In housing markets such as Westlake Village, and all across the nation, there has been much speculation about how “bad” the real estate market is. However, there is hope. When you are selling a home with the assistance of real estate agents such as Niki & Dionne Curtiss of The Curtiss Team, there are steps you can take to ensure the best success.
Here are 10 tips that can greatly assist in the selling of your home in today’s real estate market.
1. Audit your agent’s online marketing. 92% of homebuyers start their house hunt online. As such, the online presentation needs to be compelling, and that means high quality pictures. A study by a major real estate website shows that listings with more than six pictures are twice as likely to be viewed by buyers as listings with fewer than six pictures. Online slideshows and virtual tours, which are services offered by The Curtiss Team, work toward this goal. When it comes to showing your Westlake Village home, Niki & Dionne Curtiss work hard to showcase your property in the best light.
2. Post a virtual slideshow or tour online. A virtual presentation of not only your home, but the neighborhood and surrounding community show prospective buyers the best of the best—from a favorite local hotspot to a nearby park or community center. Buyers want to know that they are moving to a tightly knit area full of amenities, such as Westlake Village. Thus, it takes the knowledge of individuals familiar with the area (from having lived and worked locally for quite some time) like The Curtiss Team, to provide their buyers with the best possible information.
3. Facebook your home’s listing. Facebook is the great connector of people these days. If you have 200 friends and they each have 200 friends, imagine the power of that network in getting the word out about your house! Not to be left behind in this technological day and age, The Curtiss Team is online, and their Facebook page can be seen here.
4. Leave some good stuff behind. Everyone has heard about closing cost credits these days, and they are all but expected. As such, they don’t really distinguish your house from any of the other homes on the market. What can distinguish your home, aside from the high quality services of The Curtiss Team, is leaving behind some of your personal property, ideally items that are above and beyond what the average homebuyer in your home’s price range may be able to afford. Example: stainless steel kitchen appliances, or perhaps a golf cart. In Westlake Village, there are homes for sale that are close to and along both golf courses and lakes.
5. Beat the competition with condition. In many markets, much of the competition is low-priced foreclosures and short sales. As an individual homeowner, the way you can compete is on condition. Consider having a termite inspection in advance of listing your home, and get as many of the repairs done as you can – it’s a major selling point to be able to advertise a very low or non-existent pest repair bill. With years of experience and knowledge in all aspects of the entire process of selling a home, look to The Curtiss Team for a total solution and complete peace of mind.
6. Stage the exterior of your home. Stage the exterior with fresh paint, immaculate landscaping and even outdoor furniture to set up a Sunday brunch on the deck vignette. Buyers often fantasize about enjoying their backyards by entertaining and pending time outside. Niki & Dionne Curtiss can help you with not only your photograph needs, but virtual tours that can tie everything together.
7. Get real about pricing. Today’s buyers are very educated about the comparable sales in the area, which heavily influence the fair market value of your home. And they also know that they’re in the driver’s seat. To make your home competitive, have The Curtiss Team get you the sales prices of the three most similar homes that have sold in your area in the last month or so. The homes that look like a great deal are the ones that get the most visits from buyers and, on occasion even receive multiple offers.
8. Get clued into your competition. Work with The Curtiss Team to get educated about the price, type of sale and condition of the other homes your home is up against. In housing markets such as Westlake Village, you might attend some open houses in your area and do a real estate reality check: know that buyers that see your home will see those homes, too – make sure the real-time comparison will come out in your home’s favor by ensuring the condition of your home is up to par.
9. De-clutter. Keep the faux-moving in motion. Pack up all personally identifiable belongings, and anything that is sitting atop a counter, table or other flat surface. Pack only what you need and nothing that you don’t.
10. Listen to your agent. If you find an experienced real estate agent to list your home, who has a successful track record of selling homes in your area, listen to their recommendations! This can provide you with both incredible insights along with a wealth of knowledge to aid the buying and selling process. To help you sell your home in Westlake Village, contact Niki & Dionne Curtiss of The Curtiss Team. With proven results and an impeccable legacy of service, excellence in service is their personal guarantee.
For more information, visit The Curtiss Team online at http://www.buyandsellconejovalley.com
Follow The Curtiss Team on Twitter (@thecurtissteam) at http://twitter.com/#!/thecurtissteam
Check out The Curtiss Team blog at http://thecurtissteamnews.wordpress.com


[...] investors. Niki & Dionne understand the process and necessary steps required to create a win-win situation in terms of home purchases, and they are committed to finding their buyers exactly what they are looking [...]
By: The Curtiss Team of Westlake Village Presents: The Importance of Finding a Good Realtor « The Curtiss Team News on October 26, 2011
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