Both local residents looking to upsize or downsize and out-of-towners seeking second homes are looking in the market right now.  The common theme is, "Find me a bargain."  Home owners who are willing to negotiate and are realistic about fair market prices have the best chance of selling, particularly if the homes are upgraded with newer kitchens and baths.  When readying your home for show, DO YOUR OWN STAGING - paint the interior and if needed, the exterior, remembering that curb appeal gives the buyer their first impression.  Clear out the clutter - either donate it to charity, give it to Goodwill or get a storage room.  Buyers need to visualize how large your quarters are. 

It may be wise to use your local Realtor who knows your neighborhood, but another Realtor might have new and different ideas, and if your property is their only listing in your neighborhood they might work harder to get it sold than an agent who has many houses to focus on within a small area.   When interviewing an agent, ask for their Marketing Plan and where on the internet they will be featuring your property.  More and more agents are using the internet to get their listings shown all over the world, internationally as well as nationally.

When you are looking to purchase a property, check with the listing agent about details.  If you have pets, check out pet restrictions.  Check out age restrictions - is it an age 55+ community and is that what you want?  How far is shopping from the neighborhood?  What security does the neighborhood offer?  What do your Homeowners Association dues cover?  Be sure to read the Community Documents as soon as you get them, focusing on Rules and Regulations.

While an agent's responsibility is to get you the most EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE, EXPOSURE they can to get that one buyer over to your property, once the house is under contract, the agent may have various obstacles to overcome on the way to the closing.  Ask about their title company, home inspector, if they have a contractor to do any needed fix-up, whether they have a good plumber and electrician and any other kinds of services you might need.

If you want your agent to give you feedback, ask for it...but the reality is that when YOUR BUYER comes to look, they will make an offer, and that is the ultimate feedback you want to hear.  Sometimes the feedback is helpful in fixing something you did not know was "in the way of a sale," and that is helpful information your agent will pass back to you.

Best wishes to all buyers and sellers in finding a property that you will love.  Remember that home values WILL GO UP in the future, and if you have found a property that you love and the bottom line price is more than you want to pay, the value WILL be going up in due time.  BUY WHAT YOU LOVE that is within your price range.

PALM BEACH POST  December 2007