Five tips for sellers in this unique market

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you may feel uncertain about moving forward with your plans during the pandemic. The market is still strong for sellers, and there are still plenty of buyers looking to purchase their dream property. But, there are some special considerations to think through as you plan to sell your home. It is possible to sell your home while keeping you and your family, as well as the general public, safe. Read on for tips from our agents on having a successful sale in this unique market.

Tip 1: First, take the time to prepare your home for the market. Some buyers are relying entirely on virtual showings, so you want to make sure that your home is ready for it’s close-up! Photos and videos are more important than ever. They give your property the best first impression possible. Take a look at each room and think about what might help your photos and videos shine. Perhaps a fresh coat of paint or some decluttering is in order. Take the time now to get your home picture-perfect. If you list your home with us, we’ll set you up with a staging consultation. Rest assured that process can still be done virtually!

Tip 2: Consider how you want to practice social distancing when you sell your home. You have three different options. The first option is to move out of your home before any showings begin. This is ideal if you’ve already found your new home and can vacate your existing home before listing. In this scenario, we help you virtually stage your listing photos. This option gives many sellers peace of mind during the pandemic. If moving out first isn’t possible, you can consider allowing virtual showings only. Many clients have found this option to be less stressful, because they are able to limit foot-traffic through their home. The third option is to allow buyer showings, but with clearly outlined safety precautions. Our team is happy to discuss the range of options with you and help you choose the option that works best for your situation.

Tip 3: Include a virtual tour in your listing. A video or 3D tour helps buyers determine whether your home will be a good fit without actually stepping foot inside your home. Buyers have found these tours to be a helpful tool to get the information they need to feel confident making an offer. If you do offer in-person showings, a virtual tour can be a great way to cut down on the number of those showings. Virtual tours are also quite helpful to out-of-state buyers who can't travel to Madison for showings.

Tip 4: Create a comprehensive quality listing presentation. Great listings are more important than ever. In our new era of virtual showings, beautiful staging and beautiful photos can entice buyers to write a strong offer without ever visiting your home. Help your listing stand out with a comprehensive listing. Include neighborhood photos, a floor plan, and a list of upgrades and features. A quality listing gives buyers the confidence they need to move forward with an offer, even if they aren’t able to physically visit your home first.

Tip 5: Hire a professional. Selling a home is a huge financial decision, and now it comes with health and safety implications, too. Hire an agent (or a team) who is on top of the latest market trends and marketing options, and who puts your best interests front and center. This is more than just a transaction. It's a partnership with someone who you feel will best represent your personal and financial interests.

We know it can be stressful to sell a home under typical circumstances. Our goal is to make that process as low-stress as possible. Reach out to set up a virtual consultation with one of our full-time real estate professionals. We would be happy to talk with you about your options and answer your questions as you consider selling your home.