How Quickly Do You Really Need To Sell?
...and we're sorry you're in a rush; we're still happy to help, but we simply wish we could have met you sooner.
Very often, when we get a call to go to a home because they are looking to list, we get the normal comment at the end of the call, after we set up a time to meet, that "the house isn't perfect". We regularly hear that people are planning to shampoo the carpets, or maybe touch up some paint, and of course they plan on cleaning up and decluttering as well. We agree, all those things are good ideas. But then again there is always good, better and best.
Many Realtors are taught to just get the listing and get the sign on the lawn. We understand, for those Realtors it's a competitive dog-eat-dog world, and they believe that if they don't quickly get that listing and house up for sale immediately, then someone else will. Post dating a listing works, but "what if someone else sees what they're doing and offers to buy it directly..." Well, those are the breaks. Granted, if someone naturally likes something that easily, then (to us) that easily means that when marketed correctly, that same home will still appeal to that same buyer, plus also other people in this world as well. Laws of supply and demand make for at least a 5% upcharge, plus the chance for a whole lot more.
Why Not Finish The Flip?
We've learned that a 2% investment in a home's features and finishes almost always doubles its return, when executed with a proper, precise, and professional plan.
So, what is your home worth with builder grade light fixtures, monotone paint, zero landscaping, and mismatched appliances? We'd have to say $725,000. But with those things addressed and some lifestyle flair thrown in, then we'd say that we're looking at something closer to $775,000 - EASY.
If you have the time and a little bit more money to invest, and know a couple of reasonable contractors you can trust to do a good job, then we could easily push that price up again. Maybe we consider adding some really cool smart home features... it really just depends on the house and location.
People pay top dollar for an apparent and attractive lifestyle, and even more for a dream well executed. But make-work projects don't get top dollar - instead, they tend to attract handy folks and investors looking to make top dollar for their own work. Thus, we know it makes more sense to give you an immediate idea as to your best plays in this market. We do this type of thing so often, we should be able to give you a spot estimate of the end value of an executed vision within a 20% range when we meet.
PRICE vs TIME vs CONVENIENCE (it's up to you to choose which ones are most important to you).
In summary, we'll more often than not give you at least two numbers – an AS IS price, and at least one number of what it could be worth, if maximizing your returns is the biggest concern.*
* There can also be the option of marketing your home at a lower number, with the hope of attracting multiple offers and sparking a bidding war, and that can be discussed as a potentially viable strategy.