The news media is not helping Rochester area residents with their conceptions on today’s housing market. Now that less than 10% of home buyers are using the newspaper to find their homes, the internet has both helped and hurt housing sales. HGTV addicts are everywhere.

Carolyn Stiffler, Board President for the Greater Rochester Association of Realtors, GRAR  states that second quarter sales data is being released on July 22nd. She feels that the seller’s market is on the slow side.  Stiffler says there are a large volume of homes for sale in every price range making it a buyer’s market. Homes that may have taken three months to sell are now taking six months.

James Valenti, law partner at Trevett, Cristo, Salzer, and Andolina P.C.  is seeing an increase in homes entering the market from divorcing couples.   In the past, it was more common to have one individual buy out equity of a home from the other party or the custodial parent would live in the home until the youngest child reached 18 years of age. Changes in the economy, along with child and spousal support being added into an individual ‘s budget make finances more tight.

Sellers need to take more responsibility when placing their home for sale.  The first step is to start looking at their home as a commodity and cut off the apron strings with their emotions and memories of the time they spent in their home.  Sellers need to know the facts. It’s great that Uncle Joe built them a deck. It’s not great if the deck never received a certificate of occupancy from the town/village the home is located in. Necessary maintenance issues such as replacing a furnace, roof, or windows are not viewed as upgrades by agents or buyers. These issues however, should get the sale closer to the asking price of the property. The more documentation that sellers can provide regarding updates, utility bill information, and additional improvements made, will impress buyers.One of the smartest things that a seller should do is have a pre-sale inspection.

John White, owner of Integrity Inspections stated that he is receiving more business than ever on homes priced $150,000 and higher for pre-sale inspections. If this does not take place, sellers will have an additional hurdle to cross in a successful home sale. If there are deficiencies that are required, they may be expensive. This may cause a delay in the listing date of the home. Have the repairs made before listing the house. A larger majority of buyers have a home inspection contingency in their offers.

Waiting for home inspection results should be like getting engaged, most likely it’s not a surprise. This inspection, if shared with potential buyers along with receipts of the recommended work being completed, may be satisfactory enough for buyers to not require a home inspection contingency in Paul Nicosia, has 40 years real estate experience. Currently, he is an Associate Broker with Nothnagle Realtors and formerly was the owner/broker of the ERA Nicosia Agency. Paul stated he has not experienced a fluctuation in business for the past three years. One issue he has experienced, despite the internet being a great tool, is inaccuracies on housing websites. Buyers need to learn reliable information on properties from a local Realtor. Paul is working with more short sales than he has in the past. Some banks are not giving a response to offers received within the 40 business days required by new legislation. This causes difficulties selling these homes. In eligible areas, Paul attributes the popularity of USDA 100% financing as a big plus for the housing markets. Due to the large selection on the market, his buyers are finding what they’re looking for more quickly. Homes in the best condition that show well are always are the first to sell. In a buyer’s market, the quickest selling homes have updated mechanics and cosmetics and have been extensively marketed states Nicosia.

It is more important than ever for perspective buyers to pay their bills promptly states Robert Everhart, Mortgage Consultant with First Rochester Mortgage. It is getting more difficult to get pre-approvals. Recent past late payments within a credit report are not being overlooked. Banks are demanding that extenuating circumstances must be the cause for tardy payments. Robert is seeing increased business in buyers buying second upgraded home due to interest rates holding in the mid 4’s.

Overall I believe the difference in selling your home quickly for more money is all about keeping a home’s mechanics upgraded and a strong on line presence.  Home staging sells homes 78% faster for 6% more money.  Have your home completely prepared before listing it by de-cluttering, painting rooms a neutral color, weed the garden, and making repairs. Taking an extra week to list your home may get it sold in a week. If you have poor online photos you simply will not get showings. You have to make your home outshine its competition on the market. Listen to your agent when it comes to pricing.  Look at the comparable properties he/she used to come up with a suggested sales price. When listed, there is simply no excuse to having your house be dirty. I have seen this as a total letdown to buyers and a complete turn off. If your agent ever states that feedback to you take it seriously. Although I hate to say it, selling a house is not fun. Rip off the band aide and put in some elbow grease. Do it right and your house will be the one buyer’s desire.