Since I’m starting my 27th year selling real estate on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, I have some thoughts to share with today’s home sellers that might save them time and/or money .

This is not a real estate climate to “test the waters”. If you aren’t committed to the selling your home unless you get your price, wait on the sidelines until the economy recovers.

The current real estate market is very price sensitive. Your list price should be at market prices & optimally, a little under, market prices.

Your home must be in great condition & very clean to attract buyers unless you are priced significantly under market rates.  Otherwise, you will be competing with REO’s which are usually discounted to move fast.

Most buyers today are looking for a bargain as a buffer against any potential future price decreases that could occur in the future.
Be sure the Realtor you choose has an internet presence on all of the top real estate websites. Not only will this broadcast your listing to the greatest numbers of buyers, but it will also give your agent the ability to email you weekly reports about the number of people who visited your listing’s websites.

If you find out 900 people viewed your property online but there were no physical showings of your home, chances are, there is something wrong with your listing. Is it too highly priced? Are the quality of the pictures below par? Does your house look unappealing in the photos?

There are a myriad of other factors to consider when deciding to sell this year, but these points are essential to a successful experience. Your best bet is to choose a Realtor wisely. That can potentially save you thousands of dollars & lots of heartburn.