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The real estate market is slowly recovering, but people entering it now will still be competing in a down market. Fortunately, the outcome of a housing sale isn’t completely outside of a seller’s control. In a down economy, sellers will simply have to pay more attention to the factors that will improve their chances.
A sought-after location is essential in real estate, and sellers in Florida will already have an advantage over sellers in many other states. Florida is a relatively popular U.S. state, and many people famously move here for retirement. Florida is also a popular location for a second home. While fewer and fewer people have the money to retire today, many Florida cities show a positive job outlook compared to the job outlook in other areas. Of course, Florida’s beautiful weather is as good as ever.

Real Estate Sales and Timing

Succeeding in real estate often requires very specific timing. The weekday on which a home is listed can affect the results of the sale. The season in which a home is sold can make all the difference. In a down market, sellers really should take advantage of every technique that could work in their favor.
Sellers should get their homes on the market by springtime. Potential buyers will have already completed their taxes in the early spring, meaning they will have already cleared away one set of expenses and potentially received some new funds in the form of tax refund money. Buyers also typically want to move during the summer, so they will want to do their housing searches earlier. Sellers that get their houses listed during the springtime will be tilting the odds in their favor.
Sellers that put up the listings for their homes on a Thursday may have an advantage over competitors that post their listings on different days. Listing a house on Thursday gives sellers the opportunity to make their homes visible to potential customers by the weekend, which is when most people want to start or complete transactions related to real estate. The less time homes spend on the housing market, the easier they will be to sell. Getting a home sold and off the market quickly is key, and homeowners should be aware of the fact that the longer their homes spend on the housing market, the more their odds of making a successful sale decrease.

Real Estate and Repairs

Homeowners that have neglected any home improvement projects need to get them done before they place their homes on the market. Being able to tell potential buyers, for instance, that a new addition was added to a house or the plumbing is in perfect shape is advantageous.
Some homeowners may even be able to benefit from getting a home inspection in advance. They can include the home inspector’s positive report in the open house, giving buyers even more assurance that they’re choosing a good home. Attitudes towards real estate are changing, but many people still view homes as investments. Many buyers are wary of purchasing a home that requires costly repairs, and being able to reassure them otherwise will help all sellers.

Real Estate and Presentation Tips

Making a good impression on people coming to see the house during a showing can make or break a sale. Buyers can be influenced by very tiny details. Buyers will have an abundance of choice in the current market, and homeowners must present their homes at their best.
As buyers are approaching a given home, they should already be intrigued. Homeowners that are good at gardening could spruce up their yards and plant some flowers. They also may want to touch up the exterior of their homes. It’s a good idea to repaint a home before selling it, especially if the paint has noticeably degraded.
Not all buyers will have enough time for home improvement projects. Plenty of people have to sell homes quickly, particularly during a time of shaky finances where people change jobs quickly. However, those people will still be able to clean their homes and clean their yards. Presenting buyers with a tidy and uncluttered home still counts for a lot. There are also things that homeowners can do in only one day that will improve the presentation of their homes.

Simple Improvements for Selling a Home

Doing something as simple as letting in the natural light by drawing open the curtains can make a home look more picturesque to a lot of people. Florida is famous for its sunshine, and homeowners should take advantage of this absolutely free asset. The home should be well-lit in general, so using all artificial light can help. Having beautiful lamps and attractive lighting fixtures is another asset.
Homeowners should capitalize on all the senses when they are trying to sell a home. People that enjoy baking can bake just before an open house, thus filling the home with the smell of baked goods and creating the impression of hearth and home.
Oddly enough, homeowners may want to put away family photographs and drawings that their children did, or other emblems of their specific personal lives. Buyers need to be able to imagine themselves as the future owners, and the illusion is shattered when they see other people’s memories before them. Still, professional artwork and tasteful decorations can brighten any home, as long as they are not ostentatious.
The housing market can fluctuate quickly. Improving the look of a home is useful regardless of the housing market, which is why homeowners should feel motivated to do so regardless of the state of modern real estate.

Competition is the name of the game in the real estate market. But what happens when your competition is your next door neighbor? The family that you have grown to know and love over the past few years? Of course, you have you and your family’s best interest as a priority, but these were people that helped you in times of need. What can you do to keep things civil, yet still increase your chances of selling for top-dollar? Things like joint open houses, and activities to “sell” the entire neighborhood help, but do not forget to celebrate if your neighbor happens to sell before you do. Be supportive in all aspects of the journey. Visit RealEstate.MSN.COM for more tips on how to sell your home with competitors on the very same street.