Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers
William J. Fitzgerald
 
P-R-I-C-E
 
WHY PRICE IS KEY TO SELLING YOUR HOME
 
Your house is your castle-even when it’s for sale. Let’s assume it’s in splendid shape. Let’s say your terms are competitive; your timings clearly set. Now, what is your asking price? Without question, price is your most important sales tool. Here’s why:
 
               The period of best opportunity for selling a home at a reasonable price is the first four weeks after it is put on the market. Buyers who have seen most available listings are waiting for just the right house to come on the market. If your house is priced right from the first, you are in the best position to attract the maximum number of buyers able to pay the price your home is worth-and to sell your home within your timetable. If your house is underpriced, you may be swamped with lookers and perhaps get many offers. But you could lose thousands on one of your family’s largest investments. If your house is overpriced, lookers are apt to be few and far between, with little chance of any offers to pay your unrealistic price. You may lower your price later, but by that time you will have missed many of the most interested buyers.

How do you set the right price?

Arriving at an asking price involves up-to-the-minute research and experienced judgment. Besides enlisting my help in checking out the current real estate market conditions and financing trends, the basic steps include:
 
*  Measuring your home against similar neighborhood homes that have recently been sold or are currently on the market.
 
*  Determining what features make your house stand out among others currently on the market. After all, buyers are comparison shoppers.
 
*  Weighing the spending of a reasonable amount of money on cosmetic fix-ups that might enhance the marketability of your house and earn the highest possible sale price.
 
*  The right price is usually within 5% of market value (a constantly changing factor) and usually results in a fair-dollar sale within a reasonable amount of time. As we say, “Price sells.”

Why is overpricing risky?

A price more than 5% over market value may have these results:
 
*  Buyers may resist inspecting your home because they can find better values elsewhere. (Overpriced houses tend to sell the competition first.)
 
*  Potential buyers who can’t afford the price don’t bother to look-or to make offers.
 
*  A buyer willing to pay an over-market price may have difficulty getting financing. Lenders may not approve a loan if the appraisal is lower than the contract price. (The delay from a failed sale can mean missing out on the critical first 30-day marketing period.) 

*  Your unsold home will begin to get “stale,” as the marketplace assumes there is “something wrong” with the house. 

*  To make up for lost time you might be inclined to lower the price below competing houses in order to move it.

Is it ever smart to under price?

                Setting a price below market value usually isn’t preferable because you may be losing money. IF time is more important than money and you need a faster-than-average sale, you may consider setting a bargain price to attract the greatest number of prospects. From experience, I know market value delivers the best optimum number of prospects at the best price for a quick sale. When you’re ready to sell your home, take advantage of my real estate expertise to help you price your home to sell.

How a Market Analysis Helps Price it Right

Only a professional market analysis can give you the accurate, reliable foundation you need to price your home right. When you ask me to make a fair-market analysis of your home, here is what I do: 

*  Evaluate your home’s location and lot size; your homes age, size and condition; the number of bedrooms, baths, total rooms; the kinds of extra features you have (such as improvements, built-ins, garage, tool shed, and spa).
 
*  Examine the condition and appearance of your home’s exterior and interior. I can help you determine what repairs or refurbishing may be needed to sell your home at its best price. 

*  Review the assessed value of your home, its previous sale prices, your maintenance and utility costs and your local taxes.
 
*  Compare your home with similar area properties currently for sale or recently sold. 

*  Note current real estate market conditions with a practiced eye; also current interest rates and lenders’ criteria.

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What our clients are saying  

We had great service, we would recommend to family & friends, would work with again, very helpful and went the extra mile to help, very friendly, professional and answered all our questions, returned our calls, emails and text messages very quickly, very reliable and efficient, extremely helpful & informative, very knowledgeable.

 

~ Randy and Jill Stauffer/St. Mary's Seller

Billy was the best, helped me with everything and got it done. I'm very happy and satisfied.

 

~ Joe Young / St. Mary's Buyer

Very good experience with Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers.

 

~ Rick Greer/St. Marys Buyer

Billy got the job done!

 

~ Wally Yowaiski/St. Mary's Seller

Fitzgerald Realty helped us find the home we wanted to invest in and guided us through the process of buying it. Settlement was conveniently done in their office and went very smoothly. We are planning to purchase again through this company. Thanks Billy

 

~ Tom & Betty Campbell/St Mary's Buyer

I reached out to Fitzgerald to find a rental for myself and two kids. I spoke first to Office MGT. , she was very helpful. She then put me in good hand with Mark Thompson. He was helpful, showed me property, answered all my questions, punctual and any time was a good time for him. He definitely was there to help! Thank you so much and when I'm ready to do the whole buying of a house goal I will definitely be calling up Fitzgerald Realty :)

 

~ Leighann Myers / St. Marys Renter

Billy Fitzgerald was very diligent in keeping us informed on the status of the sale and the settlement for the property that we had for sale. He currently has one other listing for us and feel confident that he will be successful in finding a buyer for this property as well. We will certainly recommend Fitzgerald Realty to our family and friends.

 

~ Linda Tyler / St. Marys Seller

I want to thank you for getting my Townhouse sold. The way you took the photos, listed it and being "straight" with me on the asking price made all the difference. I also want to thank you for the excellent service I received while in your capable hands. You are a TRUE SOUTHERN MARYLAND GENTLEMAN and an OUTSTANDING Real Estate Agent. Again, Thank you Billy ....

 

~ Carolyn "Judy" Bakewell / St. Marys Seller

We had great service! We would recommend Billy to family & friends. He was very helpful and went the extra mile to help and would work with again. He was very professional, friendly and answered all our questions. He would return our calls, emails & text messages very quickly. He was extremely helpful, reliable & efficient, also very informative & knowledgeable. I give him 5 stars!

 

~ John Taylor / St. Marys Seller

Good professional, courtesies service. The agent went to bat for me on every opportunity. After the deal was struck Billy aka (COL) did all that was expected and moved rapidly to wrap to entire transaction up. My family appreciated working with Billy and the Fitzgerald Real Estate family and we would recommend their services to others.

 

~ Mark Steedley / St. Marys Buyer

Billy went far beyond what anyone else before him did. Billy is a great person and will be the only one I ever recommend!

 

~ Craig Tiburzi / St. Marys Buyer

Amazingly when I saw a Fitzgerald Sign in the front of property I had to have, I reached out to Mr. Billy Fitzgerald and in less than a month the necessary people were contacted to assist in a short wait to closing. I would gladly recommend The Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers to family and friends.

 

~ Brian Small / St. Marys Buyer

My husband and I were very satisfied with the expertise and helpfulness of Mr. Fitzgerald. 4 stars

 

~ Carol Pingleton / St. Marys Seller

I wanted to commend Fitzgerald Realty & Auctioneers for the great job that they have done, for the many years of selling Real Estate for me and my clients. I have always found you very responsive. “A successful transaction is never an accident it is the result of personal service and a sincere effort”. Keep up the good work. Sincerely, Rudolf A. Carrico Jr. Attorney at Law

 

~ Rudolf A. Carrico, Jr. / Charles County Seller

Awesome ! We are so happy with Billy & Fitzgerald Realty !

 

~ Misty Peed / St. Marys Buyer

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