Along with favourable interest rates, property values have come down rather drastically over the last year.  The real estate market in several regions of the country has seen historic decline in value.  The market in the Chicago area has seen much less of the coastal extremes in value, but prices have steadily come down here too. Buyers have not had a better market to potentially profit from in recent memory.  There are so many incentives to buy, that holding out much longer might be a mistake.  Just remember to buy what you really want because, you can have it for much less than you would expect. So, whether you are looking for a multi-million dollar lake front property or a 1 bedroom condo, you can find a smart buy in this market. 

This is all encouraging news for buying a home, but what about selling a home?  It’s all about being priced competitively and how your home is presented.  It’s essential to be marketed in several ways including, a strong online presence, print media and making your property easily accessible to show buyers.  It’s also very important to hire a Real Estate Agent.  Going it alone is a big mistake for a seller in this market.  A Realtor has experience, marketing strategy, advertising, an established network, the MLS and a strong incentive to get the job done.  

An important aspect a seller can focus on to help a property get noticed is, presentation.  Fixing broken fixtures, painting, using neutral decorations and moving excess clutter into storage can help.  Consider putting all your furnishings and collections into a self-storage facility and hiring a staging company.  They have expertise in creating space that a buyer can visualize as their own and feel comfortable in.  Keeping a home clean and tidy can also make a world of difference in what a potential buyer will think of your home.  

A seller can have an emotional attachment to a home, therefore it can be hard to see what others might like or dislike.  A Realtor should give you an honest opinion of what he or she may think your house is worth and how it shows.  Remember, honesty is what will sell your home. 

Give me a call or send me an email, if you have any real estate related questions or have interest in viewing local property.  My contact details can be found under the “About Jason Hartong” tab.  

According to CNNMoney, it’s the best time in four years to purchase a home.  Click here for an article from CNNMoney.com.