How to Sell Sarasota Real Estate at
the Highest Possible Price

Important Home Selling Tips

     Even a minor mistake in selling a home can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars.  Avoiding mistakes in selling a home takes only a little time, but some serious thought, on your part.  Here are some things to consider and guidelines to follow.

     Thinking "It's the "Best Home in the Neighborhood"   Your home is one of your most personal and expensive possessions.  This may lead you to think its worth more than its "market value," dramatically decreasing its chance to be sold in a reasonable time period.  An experienced professional Sarasota Realtor can give you a well-informed opinion, driven by a thorough comparative market analysis (CMA) that will help you price your Sarasota home properly ... so it doesn't "sit on the market and go stale" or so low so you get less than you should.

     Make sure its Available for Showings  Prospective home buyers want to view homes on their own schedule.  Unfortunately, their schedule does not always coincide with yours.   Let your Realtor® install a "lockbox" or leave a key with your listing agent so your home can be shown when you are not around.  You never know if the one showing you missed was your buyer.

     Make Cosmetic Improvements:  Home buyers make up their minds to "like or dislike" a home in the first few minutes.  First impressions make all the difference.  Spending $1,000 on new carpet might add another $4,000 to the price of your Sarasota home.  Get an objective point of view from your Sarasota real estate professional on a list of items that will maximize the profit of your home sale.

     Honestly Disclose Any Property Flaws:  Most states, including Florida now have real estate property disclosure laws that require sellers to list any flaws they are aware of.  If you are unaware of flaws or attempt to cover them up, you risk losing the sale and finding yourself in court.  Get professional assistance from your Realtor® who can introduce you to qualified inspectors and ensure the smooth sale of your home.   In fact, paying the modest cost of a professional inspection even before you put the home on the market can be a good investment.  That way, you can fix any problem before a buyer sees them.

     The "For Sale By Owner" (FSBO) Trap:  Most homeowners who decide to sell their own home do so because they believe they can save the commission paid to a Sarasota real estate agent.  The enormous amount of time and effort required to sell a home often surprises the "For Sale By Owner."  Costly mistakes can be avoided with the right professional guidance.  If you are considering trying to sell your home by yourself, you may want to review our article entitled Why People Don't Want To Buy From FSBOs before you try that approach.

     Don’t let a few hundred dollars ruin a sale.  That money will mean very little to you in the long run.  Make a reasonable counter-offer if you feel the offer is low.  But use sound business judgment!  Act rationally given the circumstances and your situation.  One more mortgage payment or the cost of owning 2 homes at the same time while you wait for a better offer may cost more than the difference between the offered price and what you had hoped for.

     Know the Local Real Estate Market:  Most homes that don't sell in their first listing period are overpriced.  You need to be aware of the Sarasota market and evaluate the value of your home based on facts and without emotionalism.  Professional listing agents make their living by "knowing the market."

     Sometimes selling a home or other piece of real estate quickly is a necessity. Even in that case, knowing and using the right process and marketing techniques, without looking desperate and becoming a target for low bidders, will pay off.  Employ a Sarasota Florida real estate professional like Bob Henley, who will ensure you set the price properly and that you don't settle for the first offer unless its the "right offer."

     Choose the right Sarasota Realtor:  Home sellers sometimes pick a friend or family member as their Listing Agent Realtor®.  Don't do that.  Choose an agent with a strong track record and aggressive Marketing Plan.  Selling your home is an important decision !  Make your decisions based on sound professional advice.

     Trust Your Listing Agent:  Would you tell a physician that you’ve decided to do your own diagnosis?   By choosing a Realtor®, you can relax and trust his or her judgment.  The right Listing Agent will protect your best interests and make your sale as profitable as possible.

     Your home sale should not be grueling.  The better informed you are, the better chance you have of making sound business decisions.

     Using an experienced professional Sarasota real estate agent will ensure that important issues, as well as seemingly insignificant details, are handled in a way that gets you your "Best Price."