can have your life and showings co-exist!
  11. Don't overlook the value of merchandising your home.  Make it look its very best.  Christopher Smith and Traditions Real Estate are experts at staging your home for success!
  12. Don't forget that you control the pricing of your home, how it looks, and the overall marketing plan, but it is the BUYERS who control VALUE.  If buyers won't pay your price, the house remains faithfully yours.  Turning down offers will happen, but when you do, you are really buying your home for that amount.

Christopher Smith

Traditions Real Estate

www.christophersmithrealtor.com

christopher.smith.realtor@gmail.com

319-329-5988

Licensed Realtor in the state of Iowa