Myth #1 “Discount ” brokers do an adequate job selling real estate.
TRUTH – “Discount” brokers try to attract your attention by focusing on what they cost you instead of what they deliver. We charge no more than the average Realtor, yet we sell homes faster, for more money and more smoothly than the average Realtor (ask to see our statistics to confirm this claim). We are way above average; discount brokers are below average – who do you want negotiating on your behalf?
Myth #2 Tupper’s Team sells a lot of real estate. Are they too busy to pay attention to my listing?
TRUTH – Just as superior restaurants are busy at dinnertime and superior doctors have a heavy patient-load, our success in marketing homes has resulted in our being busy. Like the best restaurants and doctors, however, we have assembled a top-flight staff to assist with routine details, which frees us up to devote the time and attention you require to sell your home successfully. We have built our business on satisfied clients who spread the word about how well they were served.
Myth #3 Open houses are an effective marketing tool.
TRUTH – Serious buyers almost always use a Realtor to help them find and purchase a home…in part, because Realtor services are “free” to the home buyer. Surveys consistently show that most buyers who make it to the closing table worked with a Realtor to buy their home and were not introduced to their home through an open house. Since open houses appeal to looky-loo’s, they are a terrific way for us to meet new buyers to work with, but not a good way to sell your home.
Myth #4 It takes longer to sell a home in winter.
TRUTH – It’s true that buyer activity is heavier in summer than in winter, but listing activity swings much higher in summer and much lower in winter. As a result, when you list in summer, you have more competition from other home sellers. In winter, you have less competition, you are dealing with proportionately more serious home-buyers (who willingly move in wintertime) and your home may enjoy a competitive advantage if it faces south, is relatively close to town, enjoys gas instead of electric heat, or has a level, easy-to-access driveway.
Myth #5 Empty homes don’t show as nicely as furnished homes.
TRUTH – The important consideration is whether a home is properly staged: that is is clean, in good repair and available to show. If you must move to your new home before you old home has sold, simply take measures to insure your former home shows well empty: repair/replace worn carpeting, touch-up all woodwork, wash windows, clean walls. In fact, it will probably appear larger without your furnishings and the buyers can envision their belongings in each room more easily.
Myth #6 Pricing a home for sale is a mysterious process.
TRUTH – Your home will sell for whatever the market will bear. Buyers look at what is available in their price range and buy the best value. To determine your value, you need to see what similar homes are selling for. And because every home is unique, your home will probably sell for more or a little less depending on its condition. We research the MLS computer and use our knowledge of the market to collect data to help you decide where to set the price. It’s not an easy process, but it’s not rocket science either.
