FOUR ELEMENTS TO A QUALITY LISTING

Can it really only be four? Believe it or not--it can be, and here they are:

1) Access to the property 2) Condition of the property 3) Financing for the property 4) Price of the property. Items 2,3, and 4 are certainly important. Good condition is at the top of a buyer's list. Financing, certainly. If a seller were to carry back a second deed of trust for example, or if the property qualified for FHA for example, these are important qualities. Price is paramount, of course because an overpriced listing typically will not move off the market. But number one is: ACCESS! Why is it number one? Because if a buyer can't get into the property, they are never going to buy it. Some sellers do not understand access, they make it difficult for a buyer to see a home. So in descending order from best to worst, in terms of exposure for your home when it's listed, are some tips for access. 1) Lockbox is best - call first and go. 2) Provide a key - the listing agent and office have a key for easy showings, but listing agent must be available. 3) Open access with a phone call -- getting a little tougher. 4) By appointment only - many relocating buyers may have limits on their schedules, buyers want to see homes all at once. If an appointment can't be made on that day, your home will likely be skipped by the showing agent. 5) Limited access - having the home open once a week for 3 hours and that is the time when all buyers must be there. Many buyers hate that. They see other people as competition and are hesitant to find themselves in a bidding war, even if they only think that is what will happen. This is great information found on the Keeping Current Matters Blog. Definitely something to think about.