3 Primary Factors In Listing A Home
When sitting down with sellers in the early stages of listing their home, they often inquire, “How can we sell our home quickly and for top market value?” This is the most important question, right?! There are three primary factors when listing a home. They are location, condition and pricing.
Location: This is the most classically referenced one. Location. Location. Location. We’ve all heard it and this old saying holds a tremendous amount of truth. Location is extremely important. But, what exactly makes a location valuable and desirable? There are several key elements. When you take a city like Nashville that has had recent expansion and growth, as well been on all the “top city lists” from Forbes to U.S. News, you find key elements that make certain locations desirable. The primary one is the proximity to the heart of town or downtown. You will often hear people say, “We are only 15 minutes from downtown.” Also, how close one is to grocery, restaurants and everyday conveniences is a big part of what makes a location attractive. I find that the second most significant consideration in regards to location is often schools. This understandably is of great importance to families. They are looking for high-ranked quality schools, whether they are found in a specific district or are private. The location of these schools makes a big impact on where many sellers will direct their next move. Location is a vital component of the sell of a home.
Condition: This is my favorite one! A seller will want their home to be in excellent condition. I always say, “game day” ready. I love this one because there is so much a seller can do to make their home stand out prior to listing. I use a quality stager. Staging is everything. According to, The Mortgage Reports , “A staged home sells 73% faster than a home not staged.” Also, making sure the home has been freshly painted with on-trend neutral colors makes a huge difference. Having a professional deep cleaning as well is an absolute must. I also recommend that the aesthetics of the home’s outside have been tended to from landscaping to any fresh paint that may be needed. Curb appeal is the first impression for a potential buyer. Lastly, I’m a huge proponent of a pre-listing inspection so that the seller can take care of repairs prior and when the buyers are doing their inspection sellers will have as few surprises as possible. All of this is sure to make a seller’s home stand out from the rest!
Pricing: Pricing is crucial. You want to have a property priced correctly right out of the gate. When looking at pricing a home, I always start with a comparative market analysis. My sellers and I look over what has recently sold and also examine what is currently on the market in their neighborhood. With condition at it’s best and a full understanding of the market, a seller and agent can together price a property correctly, ultimately resulting in a successful and timely transaction.