California residents and others who are looking to sell their homes may assume that the process will work itself out with no need to negotiate effectively. However, selling a home can be a complex process regardless of how nice a home is or how nice the neighborhood is. A big mistake that sellers make is to take an offer that is lower than market value.
Sellers should expect that buyers may make an offer that is lower than list price. Ideally, sellers should counter with an offer to include furniture in the home as part of a deal to purchase the home at list price. As a general rule, sellers should focus on the benefits of a home as opposed to the price tag. It is also a good idea to use active voice when negotiating a home sale to increase the odds of getting the best deal.
Listing a price for a round number may not be ideal for sellers according to research done at the University of Florida. Therefore, it may be best to offer a home for $104,000 as opposed to $100,000. Regardless of how much a seller asks for, it may be a good idea to have a backup plan in case quality offers don’t materialize. For example, a homeowner may choose to rent the house until a good offer to buy it comes along.
Those who are looking to sell a home may want to first consult with an attorney. This may make it possible to look for any zoning or title issues that the homeowner may not be aware of. It may also be a good idea to work with a real estate agent to help price the house or to engage in negotiations with those interested in the property.