SELLING YOUR HOUSE ... HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

How long will it take to sell your house?  We don't know!  Principally, there are too many factors over which we have not control.   Mortgage interest rates are a prime example.

If we quote you the average time it takes to sell a house in your price range, we must point out that some of these homes sold in one week, while others sold in perhaps fifteen weeks.  Considering the many variables, you should be introduced to many of them which will determine the time your sale will take.  Some of the are:

1.  TIMING:  Timing is everything.  In your golf swing.  In when to take the turkey out of the oven.  In selling Real Estate.  Supply and demand effect Real Estate sales.  Any evaluation of the Real Estate market at a particular moment is subject to change with market events in the next moment.  Neither you nor your Realtor can change the market situation.  We both must live with it.

2. COMPETITION:  A rapid Real Estate sales occurs when one product beats the competition of another.  What is the competition in the market when your "FOR SALE" is posted?  Real Estate buyers are comparative shoppers.  They are about to pay out a big portion of their savings and they are not impulsive about it.  Many buyers probably lay awake several nights, comparing the available competition, making a big judgment decision on which to buy.  How does your house stack up against the COMPETITION?

3.  PRICE:  The selling price is an agreement between the seller and buyer as to value.  Many things contribute to the final agreement (including Timing and Competition).  What is the right price?  The right price is the sale price.  One thing we do know, if the comparable properties are selling at a lower price, and our product is gathering dust on the shelf of inactivity, then the price is wrong.

4.  THE PROPERTY:  On occasion some Sellers forget what it means to be a Buyer.  Sellers are often reluctant to invest $500.00 for a needed paint job, that will yield $1,000.00 to them as part of the sale price.  Often the product shows poorly.  There may be excessive wear and tear and many large deficiencies "swept under the rug".  In all cases one of two things are needed to make the sale happen.  One:  Repair it; Two:  Reduce the price to compensate for it.

5.  FINANCING:  An adverse financial atmosphere will delay the sale. The cost of using other people's money is a barometer which reflects the health of the national economy, and sometimes a negative economic outlook or unstable work environment can effect your home sale dramatically.  Patience is the the only cure.