What does it take to sell a house in Colorado Springs these days? This question is often asked these days by home sellers, and even some agents! With almost 7,000 homes for sale, and closer to only 1,100 a homes a month actually closing, the competition is fierce to be one of the "solds" instead of one of the "for sales". In some ways, it really isn't rocket science.
1. Make sure the house is really priced sharp. If the house is overpriced, everything else becomes meaningless. Price is one of the strongest weapons you have in marketing your home. Make sure it allows adequately for the fact if your home does not have a view, and the neighbor who just sold did, you have adjust for it. Likewise, if you back to a busy street or other less than perfect lot, make sure you adjust hard for these factors.
2. Make sure it is really in top condition. The "fixer upper", "needs TLC" categories of the market are getting passed over in favor of the "like new". I never recommend going crazy with this, but replacing worn carpet and vinyl, painting, refinishing hardwood, getting the lawn in great shape, are all pretty mandatory these days.
3. Be patient. Even motivated buyers want to see lots of houses, so don't expect it to be an instant process.
4. Make sure it is easy to show. Buyers are skipping houses that require 24 hour advanced notice, have to have the seller present for all showings, etc
5. Make sure you have an agent representing you who is really making best of use of online marketing resources. This includes things like making sure the photos are professional and flattering to the house, and offered in many locations and formats, such as http://www.realtor.com/ (including both Showcase and Featured homes services), their own private web sites (like http://www.ricksellscolorado.com/), company sites (such as http://www.remax.com/ or http://www.homescolorado.com/), http://www.homes.com/, etc. Virtual tours, interactive floor plans, etc are also great additional ways to expose the property to potential buyers.
6. Make sure you have an agent that is an experienced negotiator. With all the low offers being written, it can be very tempting to either just "cave in" or refuse to negotiate, neither of which will likely make you happy. Accepting a reasonable offer is always good business, improving an unreasonable one is even better when that is all that is on the table.
7. Make sure your agent is getting feedback on the showings, so you know what you can do to make your house more salable. This is most important with your first 10 showings, because in a normal market, that is all it should take, and a pattern should emerge. In these slower times, it can take a lot more showings.
8. Keep track of market changes. In a slower market, sometimes your neighbors may list after you (for less), and what was a good price at the time you listed may no longer be after even a month.
9. Enter this market only if you are serious about selling. Being on the market in slow times can be like getting a root canal done by a dentist who takes all day. If it really needs doing, fine, but there are things that are more fun, and "testing the market" has been done already, and it is not great for sellers right now.
10. Make sure your agent and their company are positioned to help you be successful in the sale. Companies that do not have staff available 7 days a week to set showings, facility to handle long distance offers, or otherwise don't make it easy to do business with, can cost you showings and/or a sale, something that is too precious in this market to gamble with!

So far in 2007, only 44.7% of the new listings Colorado Springs have sold. If you want to sell your house, follow these 10 tips so you can be among them!