^[1]A short time ago I came across a discussion on a real estate blog about the proper use of flyers and brochure boxes to sell homes. I thought it would be interesting, as a potential home seller, to hear the REAL story about what it takes to sell a home in the Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads market. Just so you know, right up front - you don't sell a home with a flyer, or with an open house. These are agent tools, and as such are largely ineffective at finding a buyer for your property.

Here's how to get an offer on a home:

1: The house should present better than the competition (staging, mainenance, etc).
2: The house’s price should lead the market.
3: The listing must be in the MLS.

Numbers 1 and 2 above will make your home a no-brainer for potential buyers, Number 3 will expose it to the most people. An agent that can advise their client (you) effectively with these three points is as good as gold. Unfortunately, they're few and far between. Flyers, open houses, broker tours, are all ancillary tools that are marginally effective at best, and often are tools for an agent to generate a buyer lead - not necessarily a buyer for your property.

The above 3 points outline how to get an offer, not necessarily how to get a home under contract or closed.

Once the home is under contract, the usefulness of an experienced agent is critical in order to:

• Negotiate terms and conditions of the sale, some of which can be very tricky.
• Handle home inspection and termite/moisture inspection issues and resolutions.
• Understand and relate ALL of the buyers options and possible outcomes of their decisions every step of the way to closing.
• Knowing where to turn for appropriate expertise and answers outside of the agent's capacity.

I can't stress enough the importance of getting a tight grip on items 1 through 3 in the "How to get an offer" part, above. If you price your home appropriately in the beginning, you'll avoid wasting precious days and weeks when your house first gets listed, and you'll be able to take advantage of the largest number of potential buyers. If you price it out of the market (too high), you'll sell your competition's listings, unknowingly. Simple as that.

For a complete breakdown of what your Virginia Beach or Hampton Roads home is worth in today's market, and a snapshot of your competition, contact us here ^[2].