The quickest sale may be the easiest, but not necessarily the best

09/Sep/2009

To get the highest price, it sometimes pays to wait for other buyers to surface.

REALMARK director John Percudani says selling a home as soon as it hits the market is not necessarily the ideal outcome for sellers.

According to him, a sale needed the chance to mature to ensure sellers were uncovering the best offers.

“Many people believe that selling their home quickly is the best-case scenario; you don’t have to face weeks of home opens, your advertising costs are less and you avoid a situation of being stuck on the market not being able to sell,” Mr Percudani said.

“Many agents do reinforce this attitude since it is easier to take the first offer, rather than following a sale strategy that takes a few weeks.

“But when it comes to getting the best price, a sale needs to run its course; a good marketing strategy builds momentum for a number of weeks after the property hits the market and all potential buyers don’t always show themselves immediately.”

Mr Percudani said taking the first offer meant you weren’t letting the market speak, and there could be another buyer willing to make a higher offer.

Mr Percudani said the situation was probably a ‘hangover’ from tougher market conditions.

“Recent events made selling a home, especially at the top end of the market, difficult, and this perhaps has sellers worried about being stuck in the market for extended periods,” he said.

“It really comes down to finding an agent who gives you good, honest advice; sellers need to choose a sales specialist who tells them the reality of the market, not what they want to hear.”

Mr Percudani said sellers needed to get serious about agent choice.

“Find a professional,” he said.

“The office at the local shopping centre isn’t always best. Remember, a good sale result is about process and strategy, not personality. Too many people make decisions around whether they ‘like’ an agent; that is actually irrelevant.

“Sellers don’t need to be nervous about selling their homes. Right now the balance in supply and demand makes it a good time to put your home on the market.”

By Carmelle Sander 

Source:  www.inmycommunity.com.au/property/real-estate-news