They aren’t hiding from you…Many sellers ask me, “Where are all the buyers?” Or, “Why aren’t realtors showing their properties?” Realtors are not hiding buyers. Buyers are savvy; they shop online, compare properties and know what they are willing to pay for a property. If the property for sale is the highest priced in the neighborhood, the buyer will notice and probably won’t even look at it. There is also the “stale factor”: if the property for sale has been listed for some time, buyers may comment that it is overpriced or something is wrong with it.
When talking with other realtors, I ask them how they find their buyers. Many are referrals from friends, lenders, etc., but the majority is from the Internet. Recently, I sold a property to a buyer that saw the listing on www.realtor.com. When you list your property for sale with a realtor, be sure it is listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Once it is on the MLS, it will be submitted to www.realtor.com, or other major search engines such as Yahoo, Google, Zillow, etc.
Many people who want to sell their homes themselves to save money have created their own Websites, which can be somewhat beneficial. However, a majority of buyers around the world are looking at major search engines because they don’t have the time to scroll through the small, insignificant Websites. “For Sale by Owner” Websites are perfect examples. Personally, I don’t have time to check out each site for individual properties. In addition, sellers will have to pay a fee for each Website. The MLS connects with major search engines and it is easier for buyers to find properties on Maui and around the world. Make your property easy to see online and for showings, price it right and it will sell.
Chris Bakeman, broker, has been a realtor since 1997, selling in both buyers’ and sellers’ markets. Now with her own company, she offers an affordable way to sell your home starting as low as $4,000 full service on the MLS. Contact Chris Bakeman Realty LLC at 283-6126 or www.chrisbakeman.com.