Between low inventory and high buyer demand, there’s no denying that we’re in a seller’s market. But just because it’s a seller’s market doesn’t mean that every house is guaranteed to sell—although you wouldn’t know that based on what people are saying.
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions going around about selling in today’s market—and if you’re planning to sell, it’s important to ignore them. So what, exactly, are the biggest misconceptions about selling in 2021?
A recent article from Realtor.com outlined things people are saying about selling in today’s market that just aren’t true, including:
It doesn’t matter if your home is in bad shape. There’s a misconception that buyers are willing to take anything in today’s market—including homes that are all but falling apart. And while fixer-uppers are certainly selling, if you’re hoping to get top dollar for your home, presenting your home in the best possible condition is a must—so make sure to take care of any necessary cosmetic changes or repairs (like painting your home’s exterior or replacing broken light bulbs) before you list.
You can price your home as high as you want. Home prices are going up, but that doesn’t mean you can list your home at an unreasonable price and expect it to sell. Pricing too high can cause your home to sit on the market, ultimately making it harder to sell—so when you list, make sure you price your property realistically.
You don’t need to market your home. Just because there are a lot of buyers—and not a lot of properties—doesn’t mean you don’t have to market your home! Working with your agent on a solid marketing strategy will ensure your home gets in front of the right buyers—and can help it sell faster and for a better price.
The Takeaway:
Bottom line? If you’re planning on selling your home, don’t believe everything you hear—especially these real estate myths that could put a damper on your home sale. Give us a call today and let’s separate the facts from fiction! Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS The Hanley Home Team of Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-515-2479 HanleyHomeTeam.com
We’ve all experienced the stress and tension of moving, right? Even after you’ve done all the footwork to find the perfect place, you’ve still got to deal with utilities, packing, moving trucks, lukewarm fast food meals, lost and broken items…
Oh, and if you’ve moved more than 20 minutes away, even after you’ve unpacked, you’ve got to find a new grocery store, school, park, favorite restaurant, etc. etc. etc….
So yeah, we all know…
Moving is a seemingly endless stress buffet.
When someone you love is going through it, how can you help to alleviate that stress? Well, outside of paying for their movers (PS SO WORTH IT), you can give them one of these moving/housewarming gifts. Some are gifts of time, some are thoughtful treats, and some are available on Amazon so even if your friend is moving to a new town, you can send Prime to the rescue! Best of all, you don’t have to get cutesy or craftsy; you can send any of these goodies as-is.
Check ‘em out and you, too, can be the most thoughtful friend/family member ever when you send housewarming gifts people actually want…
1. FOOD
At the end of a long day of taking all their worldly possessions off of a truck, your friends are going to be HUNGRY. And this isn’t any run of the mill hunger; it’s more like an I-just-ran-a-marathon hunger. The really bad part of this is that they won’t have food in the house and will probably be too tired to hit the ol’ grocery store. Solve this problem by sending them dinner. If you’re in town, you can bring it by (but don’t stay a long time), and if you’re not, you can send DoorDash or UberEats to feed these hungry folks for you.
2. COFFEE
Ahh, the first morning in a new house. So calm, so quiet, so… WAIT, where the heck did we pack the Keurig? And what box are the K-pods in?! Doing a Starbucks run (or, again, sending a delivery driver to do it for you) will have your tired pals crying happy, caffeinated tears faster than you can say Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
3. WINE / BEER / COCKTAILS IN A CAN
When your friend is done bringing in boxes, they probably want to relax with a frosty adult beverage. Let them know you’re thinking of them with booze in a can. Canned bevvies are all the rage right now and so easy to enjoy. No need to locate the bottle opener, corkscrew, or bar accessories; they can just pop the top and sip away.
4. YOUR ELBOW GREASE
While this is the least fun option, it’s also probably the most appreciated. Whether it’s running to buy more boxes and tape, helping to load that absurdly heavy table, or sitting and chatting while you both unpack the kitchen, your friend will appreciate you for pitching in on their hardest days. Also, they’ll owe you one heck of a big favor.
5. CLEANING SUPPLIES
Running out of paper towels and Windex when you’ve got to clean out the fridge in the place you’re leaving is just about enough to make a person cry. Same thing when you get to the new place and it’s… less than spotless. Coming by with a box of essentials will elevate you to a godlike status… and if they don’t end up using them right now, you know they’ll get used in the future.
6. BATHROOM ESSENTIALS
Just like the paper towels, there are other paper products that you absolutely, positively HATE to run out of. Bring a package of TP — the GOOD stuff, not the kind that feels like tree bark… and some premium hand soap. Again, you know they’ll appreciate it mucho and it’s definitely not going to go to waste. (Err, no pun intended.)
7. A CLEANING SERVICE
If you owe your friend-on-the-move big time, or you’re just #ballerstatus, send them a cleaning service. Having someone do the work for you is a beautiful thing, and walking into a sparkling clean home when you’re still trying to get everything in your life back to normal brings such a sense of relief. It might not even be as expensive as you think. Depending on the size of the house and the location they’re in, you might be able to get this great gift for less than $100.
There’s nothing like a fresh, new start at a fresh, new house, and nothing says, “Welcome!” quite like a fresh, new doormat. There are so many neat ones available on Amazon or at your local Target. No matter what their taste is, you’ll be able to find something that applies.
9. PLANTS
Houseplants lend a homey vibe no matter what the season. Bring over a few potted plants and know that you’re enriching your friend’s new home environment — both with a pretty plant AND with life-giving oxygen. Not sure if your friend is a plant-y person? Bring a succulent or two; they’re notoriously hard to kill.
10. A LIST OF FAVES
If your friend is moving into your area, save them a ton of time by bringing them a list of neighborhood favorites. Add things like restaurants, things to do, and local services they might need. Big ol’ bonus points if you have a trustworthy babysitting reference — that alone is worth its weight in gold.
11. POOL FLOATS
Did they get a new pool along with the new digs? Pool owners LOVE getting goodies for swim time. Ride on floats, beverage floats, remote-controlled boats — it’s all good! Also, it’s almost guaranteed you’ll secure an invite to go swimming when summer hits.
No pool? No problem. Get them something to help them enjoy their new garden or patio… whatever form of the great outdoors they have. After all, no matter how nice the house is inside, sometimes it’s nice to hang out outside, too!
12. KITCHEN TOWELS
When you’ve got a sparkly new kitchen, putting your dingy old towels on the counter is kind of a downer. Gift your pal some spiffy, clean kitchen towels and they’ll think of you every time they walk into the kitchen.
13. A SUBSCRIPTION CRATE
From candy to coffee, dog treats to dinners, there’s a subscription crate for just about anything your friend is into. If they’ve moved away, let them know you’re thinking of them on the regular with a monthly crate. It might not get there on moving day, but it will relieve some stress and make them feel loved all the same!
14. NOTHING PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE
This should go without saying, but sometimes well-meaning people think that just about any time is a good time for “advice.” Moving time is NOT the time to gift a Dave Ramsey book (even if the house is on the pricey side), nor is it a time to ask why they have so darn much stuff and then offer a trip to Goodwill. Your friends are already under enough stress, so no matter how much you “wonder if you ought to say something,” the answer is NO — or at least, not right now.
We have some good advice about buying a home so you get some house warming gifts, too! (BTW – we give some darn good closing gifts to our customers!) Give us a call – Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS The Hanley Home Team of Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-515-2479 HanleyHomeTeam.com Team@HanleyHomeTeam.com
Usually when agents start talking about referrals, people assume they’re hunting for new listings or more buyers to represent. This isn’t one of those posts!
In fact, we wish more people would come to me looking for referrals in the community. A good real estate agent knows people in the community you can trust, and we’re always happy to provide the connection.
If you think about it, agents pretty much interact with all of the people dedicated to protecting, improving, or maintaining your biggest asset: Your home. Whether it’s a local insurance agent, an honest contractor, or a crack crew of yard and maintenance people, agents are great sources of “who you should know.” (We’re also reliable sources of locals-only community info!)
It’s too bad that agents are often involved only in the sale or purchase of a house. We prefer to think of ourselves as a lifetime consultant to our clients, and providing the names of people we would stake my reputation on is simply a part of our ethical obligation to serve.
So, by all means, if you’re looking for someone in the greater Jacksonville area, do drop us a line. We’d be more than happy to help: Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners Southside 904-422-7626 http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com
“Advice to children crossing the street: damn the lights. Watch the cars. The lights ain’t never killed nobody.”
Jackie “Moms” Mabley (born Loretta Mary Aiken), American standup comedian
“But I had the light,” is probably one of the most common phrases spoken after a car accident. Green means go for me, red means stop for them. Before you know it, you’re on the phone with your insurance company.
Who doesn’t remember an adult reminding them to “look both ways before you cross the street”? It seems like common sense so basic we wouldn’t even need to teach it. But it’s funny how that lesson, which seems so obvious, is often lost in other areas of our lives.
Take, for instance, the raft of real estate market data you hear every month. What’s new construction looking like? How did pre-existing sales do last month? What’s it look like in the greater metro area for condo prices? To a certain extent, these are just the traffic lights of real estate. Agents help you look both ways before you act on those “trusted” signals.
Knowing the local market doesn’t necessarily mean knowing the big numbers. It means knowing the specifics. It means knowing how to interpret market activity tailored to the needs of my clients. Metaphorically, it’s our job to be a good scout and protect client interests as they “cross the market” (and that includes not getting hit by a bus-sized bad move).
Reporting always lags behind reality, though the delay may be small or large. Local agents are the best real-time readers of neighborhoods and inventory. Don’t get too nervous about what you hear in the news. Talk to someone who’s out there making it!
Keep your eyes open our there, and best of luck this week! Get in touch if you’re thinking about making a move soon:
Kevin and Jennifer Hanley, REALTORS – http://www.HanleyHomeTeam.com – 904-422-7626 Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners
