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"I need to sell my home in Ashburn VA!" Read on for tips for selling in Loudoun County (specifically Ashburn!)
If you're wondering, how am I going to sell my home in Loudoun County or Ashburn, VA, it's a good question. There's a lot of information out there, and it can be hard to know who to trust. Market predictions and political pundits can make it feel overwhelming, especially in a competitive market like Loudoun County and even more specifically, Ashburn. If you have a home to sell in Ashburn (or anywhere in Northern Virginia, for that matter!), congratulations, my friend. This area is known for its consistently rising market values due to its proximity to DC, steady influx of buyers, and location in a strong school system and well taken care-of area. If you're considering selling your home, reach out: Maureen (202) 827-5069.
Consider these five factors:
1. Understand (and Acknowledge) the Local Real Estate Market
Be honest with yourself when evaluating the marketability of your home. Before you decide to list your home for sale, make sure you have a solid, realistic understanding of the Loudoun County real estate temperature. Home prices can fluctuate significantly due to location, market trends, and property features and condition. You must have a clear-eyed view in order to price and market your home properly.
Eliciting (from a Realtor) or conducting a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) will give you objective information on what your house could sell for. For example, if a similar home down the block with four bedrooms and three baths sold for $750,000 recently, but your home is newer, bigger, and in better condition, that's a strong point of reference for your pricing. Collaborating with a professional Realtor, particularly one who is an expert on the area, can provide you with insights tailored to Ashburn, considering factors like the top-rated school districts, parks, and upcoming developments that could influence your home's value, as well as what current buyers are looking for. Realtors are skilled at creating valuable CMAs, as well, to accurately price your home - a KEY factor in ensuring it's sale!!! (read more on that below).
2. Prepare Your Home To Sell in Loudoun County or Ashburn VA
There are some things that homes anywhere need to sell, and a local expert can advise you on what buyers in this particular area of Loudoun County or Ashburn are looking for. Looks, smells, and first impressions matter. Staging may be in order. Every corner, nook and cranny should be clean, and your house, including cabinets, garage, and closets should be clutter-free. This is another area where a Realtor can advise you to make the process more seamless, as well as getting you the most profit from your home. Making small repairs, like fixing leaky faucets or patching paint chips, can significantly enhance your property’s appeal.
Consider painting your home's interior in neutral shades like soft grays or beiges, which appeal to a broader audience.
Before buyers even enter your house, remember to wow them with curb appeal!
More than half of real estate professionals surveyed—59%—said trees are the landscaping element that can add the most value to a home’s property. They believe that even adding one healthy tree can increase a property’s value greatly. (Study: Property Values Fall 30% From Poor Landscaping, NAR)
Further from the NAR study mentioned above, "A tree is one of the most natural and interesting ways to add color, texture, and contrast to any home’s yard,” David North, a real estate broker in Redmond, Wash., told Trees.com. “The natural beauty of a tree can be especially powerful when it distinguishes one property from others, whether by different shape, color, or size.”
But the location of the tree is important, he says, adding that trees should be planted where they can provide shade, privacy, and even noise protection.
If adding a tree is not in your budget or geographical ability, something as simple as adding potted plants to the porch, a welcoming doormat, and maybe a chair to set on or a decorative wreath can greatly enhance prospective buyer's first impressions, good feelings about the home, and willingness to pay more.
3. Price Your Home Competitively
As your Realtor, I will help you determine what improvements you could make or actions you could take to position your home to be marketed effectively and sold for the most money possible. Whether you're working with a real estate agent or selling on your own, you need to know that pricing your home effectively is crucial to have a successful sale. Some people may assume that pricing at the highest point leaves room for negotiation; however, this is not an effective strategy for real estate. Homes that are priced too high may languish on the market, and if you end up lowering the price (like many sellers do when they are not getting any offers), it makes it harder to convince prospective buyers that there's not something wrong with your property (also, it weakens your position).
If you don't like the price that your Realtor suggests (hopefully based on their well researched CMA!), it's your prerogative to list your home at whatever price you want (if the Realtor agrees to still work with you), or to sell it FSBO (for sale by owner), or work with a different Realtor who does agree with your price. Just know that common wisdom based on real estate statistics states it's better to list your home at the lower to more neutral price, and you may end up netting more in the end due to multiple offers, a bidding war, or buyers who are open to negotiation due to your common sense placement.
A well-priced home often generates more interest and can lead to multiple offers. Pricing too high can put-off buyers, and if the home sits too long, people will wonder what's wrong with it.
One more thing to consider is that "Some sellers are pricing their homes higher than ever just because they can, but this may drive away serious buyers and result in unapproved appraisals"
(HomeLight, Apr. 29, 2021).
4. Market Your Home Strategically
In our digital world, effective marketing is crucial in attracting buyers. High-quality photographs and virtual tours can showcase your home beautifully online. Homes with professional photos sell 32% faster than those without.
List your property on popular online real estate platforms and social media groups specifically targeting the Ashburn area. Having an open house is a great to attract potential buyers, remember, if you're working with a Realtor, they will be able to present you with their marketing plan. It is in their best interest that your home sells - it is theirJOB!
5. Be Flexible and Prepared for Negotiation
As offers start coming in (🤞), be prepared to negotiate. Buyers may ask for repairs or propose adjustments in price based on their inspections. If you are open to communication, both sides stand to gain more from the potential sale.
One strategy is to put yourself in the shoes of the buyer. Consider that buying a home is a huge investment for them, and they want to feel confident that they are getting the best, most honest deal.
Wrapping Up
If you need help selling your house in Loudoun County, Ashburn, or Northern Virginia, or just want a consultation, feel free to reach out. maureenlandes@gmail.com (202) 827-5069 call/text. I would love to meet with you in person or over Zoom to discuss how I can meet your needs. And remember, selling a home has the potential to be stressful, but it doesn't have to be! As mentioned before, Loudoun County and Northern Virginia is a unique, lucrative real estate environment, and by understanding the local market, properly preparing your home, pricing it competitively, marketing it effectively, and remaining open to negotiations, you will enhance your chances of a successful sale.
If you'd like assistance with sale of your Northern Virginia home, reach out! Send an email maureenlandes@gmail.com or call/text (202) 827-5069. Love to hear from you!
Maureen Landes, Realtor
New Home Co-Broker
Relocation Specialist
Your Ashburn Area Expert serving Loudoun County and Northern Virginia
(202) 827-5069
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