Peak Selling Condition FAQs

How does the process work?

Our Peak Selling Condition Process is broken down into three phases, (1) Pre-List, (2) Listing and (3) Closing. The Pre-List phase begins with an initial consultation where we present the current market competition, the comparable homes recently sold and the value range of your home. After the presentation, we conduct a “Buyer’s Path” Assessment to determine what it would take to bring your home to Peak Selling Condition. A list of repairs and improvements are prepared and briefed during a follow-on meeting including our target list price and our detailed plan of how we intend to market and sell your home. Your home enters the “Listing Phase” when it is aggressively advertised on the open market.  We maintain consistent communication throughout this phase following up on showings and leads and keeping you informed. Once an offer is negotiated and accepted, we lead you through the “Closing Phase” fulfilling the legal obligations of transferring title. 

How is this different than what other Real Estate Agents do? 

As a Remodeling Contractor, Realtor and Accredited Staging Professional, Austen has the unique ability to know what buyers want and complete only the most cost-efficient improvements to bring homes to Peak Selling Condition. Our team is able to take the best practices of value added remodeling and home staging and bring homes to Peak Selling Condition with the intent of not spending a single dollar on improvements that we can’t get back at closing. Our approach requires detailed market analysis up front of not just the numbers, but the condition and appeal of every home sold in the neighborhood. We’re intent on eliminating the risk of over-improving.

Should I spend my hard-earned money on improvements and if so, how much should I spend? 

That depends largely on three factors, (1) the current condition of your home, (2) your home’s current competition and (3) the value range of your home. We strongly discourage “over-improving” which is essentially investing money into your home now that you won’t get back at closing. Before we recommend any improvements, we identify your home’s Peak Value. 

What are the most important areas in my home that need attention before selling? 

Cost is always a major consideration and if resources are limited, we will recommend improving only your home’s most noticeable liabilities. While curb appeal, kitchen and master suite are important to most buyers, each home is unique and there may be some liabilities that if corrected, would add the most appeal and value.

What if I don’t have money to spend repairing or remodeling my home?

We will still put your home’s best foot forward by putting all the best practices of home staging and home preparation into practice. Home staging does not mean you have to rent new furniture. It involves re-purposing the items in your home for the new sole mission of selling. Sometimes that’s as easy as painting a few areas, cleaning, organizing closets and replacing light bulbs with brighter bulbs. Other times it means moving items to the attic or storage to enable buyers to see passed material objects to the shape and feel of your home. 

What’s the improvement with the highest return on value? 

The improvement with the highest return on value is the improvement that your home needs the most because it’s that area that could be preventing you from motivating a buyer. According to the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, a kitchen make-over is the highest return on investment and we agree only when the local market competition supports it. The key areas that need to be addressed are curb appeal, kitchen and master suite. There are many ways to improve these areas without investing in a costly remodel. We’ve compiled an extensive checklist compiled from years of experience buying, selling and remodeling homes.