Today, we have a real estate market in flux. It’s rapidly becoming a market where buyers have more leverage than sellers simply because they have more choices. But, there are buyers. Despite the media coverage, which suggests that it’s either a boom or bust market, there is a remarkably stable number of single family homes sold every year in Westchester and Putnam County. While some years are better than others, we have a constant flow of buyers moving into our area as well as current residents making changes due to their growing or shrinking families.

Our commitment to you is to use all of our expertise and resources to insure your home is among those sold—at a fair market price in a timely fashion. As your representatives, we bring a track record as being among the top real estate agents in Westchester and offer a broad range of creative solutions to marketing real estate—including: Stunning audio/visual house showcases—a format developed by us to highlight a house’s best features;

The best community information available—all developed by us to educate buyers; Innovative e-brochures—providing high-end e-mailable brochures; Professional photography of your home; and Staging suggestions to show your home at its absolute best!

As your selling team, we have marketing, negotiating and general business expertise acquired in some of the finest corporations in the country. Our success depends upon helping you achieve your goals. Let us help you find the best buyer for your single most valuable asset—your home.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about selling your home, arrange for a free, no obligation consultation, or receive a copy of The Seller’s Toolkit ©.

Email: jean.cameron-smith@jbfsir.com or call 914-645-7157.

Seller’s Toolkit—first 3 of 10 steps

1. Get the facts on what similar homes in your neighborhood are selling for NOW
Getting specific information on the market in your neighborhood will help you have realistic expectations regarding how much money you will net and how long it will take to sell. So, as a first step to selling your house, you need to obtain these facts: The number of homes on the market within your school district in your price range and how much it has increased or decreased in the last year. The selling price (not the listing price) of the most recent sales of homes similar to yours in your school district. Moving is a major life event, and a key ingredient to managing the stress of moving is being informed. Having a firm idea of how much cash you’ll net after the closing will enable you to focus on a housing purchase that fits your financial goals.
 
The market determines the price… …not how much you paid for your house, …not how much you put into the renovation, …not how much you need for your next step, …not how much a neighbor, a friend or a realtor tells you it should be worth.

2. Invest in a realtor
Why do you need a realtor? Few people want to pay a commission. Some people feel that all realtors do is put ads in the paper, a lockbox on the door and pick up their commission at closing. Selling a home is not for a novice. Maybe when houses were snapped up with multiple offers a realtor wasn’t as essential, but those days are past. Ask yourself: why you would entrust your single biggest asset to any one other than a true expert? Here’s a partial list of what you are paying a realtor to do:

Finding and vetting a buyer. Significant resources are needed for advertising, access to internet sites where research shows over 80% of buyers begin and continue their search and the capacity to reach local realtors who have the bulk of buyers.

Negotiating a deal that is acceptable to you and the buyer. This is no small feat in a changing market where buyers and sellers are far apart. Conforming to various legal requirements regarding how your property is represented. Keeping the deal together and on track to closing.

Understanding the Commission: What are you getting? Surprisingly, some homeowners are really not clear about the services their realtor will provide. We want you to fully understand what we are doing to market and sell your house. We do the following for all of our sellers:

We provide direction on staging for sale. We provide the names of reputable professionals if you need help.

We provide you with a Media Plan, outlining media coverage you can anticipate as we market your home.

We provide professional quality photographs, brochures and direct mail pieces. We follow-up on showings to get feedback from buyers to help us make course corrections—if necessary.

We advise you about the competition—what’s happening with houses in your price range currently on the market. We run Broker and Public Open Houses (with your permission, of course).

We have office staff available seven days a week to answer phone inquires about your property.

We provide the highest quality audio and visual tours to showcase your home. We offer as much attention as your property needs to find a buyer.

3. Find a Realtor who has the expertise, the time, the resources— and the desire—to sell your home.

Many people make the mistake of hiring a neighbor, friend or relative to sell their home. This person could be the right choice—but only if they have other qualities as well.

Here are the questions to ask: What kind of experience and track record do you have in marketing homes like mine? What sets you apart from other agents…in other words, why should we use you? What sets your agency apart from other agencies…in other words, why should we use your agency?

What has your agency’s performance been in the last few months…since the market changed? How accessible will you be? Will I be dealing with you directly or more junior people? What kind of back up or coverage do you have when you are away?