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Glenn Elliot, providing decades of real estate experience, prides himself in being 1st in service to his clients and customers at ERA Justin Realty Co. A licensed real estate broker in the state of New Jersey, he uses the latest technology to better serve. A Multi-Million Dollar producer, he provides insight on selling a vacant home.
ERA Justin Realty Provides Insight on Selling a Vacant Home
If an option is available to a seller, selling your vacant house should be your last option. Some sellers nationally have missed selling opportunities because of overpricing while properly priced listings had sold and closed. The day arrives when the seller must move to a new location so a vacant sale is the current option because the house did not previously sell.
One of the first things you should do if you’re thinking about selling is to walk through your house and examine it with a critical eye. Imagine yourself as a buyer and make mental notes of the imperfections you’ve ignored for years. The drapes may be faded from years of sun exposure. If you have children or pets, the interior doors and baseboards may be nicked and need paint. Your floors might look worn.
Glenn Elliot, ERA Justin Realty broker salesperson suggests, “Painting and floor refurbishing are good ideas but keep it within a budget. Renewing the interior surfaces of your house when you sell is one of the most cost-effective improvements you can make to increase showings. Buyers usually pay more for homes that are in move-in condition. However, selling a vacant home could result in a lower net return. The main reason for this is that first impressions play a big part in selling homes. When buyers walk into a home that looks bright, inviting and comfortable, they feel good. When most buyers walk into a vacant home, they feel that something is missing. Many people have a hard time imagining what a vacant home will look like when it’s furnished. They walk into an empty living room and start considering about how they’d furnish it. It can be a confusing experience.”
He continued, “Home buying is focused enough without having to worry about how the floor plan works and which room is used for what. A strategically furnished house creates a more pleasurable viewing experience and reduces the stress of buying. Granted, some buyers, such as architects and designers, have the ability to conceptualize in three-dimension. Some experienced buyers have moved so many times that they’ve developed the knack of visualizing their furniture in an empty space. But, you are likely to sell your home for more money if you can appeal to the entire pool of prospective buyers, not just those who have a particular expertise.
Dian Hymer, author of “House Hunting, The Take-Along Workbook for Home Buyers” and “Starting Out, The Complete Home Buyer’s Guide, wrote, “A listing in the Oakland Hills (Calif.) was put on the market last fall. It had a great view, but was vacant. It did not sell after three months on the market during a time when all well-priced listings in the area were selling. The listing was temporarily withdrawn from the market and staged with rental furniture and accessories. It was put back on the market at the same price and sold right away.”
The cost of staging your home for sale may seem prohibitive, but it needn’t be. Many sellers who stage their homes for sale use their own furniture after removing outdated pieces and rearranging the rest. Tattered draperies can be removed and often don’t need to be replaced, unless they cover an unsightly or distracting outlook. For selling purposes, it’s important to let in as much light as possible. It’s a good idea to consult with a someone who is knowledgeable in staging homes for sale. To keep costs down, you may be able to create an inviting ambiance without furnishing your entire house or condo. The living and dining room, kitchen, family room and master bedroom are the most important places to concentrate your staging efforts.
“We do have talented Realtor salespersons at ERA Justin Realty who are excellent at staging homes. There is a difference in real estate companies. Presenting consumer information, we believe, is in order to exceed sellers expectations of what ERA Justin Realty is about, as we don’t offer just the basics. In that way, we know that our sellers will hold us in the highest regard. Our sellers have put their thoughts in writing. We have on file for the asking, ‘What people are saying’ our report of over 700 quotes and reviews from our sellers and buyers. No other area real estate firm can offer that. Are we proud? Absolutely.” concluded Elliot.
All of the ERA Justin Realty full service Realtor salespersons can be reached at either of their two Rutherford offices at 118 Jackson Avenue and 57 Park Avenue. By office phone (201) 939-7500, (201) 438-0588 or (201) 438-SOLD. Also view 1000’s of homes at their winning search websites at www.ERAJustin.com and www.ERAJustinRealty.com.
