Seller FAQ's

When is the best time to sell my home?

Spring tends to be one of the best seasons for home buyers in Iowa and the Midwest in general. This is due to many individuals and families deciding to put their homes on the market as the seasons begin to change and warmer weather approaches.

As the seasons change throughout the year, there will always be brand new buyers entering the market who have done their research and are ready to take the plunge. A trend that we have seen over the years is a substantial increase in homes becoming available to buyers as the seasons change each spring and fall.

Seasonal Considerations:

Spring: Buyer demand typically peaks, but so does inventory, which means more competition with other sellers

Summer: The level of competition remains high, but buyers with families will be highly motivated to move before the school year begins

Fall: Real estate activity typically starts to taper, but the level of competition among sellers drops off as well

Winter: This is the slowest time of year for many markets, but off-season buyers also tend to be more qualified and serious. By placing your home on the market throughout the cooler months you may have better luck selling since there will be fewer homes on the market.

Can I use real estate websites to set the perfect price for my home?

There are several real estate websites out there now that offer pricing options for sellers. They draw on massive databases to give you an idea of your home’s value currently. While they are undoubtedly useful for getting a general idea of your home’s value, they are not sufficient for pricing a home for sale.
Pricing a home to sell in a reasonable time frame and for the best possible price is both an art and a science. It requires up-to-the-minute market knowledge of what is going on at a local level, and how your home compares to other similar homes in your market. A website algorithm cannot substitute for a skilled realtor.

How is the market?

We get this question several times a week. It's interesting because there are different answers pending what type of home you're looking for? For instance, homes listed under $200,000 in most areas of central Iowa experience shorter DOM (days on market) and closer list price to sale price %. We also see the greatest number of multiple bids in this category of pricing. We start seeing longer DOM as home prices increase. All that said for ANY price point a home that is desirable (in a great area, good lot, looks fantastic) and is priced well, or even a little aggressive, will likely sell quickly and for top dollar.

How do you determine what to list my home for?

The best method available to determine your home's current value is a CMA, or Comparative Market Analysis. It is what we, as real estate agents use to conduct an in-depth analysis of your home's worth in today's market.
The home does not have to be in perfect condition. However, property condition does affect price. At this time we may recommend improvements or slight changes to increase your home's value.

Second, we will research information about comparable properties in the area, using a real estate industry resource called the Multiple Listing Service. This includes:

• Properties that have sold and closed within the last 6-12 months

• Active listings - properties currently for sale

• Pending sales - listings that have sold but not yet closed

• Expired listings - properties that did not sell during the listing period

Lastly, we suggest a probable selling price.

What can you expect to see in a CMA? A completed CMA is presented in the form of a report, which includes the selling price, detailed information about your home, and the comparable properties that were researched to determine your home's value

How much higher should I price my home to allow for negotiations?

Leaving room for negotiations is one of the biggest home pricing myths in real estate. There is a lot of unnecessary risks that come from pricing a home too high. While you may think that you are giving yourself room to negotiate, too high a price is more likely to drive off potential buyers.

Instead of pricing high, price right.

What do I need to do before I list my home for sale?

You have ONE chance to make a first impression! Ultimately, two factors will sell a home: price and condition. The market controls the price but you have a great deal of control over the condition of your home, and it’s in your interest to embrace this fact and put in the work that’s required to successfully sell your home.

• Remove Personal Items. It's important to keep personal items out of sight so that the families walking through the home can picture themselves there.
• Keep Things Squeaky Clean. When your home is being shown to potential buyers, it's vital for the space to be as clean as possible.
• Showcase the Selling Points. Think about the most attractive features of your home, and try to showcase those as much as possible.
• Keep Clutter to a Minimum. One of the most important features for potential homebuyers to see is the architecture of your home. Get rid of anything than can be construed as clutter so that visitors' eyes are focused on the basics.
• Act Like a Buyer. Walk through your home as if you were a potential buyer.
• Stow Your Valuables. Lock away any valuables, like jewelry, electronics, or important paperwork. Anything you wouldn't want a stranger to access should be hidden away—or powered off, in the case of desktop computers.

How are list price and sale price different?

The list price is the price you list the home for sale. It is the reasonable goal you set for your sale, one you hope to get close to as you make the transaction. The sale price is the price that you actually sell the home for, after negotiations. A terrific agent should be able to help you set a price that will be close to the sale price.

Does assessed value have anything to do with market value?

No! Assessed value has nothing to do with market value. The assessed value is nothing more than a figure the local municipality uses to collect the appropriate amount of taxes.

What should I disclose to potential buyers?

When selling a home, it’s important you disclose to potential buyers anything you are aware of in your home. Nobody likes “getting the raw end of a deal” when it comes to buying a home, car, or anything for that matter. If you’re aware of defects with a roof, appliance, or home in general, you’re always going to be better off being honest and upfront. If you’re aware of defects, whenever possible, fixing them before going on the market is best. This can avoid potential issues and/or lawsuits once your home is under contract, after inspections, and even years after you have sold your home.