As the
seller,
you can
control
three
factors
that
will
affect
the sale
of your
home:
-
The
home’s
condition
-
Asking
price
-
Marketing
strategy
However,
it’s
important
to note
that
there
are
numerous
other
factors
that
influence
a buyer,
and you
need to
understand
these
consumer
trends
when you
enter
the
sellers’
market.
The more
your
home
matches
these
qualifications,
the more
competitive
it will
be in
the
marketplace.
Your
real
estate
agent
can
advise
you on
how to
best
position
and
market
your
home to
overcome
any
perceived
downsides.
Location
Unfortunately,
the most
influential
factor
in
determining
your
home’s
appeal
to
buyers
is
something
you
can’t
control:
its
location.
According
to the
National
Association
of
REALTORS®,
neighborhood
quality
is the
No. 1
reason
buyers
choose
certain
homes.
The
second
most
influential
factor
is
commute
times to
work and
school.
Size
While
some
buyers
want to
simplify
their
lives
and
downsize
to a
smaller
home,
home
sizes in
general
have
continued
to
increase
over the
decades,
nearly
doubling
in size
since
the
1950s.
Smaller
homes
typically
appeal
to
first-time
home
buyers
and
“empty
nesters,”
or
couples
whose
children
have
grown up
and
moved
out.
Amenities
Preferences
in floor
plans
and
amenities
go in
and out
of
fashion,
and your
real
estate
agent
can
inform
you of
the “hot
ticket”
items
that are
selling
homes in
your
market.
If your
home
lacks
certain
features,
you can
renovate
to
increase
its
appeal,
but be
forewarned:
That’s
not
always
the
right
move.
Using
market
conditions
and
activity
in your
neighborhood
as a
gauge,
your
agent
can help
you
determine
whether
the
investment
is
likely
to help
or
hinder
your
profit
margin
and time
on the
market.
