Relocating is a process fraught with emotions, from eager anticipation of a new season of life to a sense of overwhelm by the sheer number of tasks that must be accomplished. It can be so easy to dive right into the logistics of moving, but an undertaking of this magnitude requires strategic planning to both reduce your stress and meet your goals for selling your Town and Country real estate. Let this guide help you begin your relocation process with confidence.
Choosing the right real estate agent
Selecting the right real estate agent is a vital consideration if you wish to sell your Town and Country luxury home quickly and at top dollar. Luxury real estate is a niche market with an elite clientele. Specialized luxury agents such as those with The Benes Group understand the fine details of your property and how to showcase it, as well as how to find connections with discriminating buyers.
As you seek the right agent to represent you, conduct thorough research. Learn about the agents’ history of inventory closed and how many repeat customers they’ve had. Read reviews, and if possible, talk with former clients and hear about their experiences firsthand.
When you’ve narrowed the pool of candidates, invite outstanding agents to your home for an interview. Walk the property and observe astutely as they present their plan for marketing your home, make suggestions on preparing your home for sale, and begin to build rapport with you. Choose the agent that not only appreciates and truly sees all that your Town and Country real estate has to offer but also has a clear strategy for selling your home (and whom you enjoy interacting with).
Local housing market
Across Missouri, home sales numbers have returned to and surpassed their pre-pandemic level by 3.7%, and home prices have increased by almost 40%. The dramatic increase in pricing can be attributed to a combination of factors, including increased material costs, rising demand for houses, and low inventory. These factors are great news as you prepare to sell your Town and Country luxury home.
Taking time to understand who is moving to Town and Country and why can help to inform and personalize your marketing approach. Town and Country is the most popular retirement destination in Missouri. When people are ready to enjoy a small-town atmosphere with open spaces and ready access to the city of St. Louis, Town and Country is the community they seek. This suburb also charms families looking for excellent schools and spacious homes for their children. Residents love supporting local businesses in the community, the neighborliness of the people, and the beauty of the area.
How to prepare your home for sale
Many home sellers approach readying their homes for sale with trepidation. The task can be daunting, but with a checklist to complete, you can pace your work and see to it that every detail is noticed.
-
Depersonalize your home by removing personal photographs and knickknacks.
-
Reduce the contents of closets and cabinets by half.
-
Critically assess the property, inside and out, from every angle. Make a list of all needed repairs and start making calls to the appropriate repairmen.
-
Freshen paint and neutralize color schemes.
-
Cut back overhanging limbs and overgrown landscaping to help the exterior of your home really shine.
-
Utilize the services of a professional stager to arrange your furniture and showcase the home’s best features.
-
Brighten the house by taking advantage of all-natural lighting. Remove heavy drapes, and make sure there are no dark corners.
-
Make arrangements for pets during the time your home is for sale. Not everyone loves animals, so it may be worthwhile to send your four-legged family members on vacation during the time your home is on the market.
Consider utilizing a home inspector to ensure even the hidden features of your home, such as pipes and electrical wiring, are in excellent condition. Almost all home buyers will make a home inspection a purchase contingency, so why not build your buyer’s confidence by ordering one yourself and addressing any issues that are uncovered before the home is listed?
Value of marketing
In recent years, the process of home selling has changed. Public open houses are becoming far less frequent, particularly in the luxury market, largely due to the instant accessibility of home searches online. Today, more than 90% of home buyers begin their search for a new home online. This means it is vital that your Town and Country real estate is well-represented with professional quality photography, videography, and more. Some less conventional marketing approaches that have proven successful include unique property websites wholly dedicated to a single estate, including drone flyovers, detailed property information, and more. Others have utilized cinematic videos portraying a life well-lived in their home. Think of this approach as staging a home through video. These tools create emotional connections for the buyers and enable them to imagine all the possibilities of what their lives can be in your home.
Did you know that home selling is a seasonal activity? While it is true that some homes can be found for purchase at any time of the year, certain months are far more popular for relocation than others. If you want to attract the maximum number of buyers to explore your property and reduce the number of days it takes to close the sale, strive to have your house ready for market by late spring and certainly by the beginning of summer. Conversely, the holiday season, beginning with Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year’s and through the frigid winter months, are typically more sluggish months. When deciding on your perfect listing strategy, seek the advice of your agent, who can help you pinpoint the precise date for the ideal results.
Begin at the beginning: find a real estate agent
With these practical tips in mind to begin your home selling journey, it’s now time to take action. Begin by finding the best real estate agent to represent you in the process, and includes talking with the knowledgeable and experienced team at The Benes Group. Give them a call today.
