A Happy National Homeownership Month to you from Placer Title Company! We certainly don’t have to tell you how “quite nuts” and “pretty bananas” the local housing market is out there right now – or how important it is to choose the right title and escrow expert during these hectic times. While many of the recent news stories have focused on the plight of buyers, there’s another group noticing all the trends, too – sellers.
Here are some of the findings from a recent national Realtor.com survey:
- 29 percent plan to list their home for more than they think it’s worth.
- About a quarter expect to get more than list price.
- And a good chunk of those (16 percent) expect a bidding war to commence.
During times like these, sellers may not realize the importance of a great listing agent, but we know it can make all the difference. How can you stand out? We know we work with some of the best Realtors in the business, and we’ve got some ideas to add to your toolbox.
Talk about the importance of preparation. No matter how quickly properties are flying off the market, pre-listing steps still need to be taken. Explain why these are important and why you’re the best to do it. Be prepared to explain why these things still matter!
Pump up your local community knowledge. This is cheating a bit. You should always do this, no matter what the market is like or what side of the transaction you’re on. Specifically, you should know if houses are selling for more than list price, why they are selling for so high, and how long your clients should expect a property to sit on the market at a certain list price.
How to navigate multiple offers. No matter how attractive such a situation sounds, we know it comes with its own set of complications. Let sellers know you’re ready to navigate the negotiations, contracts and inspections with them and make sure they are prepared for the journey.
More than ever, it’s important that both buyers and sellers realize how much value the right Realtor, loan officer – and title company – bring to a transaction. Whatever gets thrown your way this summer, the Placer Title team is ready to get to work for you as the escrow partner you can trust anywhere in the Golden State.