Key Takeaways:

• Some sellers have turned to iBuyers for instant cash offers on their properties, but they have consequently sacrificed the personalization of their home sale. 
• iBuyers use outdated algorithms to value properties, whereas real estate agents use to-the-minute statistics to generate accurate, competitive prices. 
• Work with our team of local agents to expertly price your property—and we can even start crunching the numbers for your updated home value today! 

Here’s What You Need to Know About iBuyers

An iBuyer is a company that makes an offer on your property by using automated value-estimating technology. Rather than partaking in the traditional home sale process, some of today’s sellers are relying on iBuyers to make all-cash offers on their properties. And since iBuyers use automated estimators to price your home, these companies are able to make their offers almost instantly.

Sellers have varying considerations when it comes to their home sales—some prioritize earning top dollar, while others just want to sell as quickly as possible. So depending on your home-selling goals, iBuyers could be a valid option for you. However, no matter what you want out of your home sale, you should always have an expert real estate agent by your side to guide you through the process. 

When pricing your home, you want accuracy—not algorithms

As the local market starts showing signs of a shift, there’s never been a more critical time to know your home’s true value. In the real estate industry, agents price your home through a process called a comparative market analysis (CMA). This process compares your property to recently sold listings in the area that share similar features to your own home. Based on the CMA results, our agents are able to generate a competitive price that will have buyers flocking to your door.

On the other hand, iBuyers use a software they refer to as an automation valuation model, which essentially uses an algorithm to quickly process a property’s data and compute an offer price. When setting a list price for your property, you don’t want to rely on automatic estimators that promise instant (but not accurate!) results—entrust a local agent instead! And when you work with us, one of our pricing experts will evaluate your property in-person to pinpoint its value-boosting features and deliver you an accurate price in real-time.  

The ideal timeline of your home sale should be top of mind 

This is when your home-selling priorities come into play—if selling your home quickly is your absolute top priority, then working with an iBuyer might best fit your needs. Many iBuyers can make you a cash offer within two days of when they receive your property’s information. Then, if you accept the offer and schedule a home assessment immediately, you could close on your house anywhere from two weeks to two months later, depending on any necessary repairs. 

Although the extraordinarily quick timeline of selling your home to an iBuyer may seem compelling, you also have to consider our local market—it’s still skewed towards sellers. According to a recent report by the National Association of Realtors, 87% of properties sold in August 2021 were on the market for less than a month. So with the ball still clearly in sellers’ courts, working with an iBuyer might not guarantee moving any sooner. 

Need Selling Advice? We’re All Ears! 

Ultimately, determining whether you should sell to an iBuyer is a personal decision based on your priorities. And as your local area experts, our agents are here to guide you through the home-selling process no matter which option you choose. Whether you need to sell your home this week or crave a competitive list price that will earn you a profit, you can count on us to accomplish your home-selling goals. 

Key Takeaways:

• As a seller, you have to consider which home renovations are worth spending the additional time and money on before you list.
• The local market is starting to shift towards buyers, so now is the time to sell your home before prices flatten out. 
• Lean on our expertise to determine which projects will increase your return on investment—we have the seller resources you need to enhance your home sale. 

Does Your Home’s Right Buyer Want a Move-in Ready Home? 

Many sellers are wondering whether they should sell their homes as-is (without any improvements) or delay listing their properties to complete some renovations. With the upcoming market shift, it’s important for sellers to consider which improvements are worth spending additional time on before listing. And while there is no surefire answer, we always recommend relying on your listing agent’s expertise to navigate the home-selling process.

Your listing agent should have insight into the right buyers for your particular home, so consult with them to ensure your property is catering to its target market. According to Rocket Mortgage, the average price of a move-in ready property is $250,495, compared to the discounted $199,819 price tag of the average fixer-upper. So if you’re a homeowner wondering if renovations will attract more buyers, the answer is that it really depends on how much time and effort you want to put in. And while we can’t predict what every buyer’s preference will be, we do have some strategies to determine if certain projects are worth the selling delay. 

Return on investment should be top of mind 

When it comes to selling homes, we always have the same top priority—earning you top dollar. Selling your home for the best possible price should be your ultimate goal; so you have to ask yourself how you’re going to accomplish that. When in doubt, here are two things to consider: which improvements will be worth the additional costs, and which projects will gain the greatest return on your investment. 

To put it plainly, some renovations simply aren’t worth the additional costs. You have to be strategic when deciding which renovations to make—and on the flip side, you also have to consider what buyers want. For instance, a home’s kitchen is always a huge selling point, so that may be a good place to implement some changes. 

Minimal upgrades may be the way to go 

As a seller, you have to consider both your budget and timeline before you list. If you want to sell your home quickly, then you probably shouldn’t tackle a full-fledged kitchen remodel. However, if you’re determined to earn an extra dime by doing a long list of renovations, then you just have to be okay with the selling delay. 

Throughout our years of successful home sales, we’ve noticed a common theme: minor upgrades have huge earning potential. Completing a few short-term projects, such as painting interior walls or sprucing up your landscaping, won’t take long. However, they’ll certainly amp up your home’s appearance. Plus, a few tweaks here and there—replacing door knobs, updating light fixtures, or fixing leaky faucets—will take your home from a work in progress to a move-in ready masterpiece. 

Sell now before the market shifts 

You may be wondering, what’s the big rush? Well, real estate experts are predicting a market shift—so by waiting to sell your home, you could lose out on thousands of dollars of equity. Increased housing inventory and slower price appreciation are just two indicators of the upcoming shift. As new inventory begins to increase, now is the time to list your home before prices level out.

Put Success on Your Side 

In today’s shifting market, you have to move quickly towards what you want. If you’re unsure of what steps to take next, our team is prepared to walk you through the home-selling process—and we’re here to ensure you receive the highest return on your investment. Contact us to learn more about listing your home, or you can always come to us with any selling questions!