Wednesday, April 07, 2010

The New Normal and Your Property’s Value

If you are selling your home in today’s real estate market, then you definitely need to appeal to the needs of the ‘new normal’ buyer.

New normal buyers are focused more on saving money and making the most out of a purchase. This might seem like a difficult position for a real estate seller like you, but it will be surprisingly easier to sell to the new normal crowd if you know how to appeal to their whims.

Here are a few methods for you to do just that:

Package your house as budget-wise
If there is one thing that defines a new normal buyer in real estate, it is pragmatism. New normal clients are looking for homes that are well worth the money put down in them. Luxuries and extra amenities are simply out of the question, especially if the new normal client you are dealing with has been bitten hard by the recession. Present your property in such a way that it addresses these basics without going overboard with luxuries, and it will be a whole lot easier for you to convince a new normal buyer that your home is worth every penny.

Toss a few extras in the deal
New normal clients are not just looking for the cheapest house on the block – they are looking to purchase a home that gives them what they want at minimum cost. Providing a few incentives like federal tax cuts or extra appliances will sweeten the deal; adding value to your home without you actually having to sacrifice the overall costs. Give a new normal client the impression that he or she’s getting something extra in the deal, and it will be easier to justify the higher price in negotiations.

Point out investment potential
Another thing about new normal clients is their desire to both save and make money with their purchases. The value of your property will typically increase over time, especially when the economy fully recovers from the blow it received in recent years. Make sure to point this out while providing numbers to solidify your claim, and the new normal client will find your property a lot more attractive as a long-term investment of good money.

Adopt a strategic stance in negotiations
A strategic stance in negotiations is where you keep yourself open to the deals of the buyer without being too aggressive or passive in the process. List down your essentials, concede on a few deals and seal the deal once you are done. This is not a method to directly raise the value of your property, but it is nonetheless an essential step in persuading a new normal client to part with his or her money.

Remember to keep these tips in mind, and you should be able to raise the value of your property while selling to a new normal crowd. Just don’t be too stiff with your prices if you do not want potential clients backing away and looking for better deals out there.