Advice for Selling a Home in Santa Fe or Taos

Setting the Sales Price of your Home

Houses sell quickly and usually for the most money when they are priced properly to begin with. The most common reason that a home doesn’t sell quickly—or at all—is that the price isn’t right. If your home is priced too high, for example, even if you manage to get an offer, the prospective buyer may not be able to secure financing. If your price is too low, you won’t receive your home’s full, fair value. You can rely on your Real Estate Adviser at Kokopelli Santa Fe and Taos Real Estate for guidance in pricing your home properly. Remember, it is the market that determines the value of a home, not the Realtor® and not the Seller. 

Market value is simply the price at which a willing seller would sell and a willing buyer would buy.  It is determined by using comparable properties that have sold in the past three to six months.

Some homes in Santa Fe and Taos will sell within a few days, while others may be on the market for several months or more.  Knowing and understanding the influences the market can have is key to selling your home quickly and for the best price.

Location

The desirability of your neighborhood and its proximity to amenities and services are the greatest influences on fair market value and your home’s ability to sell.

Condition

The condition of your home directly affects the price we’ll be able to obtain and how quickly we’ll be able to sell it. The more you can do to improve your home’s appearance, the better your chances for a quick sale.

Competition

The housing market is competitive. Potential buyers will compare your home to similar properties—including brand-new houses—in Santa Fe or Taos, and your neighborhood.

 
Timing

A “seller's market” or a “buyer's market,” a “hot” market or a “cold” one—real estate is in a constant state of flux. A marketing plan should be tailored specifically for your home, keeping current market conditions in mind.

 
Overpricing has many negative impacts:

• Reduces sales associates activity

• Reduces advertising response

• Loses interested buyers

• Attracts the wrong prospects

• Eliminates offers

• Helps sell the competition

• Can cause appraisal problems

• Extends market time

Never select a Realtor® based on sales price without facts to support it.

As we have stated earlier, Realtors® do not set the price, the market does.  Our Realtors® will present a Comparative Market Analysis of your property.  This report will provide you with the necessary facts for setting the sales price of your property. 

A property makes the largest impression and most impact on the market and Realtors® in the first few weeks of the listing.  The property should show its best and be well-priced at this time.  Experience shows us that a more immediate sale nets the highest profit.

 

PREPARING YOUR HOME

With a little effort, your home can be sold more quickly and at a better price.  These tips have proven invaluable to owners and are worth your special attention.

Lawn and Garden

This is the first place a buyer sees.  Keep landscaping trimmed and the yard free of weeds and refuse.

First Impressions of the Home are Lasting

The front door greets the potential buyers.  Make sure the door is fresh and clean and that the general appearance of the house exterior is attractive.  Check for chipped paint and other signs of wear.  If necessary, repaint or oil and seal the door and other exterior woodwork.

Decorate for a Quick Sale

Why try to tell the prospect how your home could look when you can show them? Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal.   A quicker sale at a higher price will result if you freshen up the paint, refinish wood or tile floors, and professionally shampoo carpeting.

Repairs Can Make a Big Difference

Small flaws in the house can distract the buyer and most take so little time to fix.  When people see areas of disrepair, they begin to wonder whether there may be other unseen problems.  Look for repairs needed; including loose knobs, broken or loose locks, windows, screens, doors, handles, cabinets, drawers, storm  windows and leaky faucets, then fix them!

Make Closets Look Bigger

Organized closets appear larger.  Clean out crowded, cluttered closets and store unused items and out-of-season clothes elsewhere.

Arrange Bedrooms Neatly

Remove excess furniture and clutter from dressers and table tops.  Use attractive bedding and freshly laundered curtains. Minimize or remove all personal items such as family photos, etc.

Let the Sun Shine In

Open draperies and curtains and let the prospective buyer see how cheerful your home can be.  Dark rooms do not appeal to buyers. If your house is dark, make sure that lights are turned on prior to all showings. Replace all burned-out light bulbs.

From Top to Bottom

Should you have an attic, basement or other utility space, display the full value by removing all unnecessary items.  Brighten dark, dull basements and other spaces by painting in light colors.

Bathrooms Help Sell Homes

Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers.  A fresh sparkling, shiny-clean bathroom is attractive to buyers. 

Wash Windows

Keep windows clean.  Hang attractive curtains, drapes or blinds.  Make sure windows and ledges are spotless.  Many buyers check the view from within the house, so let your windows provide the perfect “frame!”

Think in terms of a home that is sparkling clean, uncluttered and spacious. Think in terms of what condition you would want the house to be in if you were the Buyer.


Related Resources:

Guide to working with a professional - From The National Association of Realtors®.