How Long To Sell? - Virginia Beach Neighborhoods

I get this question more than any other. “How long do homes stay on the market” or “How long will it take for my home to sell?” There is no textbook answer because every house is different. The market time for homes in Virginia Beach varies widely.

Here’s an example of a home that I sold in less than a week. Look at the pictures below. It is a great example of a well staged home.

Sold in one week!

There are three variable that decide how long it will take a home to sell.

Price is the first. If a house is not competitively priced it wont’ sell. It’s as simply as that. If your house is priced too high you may get a few folks stopping by to look, but because it is on a list with 20 other houses, the buyer will choose one that is a better deal. The buyers don’t need to over pay in this market to get what they want. Pricing your home right around comparable sales is a great place to start.

The condition of your house is just as important. You have complete control of this variable. Keeping your house clean and uncluttered while it is on the market takes time and effort but it is well worth it. I could go on for days on the psychology of buying, but suffice to say that you want to create an enticing environment for the buyer.

While your house doesn’t need a complete remodel to sell, it should be updated and in good repair. A new coat of paint is probably the most cost effective way to make an older home seem newer, and buyers like new! While you are at it, make sure the trim is semi-gloss white and the walls are neutral. There is nothing wrong with having a bright red accent wall in your house, unless you are trying to sell it.

Since you are planning to move anyway, pack up half of your stuff and put it away in storage. You will be amazed in how much bigger your home feels. Buyers will feel this too. If half is too much, then just pick out the stuff that you can live without for the next six months.

In the end, every home is different so every home will take a different combination of updating and price adjustment in order to sell in the desired amount of time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me anytime. In this market, a little bit of professional advice can go a long way towards making your life easier!

WilliamLayton.com