With the upturn in the local real estate market – and it is BUSY out there, let me tell you – we are getting lot’s of calls asking us “what’s our house worth?” A variation on that theme are the buyers that, having seen a property that catches their fancy, will take a look at the list price and then ask us “what do you think it’s really worth”
“Well,” I say, “you’re the one that lives there, you tell me!”
Of course, I know that what they are really asking for is a dollar figure of fair market value because they are thinking about putting their home on the market (or refiancing or fighting an assesment, and we are here for that too!) And buyers are always right to evaluate past sales when considering an offer. No one wants to pay more than they have to for a home.
But sometimes in their zeal to take advantage of market conditions, buyers and sellers miss the most important aspect of a home sale – how does the property fit your personal needs? So when a seller says “I think it is a good time to sell” we always do a needs assesment to make sure that they really have “outgrown” their home or that downsizing makes sense. And the first question we ask is ‘do you like living here?’ When a buyer tries to decide between potential properties, we always try to find the one that makes sense first, and look at the “deal” second. After all, actually living in a house that is too large/small or in an inconvenient location for your family doesn’t feel like a very smart choice a year later, regardless of what a steal it might have been at the time.
So, just a reminder, as we head into what is sure to be a very brisk Fall market: we are here to help with both the dollars and the SENSE of your next home purchase or sale. Call us any time!
Barbara and Tom Nalls
Long and Foster Real Estate, Inc.
Barbara’s Cell: 240-602-9035
Tom’s Cell: 301-237-5170
Office: 240-497-1700
Originally posted 08.27.09
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