Wednesday, September 14, 2011

10 Tips for Selling Your Lake Michigan Shoreline Home this Fall!


Last week we talked about how to deal with offers on your Lake Michigan Shoreline home that are less than favorable, and we hope this information was helpful for those of you who are in the midst of selling your home in the Chicago North Shore, Evanston, the Indiana shoreline or Harbor Country!  
But what if you’ve only been considering selling your home and haven’t taken the leap into the Lake Michigan Shoreline Real Estate market?  As the Shoreline Property Advisors team, we want to be sure that you’re fully prepared to enter the market to ensure a successful home sale.  
Selling in today’s buyers market can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible!  We’ve gathered ten key tips that will help you navigate through the Lake Michigan Shoreline Real Estate market and get your home sold!  
1. Focus on curb appeal- Selling your Lake Michigan Shoreline home during the fall certainly comes with one advantage: the season's beautiful foliage which can automatically make your home more attractive for showings. However, you still need to do your part to keep your home looking its best. Start by sprucing up your lawn, keep falling leaves at bay with frequent raking and patch up any brown spots in the grass.
2. Appeal to the senses- As the weather cools down along the Lake Michigan Shoreline, make your home a warm, welcoming space where buyers will want to stick around. If you encourage them to stay awhile during showings, you give them more time to admire your home's best features.
3. Flaunt your fireplace- A warm, inviting fireplace is a great selling point as the weather gets cooler. Highlight this fall-friendly feature by arranging your furniture to make your fireplace a focal point. Place a mirror, artwork, vases or other tasteful decor on top of the mantel to make it even more prominent.
4. Update your listing photos- If your Lake Michigan Shoreline home was listed last winter or spring and then taken off the market, talk with your Lake Michigan Shoreline Real Estate agent about updating your home’s marketing with brand new fall shots. Pictures from the previous season make your listing seem dated.
5. Think like a buyer- Fall house hunters are looking for great deals on homes along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, so be prepared for lowball offers and possible non-serious buyers. Manage your expectations and negotiate accordingly, depending on your motivation.
6. Hire a reliable real estate professional- As if selling your home isn't stressful enough, you're probably thinking ahead for the holidays or helping the kids ease into a new school year. During this hectic season, you definitely want a great Lake Michigan Shoreline Real Estate agent to take some of the pressure of selling your home off your shoulders. If you are still searching for an agent; we’d love to help you sell your Lake Michigan Shoreline home
7. Price it right- If you want to grab the attention of Lake Michigan Shoreline buyers in this competitive market, you need to price your home correctly from the start - possibly slightly lower than comparable homes in your neighborhood. Setting your listing price just right could lead to a bidding war, resulting in a higher sales price for you. Work with your Lake Michigan Shoreline Real Estate agent to price your home correctly.
8. Watch your timing- Put your Lake Michigan Shoreline home on the market well in advance of looking for a new home. And don't place an offer on your next home until you have solid offers on the one you have to sell now. The last thing you want to do is juggle two mortgage payments.
9. Beware of TMI (too much information)- Buyers think most sellers these days are in dire straits, so don't do anything to add to that perceived advantage and lower your potential selling price. For instance, if you are moving from the area due to a job transfer, it's best not to offer up that information or at the very least, downplay the urgency. While you are obligated to disclose everything about the property's condition, you aren't obligated to disclose your personal situation.
10. Be flexible- We are currently in a buyers market, so be willing to work with buyers to help your chances of making a quick sale. Offer to pay for closing costs or repairs, and be adaptable when it comes to showing your home and holding open houses. If you really need to sell your Lake Michigan Shoreline home, you need to accommodate buyers' busy schedules as well. This might mean opening your home on weeknights and weekends. Be flexible!

These ten key tips will give you a good foundation and insight into getting your Lake Michigan Shoreline home sold.  As always, we’re here to help!  Our knowledgeable Shoreline Property Advisors team and our Prudential Rubloff Real Esate agents have the experience and tools to sell your home in today’s market.
We’d love to answer any questions you have or begin walking with you through the home selling process!  Feel free to contact us today!  We look forward to working with you!


Shoreline Property Advisors
@ Prudential Rubloff

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