Ann Arbor Real Estate Myths

Myth #1: "Discount brokers can do an adequate job selling Washtenaw real estate."

Truth: Expert Ann Arbor real estate marketing strategies and promotional costs such as photos, virtual tours, brochures, MLS inserting fees, printing, floor plans, direct mail, yard signs and directional signs, multitude of internet websites, trained and experienced staff etc., are paid for by The Bouma Group. Will the discount broker offer a complete market campaign? Does the discount broker have a staff to personally attend to your specific needs? Does he/she have a proven track record of success, or is he/she using the discounted commission to win your business? Does he/she have the expertise to guide you through problems that may develop during the home sale process and offer process? Remember that you only pay a commission if and when your property sells successfully; you owe nothing if The Bouma Group does not get results. The number of buyers who tour your home will be directly related to the exposure and the network of your Realtor.

Myth#2: "The Bouma Group sells a lot of real estate. Perhaps they are too busy to pay attention to my Ann Arbor area listing."

Truth: Think of it this way, just as superior restaurants are busy at dinnertime and superior doctors have a heavy patient load, The Bouma Group's success in marketing homes has resulted in being busy. Like good restaurants and doctors, Martin has assembled a top-flight team of Ann Arbor home selling specialists to assist him with the routine details and free him up to devote the time and attention you require to sell your property successfully. The Bouma Group has built our business one satisfied customer at a time—and the goal is for you to be another satisfied client who spreads the word about how well you were served.

Myth #3: "You should select a Realtor who says they can get you the highest price."

Truth: This is the oldest scam in real estate: Tell the seller what they want to hear and compliment the home to get the listing. Instead, insist on a written, well-researched, computerized market analysis to determine the realistic amount your home will bear in today's market and price accordingly. Select your Realtor based on their credentials, then decide on price. NEVER SELECT AN AGENT BASED SOLELY ON THE PRICE THEY RECOMMEND. To do so could result in the loss of thousands of dollars and contribute to many sleepless nights.

Myth #4: "Empty Ann Arbor homes don't show as nicely as furnished homes."

Truth: The important consideration is whether or not a home is properly staged, that it is clean, in good repair and available to show. If you must move to your new home before your old home has sold, simply take measure to ensure it shows well empty; repair/replace worn carpeting, oil all woodwork, wash windows and clean the walls. In fact, it will probably appear larger without all your furnishings which will allow a buyer to envision their belongings in each room more easily.

Myth #5: "The condition of your Washtenaw property is not important to buyers."

Truth: Wrong!! A property in superior condition will sell faster and for more money than a home in average condition with a lower asking price. The condition of your property is more important in our current market than ever before. Sellers recognize this and repaint and re-carpet their homes in preparation for selling. These Ann Arbor home sellers know that home buyers purchase value and will perceive a clean, fresh home to be far more appealing than an average, lived-in, forgive-the-mess home.

Myth #6: "Pricing a home for sale is a mysterious process."

Truth: Your Ann Arbor home will sell for whatever the market will bear. To determine the range of value, you simply need to see what similar homes are selling for. Because every home is unique, your home will probably sell for a higher or lower range depending on its condition (See Myth #5 above.) The Bouma Group researches the Multiple Listing Service database to collect information to help you decide where to establish the price of your Ann Arbor home. It is not an easy process, but it's not mysterious either.

Now would be an excellent time to learn how much other homes in your neighborhood are selling for by requesting your Ann Arbor Neighborhood Sold Report. It’s free for the asking!