How Do Home Sellers Compete With New Construction?

The Woodbury new construction market is HOT right now.  Sellers are losing buyers to the “shiny new product” on the market.  So how do you compete?

First, you can compete with the price. New construction typically is much higher in price per square foot. Price your home at fair market value and don’t think you need to allow room to negotiate.  A home priced right in today’s market should sell for about 98% of list price or better and should have an accepted offer within 60 days.

Second, make sure your light fixtures and bathroom fixtures are up to date.  Brass light fixtures and chrome faucets will stand out in photos and make it look as though your home needs to be updated.

Next, make sure you either replace the carpet or have it cleaned.  New carpet, fresh paint, new window treatments and a professional staging consultation can make all the difference.  Buyers will find your home online so the photos need to be professional and not taken with your agents IPhone.

Often times buyers do not want to wait 6 months to get into their new home so if your home is priced well, staged with some basic updates, clean, well photographed and marketed by a good Realtor you will have some success.

It’s unfortunate to see homes hit the market with a Realtor that hasn’t taken the time to help a seller overcome these objections.  It can often cost a seller thousands of dollars.  A home that is staged right will sell for about 5% more than a home that has not been staged.

I take the time (sometimes several months) prior to putting a home on the market to make sure my sellers homes are looking top-notch and ready for the most discerning buyers.  I also, offer a no cost staging consultation with a professional interior designer.  This often involves everything from assisting with de-cluttering to selecting paint colors and sometimes even redesigning an entire kitchen.