Getting sold in today's market

Your a homeowner. You've been watching the Kelowna area real estate market. You want to move but hesitant as you notice where ever your driving around for whatever that there are lots of homes for sale and very few sold signs. To help you move forward successfully in today's market here's a few Seller's tips.

Irrespective of the ample supply of unsold homes the key to a successful home sale today remains the same. Price your home right for the market.  With your realtor correctly compare your home for sale and make certain that the listing receives excellent market exposure. Overpricing in current market conditions will just place you in the surplus of unsold homes.

Since the beginning of this year we've all been bombarded by housing market news that certain cities across Canada are smoking hot with market conditions in favour of Sellers and others not unlike the Kelowna area, have high inventory and downward pressure on prices in favor of Buyers.

In a Buyer's market Buyers are cautious and won't pay over what they perceive is market value ~ plain and simple.

As an oncoming Seller in the current market conditions, you may wonder whether it's worth it to spend money fixing your home for sale. The answer is YES!  Not only is it worth it, but it can be critical to selling at the highest price possible, particularly in neighborhoods where the supply is high. Ask your realtor if it makes sense to invest in some or all of the following mentioned items or discount your asking price accordingly:

• painting inside and out
• replace old light fxtures
• replace cabinet hardware
• floor coverings
• remove clutter inside and out
• interior and exterior cleaning detail ~ like Mr. Clean lives here
• correct 'deferred' maintenance
• regular landscaping upkeep ~ street appeal

Put yourself in the Buyer's shoes when preveiwing homes to buy. If you have a choice between a home that you can move into seamlessly ~ that is without raising a finger and one that needs a complete makeover. Majority of buyers won't even consider the house that needs an overhaul and the few that do, only at a significant discount!

OKANAGAN area

Okanagan Mainline Real Estate Board

"MARKET WATCH"

RESIDENTIAL

week up to June 3, 2011

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