4 Reasons to Consider Selling Your Home as an "Off-Market Listing"

When selling your home, it’s understandable to assume that the best marketing strategy is to reach as large an audience as possible. After all, leveraging the power of real estate portals and publications certainly has its benefits. However, sometimes it’s better to go the opposite direction. Off-market listings, also known as pocket listings, can be an effective way to market a property by word-of-mouth and keep it out of the public eye. Here are a few reasons why this might be the right choice for you.PrivacyFor many sellers, particularly in the luxury sector, maintaining privacy is a top priority. If you’re hesitant to have photos of your living space blasted across the internet for the world to see, then an off-market listing could be the way to go. This ensures that only qualified buyers see the inside of your home and, for high-profile sellers, it can help to keep your name out of the media.ExclusivityOff-market listings have an air of exclusivity that can impact how a prospective buyer views them. Because it’s not available for the public to see, it furthers the impression that this is a truly special property that’s only being marketed to those in the know.Set the ToneOff-market listings can also send an important message and put the seller into the driver’s seat. To potential buyers, it suggests that the owner doesn’t necessarily have to sell, but is willing to for the right price. This helps to encourage a competitive offer if they hope to buy a home that’s not available on the open market.Keep It FreshWhen a home sits on the market for an extended period, buyers might start to think that there’s something wrong with it or that it’s overpriced. However, you never have to worry about this with an off-marketing listing. That’s why this can also be a beneficial way to test the waters at a certain price point with no downside.Note: Pocket listings may be against the local real estate board policy.To be sure to sell it off-market, make sure you work with an agent who is going to be proactive and who already has an exclusive network otherwise it's selling a secret.If you have a property you're looking to sell off-market, call me today.Luciane Serifovic‪(917) 567-8767

4 Recreational Activities That Can Boost Home Value

It’s no secret that luxury buyers want a home that caters to their lifestyle. These days, that often means having a property that gives access to certain outdoor activities and allows them to be fully immersed in their favorite pursuits. Here are several recreational activities that can boost the local real estate market.Horseback RidingEquestrian communities have seen an uptick in demand lately. High-end buyers have increasingly demonstrated a desire for property where they can spend time outdoors, and riding on scenic trails or practicing showjumping has proven to be the perfect solution. Areas that have the infrastructure to support equine enthusiasts, such as horse doctors, trainers and stables, are more desirable than ever for luxury homeowners.SurfingThe concept of purchasing a surf property as a second home is relatively new, but for adventurous buyers with a passion for riding waves, it’s money well spent. Minted millennials, in particular, are driving demand for this new segment of lifestyle property and are willing to pay top-dollar for easy access to uncrowded waves.GolfOf course, for many luxury buyers, golf and real estate go hand-in-hand. Living within a prestigious golf community, or even close to one, can make a home a sound investment that will always be appealing. Furthermore, these homes often come with plenty of other perks and amenities that make them a desirable place to live.SkiingWho doesn’t enjoy spending a few days on the slopes with friends and family in the winter? Thanks to widespread appeal, ski markets have been among the most competitive in the country lately. If a home is located at a ski resort, or within a few hours’ drive from it, then it can certainly benefit from everyone’s newfound appreciation for this cold-weather recreational activity.

4 Ways a Skilled Buyer's Agent Can Give You a Competitive Edge

Here are a few of the ways that you can benefit from working with an agent who has a strong track record for representing buyers. Well-ConnectedA well-connected agent can help you get the jump on pre-market listings before they are even active or notify you immediately if a pending deal happens to fall through. Knows the NuancesA skilled buyer’s agent is essential for providing timely advice and helping to put together a competitive offer. Proven NegotiatorIf the sellers are in the driver’s seat, it’s all the more important that you have a tactful negotiator in your corner who can put the best possible deal together on your behalf. Navigate All AspectsWhether you need a reputable mortgage lender or a diligent home inspector, an accomplished agent is able to guide you through every aspect of the buying process.

Making Your Home Offer Stand Out In a Seller's Market

Getting your offer to stand out in a competitive housing market can be challenging. This means you need to be prepared to move quickly, have the proper documents readily available and even have some tricks up your sleeve. So, if you’re in the market to make an offer this selling season, read on for insight on making your offer stand out in a competitive market. Present Your Best Offer FirstIn a seller’s market, the seller will favor the highest offer. When looking for a home, separating your emotions from the process is essential. This means staying within your budget range and being ready to walk away if the house isn’t in that range. Present your highest offer first. In a competitive market, you likely won’t have the luxury of back and forth negotiations. Get Pre-Approved for a MortgageBeing pre-approved shows the seller you have a serious offer and can afford the property. Having a pre-approval letter before submitting your bid is valuable when time is of the essence and you need to make your offer quickly. In the time you spend obtaining your pre-approval letter, the seller may receive several other offers. Remove ContingenciesThe fewer contingencies your offer has, the more likely the seller will accept your offer. While some contingencies may be inevitable, the most successful offers in a competitive market include as few contingencies as possible. Forgoing an appraisal contingency is one you can eliminate. This contingency allows you to take back your offer if your lender appraises the property less than your offer. You can also forgo physical contingencies; however, it’s crucial that you only eliminate cosmetic contingencies, not any structural contingencies. Put Down as Much as PossibleCash is king, and this is especially true in real estate transactions. Cash transactions are usually easier and have lower closing costs. If making a cash offer is available to you, this is an excellent way to help your bid stand above other buyers who require financing. Offer to Close QuicklyBeing pre-approved and having a contingency-free offer can result in a faster closing time. For example, while it still may take up to 30 days to close, if a seller receives a 45-day closing offer and a 30-day closing offer at the same asking price, they will likely select the offer with a faster closing. Speed Up the Inspection ProcessWhile standard inspection processes vary, a faster inspection process can make your offer stronger. An inspector who can inspect the home immediately after the offer is accepted can be more favorable to the seller. This is because sellers don’t want to wait for an extended period to determine if you will accept the property.