There's little question that the Grand Rapids real estate market (and to a lesser extent, much of the West Michigan real estate market) is very hot right now. As many professionals have noted, this summer and upcoming fall are a great time to list your home, especially if you've been waiting for home values to strengthen after the Great Recession. If you're listing your home and trying to maximize your take-away profit from the transaction, it may be tempting to try listing the home as “For Sale by Owner” instead of using a realtor, in order to save the relatively small amount of the sale price that will be paid to the realtor. Here are three very good reasons to reconsider that stance.
3. A realtor can value and price your home appropriately. Don't depend on automated online calculators or, heaven forbid, the tax assessment as a means by which to set the price of your home. Neither of these rough estimates will take into consideration one of the most important factors of a home's value: the appearance and upkeep of the interior of the residence. Have you installed premium countertops? Re-done the master bath to include a high efficiency whirlpool tub? Turned the finished basement into a home theater, complete with built-in popcorn machine? All kinds of upgrades and investments like these can substantially affect the attractiveness of your home to buyers, thus allowing you to command a higher price than the average home in your neighborhood without any amenities. Don't sell yourself, or your home value, short.
2. A realtor knows how to maximize curb appeal and buyer attraction to a property. This may seem like a minor issue, but being able to properly showcase the best features of your home isn't always easy. Some may poo-poo the need to stage homes for showings when the market is moving quickly, but proper staging of a home for sale can make a large difference as far as the number and amount of offers made on a home for sale.
1. A realtor will handle all the stressful paperwork so you don't have to. No worrying about retracted offers, legal forms, or similar headaches. A realtor is a professional expert, well versed in handling offers on a property and in executing the necessary paperwork for a seamless, timely closing that leaves all parties satisfied with the transaction.
Unless you have extensive experience in real estate (and recent experience, at that; the market has changed substantially in just the last five years), chances are you may not be asking the best price for your home, may undersell its best features, or may end up drowning in confusing, legalese-filled paperwork. The dedicated, professional staff at Pyxis Realty is always here to help you list your home, maximize its value, and showcase all it can offer to potential buys, thus ensuring you have a headache-free sale and plenty of time to spend looking for your new home instead of worrying about your old one. If you're thinking of listing your home or investment property for sale in the near future, make sure to call or email Pyxis Realty before you list!