THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO SELL YOUR HOME

Artistic and chic, St. Petersburg, Florida, is a bastion of stylish architecture, luxe hotels, and world-class bistros. Known as the cultural center of Florida’s Gulf Coast, this cosmopolitan city houses renowned art museums and the famous Chihuly Collection. Stunning views of the water and skyline round out the long list of reasons why St. Petersburg is one of Florida’s most sophisticated and sought-after cities.

The St. Petersburg real estate market is competitive, with each new home outshining the last. Waterfront estates feature lush landscaping and luxurious wellness amenities, while sleek condos rise high into the jewel-tone sky, setting an extraordinary stage for sunset views and glittering nighttime stars. In this flawless market, sellers need to up their game to keep pace with the competition, so here are the most effective ways you can sell your home.

WORK WITH A REAL ESTATE AGENT

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For sale by owner: this phrase lures in new sellers like the song of Odysseus’ sirens, but only madness that way lies – not to mention headaches, wasted time, and lost profits. Real estate agents have years of experience and a career’s worth of deal-making and selling under their belts. They already have an exemplary foundation of knowledge, meaning they can readily absorb and process any new market information — and there is a lot of new market information.

The real estate industry is in a constant state of transformation, shifting this way and that between seller’s and buyer’s markets and fluctuating with new financial information, like interest and mortgage rates. Agents keep up with these changes on a daily basis and can interpret market information easily and quickly. From knowing the hottest up-and-coming neighborhoods to which areas will yield the highest return on investment, agents hold the philosopher’s stone of industry knowledge.

If you plan to sell your St. Petersburg pad, the best first step you can take is to find a reputable real estate agent to team up with. Working with an acclaimed St. Petersburg realtor will streamline the selling process and open up a world of wisdom regarding how to approach the St. Petersburg market. Your agent will not only offer unprecedented access to professional resources, like the multiple listing service, or MLS, but they also work with industry professionals every day. Especially in the luxury market, real estate agents may work on off-market sales, meaning they may know of clients who wish to bypass the traditional listing services to buy privately.

Your agent will also help you avoid the most common mistakes novice sellers make when selling their property. From underestimating costs to using amateur photos for the online listing, these mistakes happen all the time – and they cost serious time and money.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT TIME TO SELL

This should be the first question you ask your agent: when is the best time to sell this property? Market climate can make all the difference in the ease and ultimate success of your selling process, and your agent can guide you regarding the best time to sell your home for maximum profit.

The market has changed significantly over the last few years, and with the Federal Reserve’s rising interest rates, the changes continue to affect how homes are bought and sold. The market can even vary depending on the season, so if you are considering selling your property, speak with an agent to strategize when you should list. This key piece of information will inform every step of the process and can take you from a mediocre sale to something worthy of celebration.

REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS

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You want your home to look as impressive as possible, but you also want to ensure quality. Gorgeous photos will grab attention, but if your home is not in quality shape, buyers may not be inclined to take the relationship to the next level. Your agent is an invaluable resource when it comes to repairs and any necessary renovations, so have an honest conversation with them about the state of your home.

Walk through your house and jot down every minor repair that could make a difference in the way your property shows. Take note of any door knobs that jiggle, toilets that run, or windows that feel a bit wonky, and make sure to repair all of these small, easy things. Next, walk through with your agent and discuss whether or not any more extensive renovations are necessary to increase the value of your home. Your agent will have a good idea of which home improvement projects are worth the time and money, and they know which features and upgrades local buyers are expecting to see.

A PRE-INSPECTION REPORT

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Most buyers schedule a home inspection once their offer has been accepted. The home inspector does a thorough walk-through of the property, examining everything from electrical work and foundation issues to plumbing and the state of the roof. Home inspections often cause worry for buyers, especially when they have fallen in love with a beautiful property and are eager to seal the deal.

By scheduling your own pre-inspection, you not only have the opportunity to fix things you may have been unaware of, but you can also put the buyer’s mind at ease right from the beginning. When a seller offers up a pre-inspection, a buyer may see this as an act of good faith, which can go a long way with buyer trust. This pre-inspection also affords you, as the seller, a chance to get those repairs and renovations out of the way early on, making the selling process faster and more streamlined.

STAGING

Staging is one of the most effective ways to sell your home. This process of cleaning, decluttering, and arranging your home for maximum beauty highlights every attractive element of your property and allows potential buyers to see themselves living here. Staging essentially creates a blank slate, transforming your home into an aspirational property selling the dream of a luxurious lifestyle. Whether you are looking for staging trends to sell your waterfront home or want to use the idea of curb appeal to make your property stand out from the rest, your agent will help you stage your home for maximum effect.

Are you interested in exploring St. Petersburg homes for sale or listing your property on the St. Petersburg real estate market? Contact Andrew Salamone of The Salamone Group today to learn about moving to St. Petersburg, receiving top-dollar offers, or gaining insight into all that this incredible area has to offer.

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