Cynthia's Chat

I get this question ALL the time.  My answer is: "I am busier than ants at a 4th of July picnic".  We're doing fine, Oklahoma! 

Part of our good fortune is due in part to the first-time buyer's tax credit.  Now is the best time ever to purchase a first house with up to $8000 from Uncle Sam, low interest rates, and reasonably priced homes.  This push has created a ripple effect in the market as the sellers of the smaller homes are moving up and so on.

The homes in the "first-time buyer" price range that are in great condition are not staying on the market for long....in fact, some are selling within hours after going live in the MLS. 

The key to selling a home quickly is location, price and condition.  Of course the location is what it is and can't be changed.  But the other two factors are completely in your control. 

If your home is in average condition, you want to price your home aggressively to compete with a home in great condition.  If your home needs some work, and you just don't have the time, money or energy to do the fixup, don't lose heart - there are buyers who want exactly that!  But these buyers also want a deal so they will expect a lower price in exchange for condition. And be prepared to be on the market a little longer in order to find that buyer who is looking for a home he can put his stamp on.

If your heart is set on top dollar for your home, then your home is going to need to be pristine.  Walk through your home as if you are a buyer and take note of what you see.  Do you see dingy paint, outdated fixtures and clutter?  If you see it, be sure that a buyer will see it too. 

If you can't be objective when looking at your home, have me come over and I can guide you in what you need to do to attract the best offer on your house.  A little paint goes a long way to updating your home and giving it a fresh, clean feel.

As an example, I have had 3 listings sold in the last couple of months where the homeowners waited to put their homes on the market until they had some work done to the homes.  One was a total redo, the next was new paint, new carpet and new landscaping, and the third was some new paint and some new light fixtures.  Once the homes were ready to go and listed in the MLS, I received offers within the first 36 hours.

A little effort in the beginning made the whole process so much easier for all involved.

And of course, you don't even have to be selling your home to get your home, clean, fresh and clutter-free.  One of our sellers who went through this process (and whose home sold in a day!) commented that she is much more relaxed and at peace in her clutter-free home.  What a way to live!  We should all be relaxed in our homes.  A great website for learning tricks to get your home clean and clutter-free is www.flylady.com .

If you need to hire work done to whip your house into shape, please refer to my business directory on the sidebar menu of this page.  These people have been tried by myself, or people I know who have been satisfied with the quality of work provided.

Just wanted to let you know that it is a great time to be buying or selling a home in Oklahoma.  On the buying side we are still one of the most affordable places to own real estate.  On the selling side, homes prices have remained stable and appreciating, as opposed to other parts of the country.  Interest rates are still low. You are in control of your real estate destiny.  Grab hold of your dreams today!