18 REASONS WHY YOUR LISTING EXPIRED

18 REASONS WHY YOUR LISTING MAY HAVE EXPIRED

1. Pricing home too high: Have a professional determine comparable sales and listing competition. You want top dollar, and you want all the buyers to see your home. The top agents know how to walk that fine line.

2. Small repairs bring big profits and fast sales: Have a professional give you low-cost solutions to minor repairs that will yield big profits. I have arranged a professional inspection for my sellers so we are actually selling “pre-inspected properties.” This is simply another reason why I get more showings for my sellers.

3. Not considering other financing terms (besides cash): Have a professional give you options that may be better than cash for you, the homeowner, and financing options that excite a buyer. All of my sellers have a flyer that we give them on the “Fifteen Ways a Buyer Can Finance” detailing how they can finance your home!

4. Market Timing: Have a professional determine if the market cycle is poised to net you the most money. At least, ask to be shown how you make profits in a down market. There are opportunities in good and bad markets. At Exit Realty, we study market trends and know what is around the corner.

5. Providing easy access for showings: There are many ways to show a home. Appointment only is the most restrictive; lock boxes are the least restrictive. Have a professional help you determine which is best for your lifestyle. I have a full-time staff that will make sure your home is shown when that buyer is ready. Another exclusive service of EXIT REALTY is that we train each of the agents in our office on how to best show your home!

6. Staging your property correctly: Can you put items in storage? Create more light or music? Chris can help you with ideas, a handyman, or designer. Once the marketing has started, we will try to make your property a better value every week.

7. Choosing the right REALTOR®: Your REALTOR® may be a little biased, but you can call me for a list of probing interview questions to ask each real estate agent you interview. Get the right one this time. Get someone who will customize the marketing plan to meet your needs.

8. Believing that selling property is seasonal: Do not base selling decisions on the seasons. Property is always selling. In fact, in the traditional “off times” there is less inventory, and, therefore, more activity on the property that is listed. One of my biggest months for sales and seller success has been December.

9. Pricing home too low: One reason to hire Chris is to make sure that no money is left on the table. We will make sure all of the features and benefits are not only brought out in a world marketing campaign, but also that you get paid for them.

10. Not using current marketing technology: Make sure your agent is on the “Information Highway” with 800 interactive voice recognition systems, web sites, search engine technology, and the latest in buyer communications. Google the words you think a buyer might use when looking for property in the area. See whose name comes up!

11. Re evaluating the marketing plan every 10 days: The market, you, and your real estate require intuitive changes to the marketing plan and how we are perceived by the buyers on a regular basis. That is why we schedule a meeting with our seller clients every ten working days.

12. Believing the agent is not doing the job: When there are not any offers did you know that 80% of your buyer activity comes from signs and the MLS? Even the most mediocre agent does that! If you have lack of showing problems, look at the price, terms, and staging in relation to pricing. Remember, there are hundreds of things we can do to add value to your property other than just dropping the price.

13. Ignoring first impressions from the buyer: Sales have been hampered by unkempt lawns, cluttered closets, unpainted front doors, hard to work locks, dead light bulbs, bad colors, stains, unlit areas, and unusual smells. Spend time on the little things, double up on your gardener, keep things cleaner than usual and "marshal" the pets. Understanding you still have a life, I will give you a simple list of small items to consider.

14. Not giving the sales effort enough time: You should never give too little time to something that is inherently a long process. Estimate the time you have to sell and then add some time so that you are never put in the position of having to do something based on deadlines. Chris can help you with the average time on market in your area in your price range. We do, however, pride ourselves on beating the average days on market, as published by our Multiple Listing Service.

15. Dealing with unqualified or unsavory characters: One of the best reasons to hire a real estate professional is that they have the ability to pre qualify a prospect, financially, before valuable negotiation time is lost. More importantly, they have the tools to discover if a prospect's motivation to see your home may be other than purchasing a house. Understand that I use a team approach in achieving your goals as a seller. One of my team members is a local lender who I will involve in your sale early. They will pre-approve every buyer that I show your home to!

16. Believing you are powerless to make a difference: The top agents in the industry report that sellers themselves are responsible for one out of six sales! You can network with your business and personal friends, hand out flyers to your personnel department, and keep the house "ready to move into." Your professional real estate agent should be ready to hand out all sorts of easy assignments to make the "team effort" successful. I have a list of thirty items you can help with, if you are so inclined.

17. Testing the market -- never put your property on the market unless you really want to sell! Get ready for a professional sales effort if you list with a great agent. If your plan includes indecision, be prepared for frustration because top dollar sales success is Chris' objective.

18. Not setting up expectations with your agent: Your agent needs to guarantee how fast the return phone calls are made, how many websites your home will be on, numbers of showings, and a myriad of other goals – all in writing! Our marketing plan can have as many as 300 marketing points!

Would you like to meet with Chris' for a FREE consultation on your home?  Just click here to contact Chris today! 

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