By Mark Abromaitis
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE
For anyone worried that the fall months are a bad time to sell their house, Maureen Hughes, an agent for Keller Williams Real Estate, has some positive news.
Hughes says the fall months remain as good a time as any to sell a home. “It pays to stay in the market during the fall,” she says. “Despite typically having less buyers, those who are looking for a home during this time are more serious about purchasing.
“And there’s usually less inventory so the people who are selling have less competition.” Hughes says the secret to selling your house in the autumn is simple: “Make sure you price it right.”
Hughes explains that to accurately determine the price of a home, a seller should check other sales of comparable houses in the same area over the past six months.
Proper pricing
“Only look at the prices in the past few months because that’s what the home appraisers do.” Hughes says.
Setting the price realistically is critical because “if the home is listed too high, buyers just won’t be able to get a mortgage for the house.
“Despite what a few in the media are saying, Philadelphia and its suburbs are not a weak market; it’s a consistent market,” she adds. And few real estate agents know the market better than Hughes, having been a licensed agent for over eighteen years, she has such a good track record that 72% of her clients are repeat or referral business.
Use some foresight
Hughes says in addition to pricing your home properly, you must also show it in the right condition—clean and clutter free. But no one decides to move overnight. Ann's Choice Retirement Counselor Marie Dmoch says if you are considering moving in the next few months or next year, start preparing now.
“As a seller, talk to a professional a few months before you’re ready,” Dmoch says.