How do you sell in a declining market? 
Here I am with Brian and Cathy Morris in front of their home that closed escrow on February 10, 2009.
The Morris' listed their home with me on 9/22/08. The days on market for their home was 144 DOM. The average DOM for homes that have sold between $400,000 and $500,000 in the last 12 month period is 246 days. Their home sold 42% faster than the average home in their price range.
How was this accomplished in a declining market?
Brian and Cathy did everything right. They:
- Investigated agents on the internet prior to asking any over to their home for a face to face interview. Cathy found my blog and liked what she read, inviting me to be one of the three they would interview face to face. (I attribute this closing to my Active Rain blog.)
- Followed real estate news in general, so they were grounded in reality regarding current market forces.
- Had an independent appraisal of their home before they interviewed real estate agents, so they knew straight-up who was blowing smoke and who knew the market and was giving honest, realistic information regarding pricing and market expectations.
- Cleaned and straightened up their home and made it appealing to buyers.
- Made showings very easy by allowing me to put a lockbox on their home. Although we asked agents to call for an appointment, Brian and Cathy were always ready at a moments notice and NEVER said no to a showing.
- Negotiated their commission as part of their plan to obtain a net that would achieve their goals.
- They had a plan and their goals clearly identified.
The Morris' plan was TO SELL THEIR HOME. In short Brian and Cathy were wonderful clients who knew what they wanted and made a plan to get there. Listing with me was a well thought-out, intentional part of their plan.
Having an agent with a prominent internet presence was important to them and should be important to you. Cathy and Brian knew that 80% of all consumers searching for real estate look on the internet before ever contacting a real estate agent (at least that's what the NAR - National Association of REALTORS - says). Their buyers found the Morris' home on the internet where they could view a virtual tour with over 80 pictures.
Their closing gift to me was an excellent referral who listed with me today!
Thank you for stopping by. Your comments on this post are welcomed and appreciated.
No one sold more homes in Del Norte County in 2009--*both in number and volume--than Fran. Put Fran to work for you!
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*PER CCMLS
