The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 9 No. 25 - March 11, 2009

REAL ESTATE

Steps to being a successful seller

If you’re a homeowner who has been unsuccessfully trying to sell your property, maybe you’re thinking the words successful and seller shouldn’t even be in the same sentence together. However, properties are selling out there, and if you’re an owner who so far hasn’t been successful, here are a few tips that could change your luck if not your perspective.

How many times have you heard one of your friends or neighbors say "I’ll sell if I get my price," or "I’m in no hurry, I can wait for my price." Without offending you or anyone you know, these sellers should not be in the market. Especially this market with inflated inventories, short sales, bank owned properties and financing challenges. They are wasting their time, their agent’s time and adding unrealistically priced inventories to the market.

Speaking about pricing, trying to figure out what is the correct price in this market could drive a Harvard economist off a cliff. The only way to even try and set the correct price is to get as much information as you can from a variety of different sources – real estate professionals, including brokers and appraisers; county tax rolls showing recent sales; Web sites that track sales; and field trips to open houses to check out the competition.

Put your best face on, that is your house’s best face. Hire a professional to help you stage the property or get help from a real estate agent or your decorator. It can never be said enough – get rid of clutter and too many personal items and collectibles.

Make the property accessible. Try not to turn away potential buyers by not being available. Give a key to your agent and/or allow a lock box for the key.

Network the property among everyone you know, advertise and put up a for sale sign. You never know when the person sweating next to you in the gym has a brother ready to retire.

Listen to what people are telling you about the property, put your ego in storage along with you’re mother’s crystal, and learn to take constructive criticism.

Being flexible in this market is essential especially when it comes to pricing. If you’re not getting showings or if you are getting showings and none result in offers, readjust your price and your strategy.

There is a lot of truth in the old adage that your first offer may turn out to be your best offer. Buyers are sitting in their easy chairs in this market waiting for the perfect property with the perfect price in the perfect condition to come along. If they see it, they will want to be the first buyer in. Take them seriously.

Try and stay positive and be friendly and willing to work with buyers without appearing desperate. If you have hired a real estate agent that you trust, take his/her advice, ask questions and participate in the process.

Lastly, when it comes to selling real estate in 2009, patience is more than a virtue. It’s a virtual necessity. If you don’t have it, this is the year you better develop it. I guarantee you it will be a slow slog to 2010.

Most of the time in life, we make our own luck or at least find paths of enhancing our chances of being lucky. We may not be able to change the world, the country or the state, but we do have a decent chance of controlling the little bit of sand we live on. Your success after all is reflected in the eye of the buyer.

Real Estate Transactions
Closed sales between Oct. 27 and Nov. 29, 2008

Anna Maria

209 Chilson Ave.           Single family            $700,000
207 Palm Ave.           Lot            675,000
207 Coconut Ave.           Single family            570,000
333 Tarpon St.            Lot            550,000
112 Willow Ave. #A&B           Two or more            470,000
518 South Dr.           Single family            465,000
868 North Shore Dr.           Single family            415,000
420 Spring Ave.           Single family            400,000
204 Oak Ave.           Lot            290,000
522 Pine Ave. #4D           Condo            275,000
522 Pine Ave. #2C           Condo            240,000

Bradenton Beach

2114 Ave A           Single family            $675,000
1900 Gulf Dr. N. #12           Condo           475,000

1906 Gulf Dr. N. #201           Condo            160,000
2601 Gulf Dr. N. #312           Mobile            85,000
2601 Gulf Dr. N. #100           Mobile            83,400

Cortez

4510 119th St. W.           Lot            $307,500

Holmes Beach

541 Key Royale Dr.           Single family            $1,050,000
634 Key Royale Dr.           Single family            580,000
521 70th St.            Single family            470,000
4102 4th Ave. #5 & 6            Multi-family            450,000
3607 E. Bay Dr. #204           Condo            242,000
5609 Guava St. #A & B          Duplex            239,900
6200 Flotilla Dr. #315           Condo            210,000
6300 Flotilla Dr. #79           Condo            195,000

Source: Manatee County Property Appraiser’s Office


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