I Want to Sell My Home. Now What?
Factors to consider, questions to ask, how to succeed in any market
Consumer motivation and needs analysis: It’s usually a good idea to start the selling process by asking yourself what you want to accomplish.
- Are your expectations reasonable?
- Are your expectations based on reality?
- Do you have adequate knowledge of the current market?
- Are you a motivated consumer who actually wants to move, or are you the type of consumer who just wants a sign in the yard?
- What is the purpose of your move? Is it to upgrade, downgrade, change location, change school district? Is it job related?
- Are there children to consider?
- Are you moving for family? For health? For climate? For retirement?
Everything is going to be determined by the motivation of the consumer. Realtors are facilitators who are there to help you accomplish your goals in the most efficient and effective manner. Michael Kooistra is there to provide the most comprehensive marketing strategy based on those needs. It’s also important to note that no one marketing plan is going to work for every home. Different strategies have varying effectiveness with different homes.
Depending on location, price range, type of home, type of neighborhood, and many other factors, Michael will custom-tailor his marketing plan for maximum effect. Michael recognizes that this industry is about servicing the client and making sure the client’s needs are met.
Your peace of mind and ultimate success have everything to do with the professionalism, integrity, and motivation of your Realtor.
The Price Is Right
When it really comes down to it, the price is arguably the most important factor to your success.
Your Realtor can send out 300 emails and flyers and phone calls per day, do cartwheels in the lawn, cover the home in fluorescent marketing materials, or whatever.
If the home is overpriced, the chances of selling are near zero.
You will need to have an open mind, since it is often difficult to take a non-biased approach when determining the value of your own home. This is a major part of why you need an experienced, trustworthy, reliable, and knowledgeable Realtor. This person will take into account current sales trends, the local or national economy, all knowledge of comparable listings and sales in your immediate area, any inside information to which he is privy, and will provide this to you in the most objective way possible. Sometimes it may be reasonable to get an appraisal done along with the Realtor’s market analysis.
Look at your home from a buyer’s perspective. Put yourself in a “buying” position and look at the home in the most critical way. You can be assured that the buyers out there will be too.
Choose a price that is reasonable based on all the information the Realtor has provided. Shooting for the moon often results in a shot in the foot. Overpricing at the outset tends to result in a far longer time on the market, and almost always results in a lower final sales price than if the home were listed at a reasonable point from the get-go.
Important reminders
- Buyers will shop around and compare properties.
- Many potential buyers won’t even look at an overpriced home, thinking it’s out of their league.
- An overpriced home will help other more reasonably priced homes in the neighborhood sell first.
- Since an appraisal being at or above the final sale price is required for financing a sale, overpricing is a complete waste of time.
- Properties that sit on the market for a long time tend to get stigmatized, causing the impression that something must be wrong.
- Overpricing dampens a salesperson’s attitude and level of excitement, since the likelihood of achieving a sale is lessened.
How Michael Helps
Michael Kooistra will help you through this process in the most professional manner, with every bit of knowledge and expertise at his disposal. Michael will NOT overestimate the value of your property just to get the listing.
You should expect the most honest and unbiased conversations about values, about the condition of the home, and about what could or should be done to improve the likelihood of success.
You should expect a high level of courtesy, combined with an equally high level of candor.
Luxury Real Estate in West Michigan
Michael Kooistra is a premier luxury real estate agent proudly serving clients throughout West Michigan. From the rolling countryside of Lowell to the shores of Lake Michigan, Michael offers expert guidance in some of the region’s most desirable communities—including Ada, Grand Rapids, East Grand Rapids, Forest Hills, Rockford, Caledonia, and Middleville. He also specializes in lakeshore and resort towns like Holland, Zeeland, Douglas, Saugatuck, Grand Haven, and Norton Shores. Whether you're looking for a modern city home, a private estate, or a waterfront getaway, Michael combines local expertise with personalized service to help you find the perfect fit in West Michigan and the surrounding areas.
