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Where can I find a horse farm with good resale value?

Before buying an equestrian property, it is important to remember to take into consideration the resale value of the home. You never know what the future holds. Your financial situation might change and you might be forced to sell your home to make ends meet.

That's why it is better to be prepared than sorry. It won't kill you to be a little more critical about a home if it's for your future.

Usually, factors that you'll look for in a home such as number of bedrooms, storage space, location, and lot size are the same things that will determine the resale value of a home. That's why you won't really have to make any big changes on your list of things to have in a horse farm for sale.

If you're looking for a horse farm with a good resale value, Charlottesville VA is the place to look at. Well-known for being a community of horse enthusiasts, you're sure to find the right home here.

The home buying process can be a long and winding road, where the most experienced buyers can sometimes make mistakes. Even if you take extreme care and think you’ve double-checked everything, financial losses can still happen.

Homebuyers need to be aware of the process of acquiring properties so no mistakes can be made.

If you decide to buy a golf home, make sure to be aware of the common mistakes such as not double-checking locations, working with a realtor, and being well-versed in the art of negotiation and knowing your worth.

Here are some of the most common mistakes you can make when buying a golf course home and how you can avoid them.

1. Don’t Buy in the Wrong Location

This is one of the key factors you must get right in the buying process. Even if you see a house that’s perfect with your dream specifications, it might not be as comfortable as it should be if the neighborhood doesn’t suit you.

You might think that a neighborhood doesn’t matter if your home itself is great, but surroundings can change your mind even if that’s the case. You definitely can’t make yourself love a location that makes you feel uncomfortable.

You’re in luck if you’re still searching! Charlottesville has plenty of golf communities to choose from various price points and home styles. It is important to visit the location yourself to find the neighborhood that feels right for you.

2. An Isolated Community Is Not Ideal

Some golf communities might offer you a good view, great scenery, and community, but amenities are a longer commute than you prefer. You may not want a home that takes you more than thirty minutes to reach shopping districts, restaurants, and medical services?

This can also apply to distance from other leisure places such as rivers and hiking. It might be great to live on a golf course, however, it won’t make a good home for you unless the other places that are important to you are accessible as well.

You may end up being bored and feeling lonely, especially if you don’t know anyone within the community. Make sure the community you’re buying in is close to the public spaces you enjoy.

3. Working Through the Process Alone

For first-time buyers, purchasing a home can be a confusing process to go through without a realtor. Realtors are great helping hands and sources of information when it comes to the buying process. Even if you have bought properties in the past, seeking help from a real estate agent is still very effective.

Real estate agents are equipped with the knowledge to work through the home buying process smoothly. At the same time, they can often find you more potential homes than what you’d find on your own. You can have your preferences matched with the ideal home when you work with an agent.

This is a very critical move to take that might be regrettable if you don’t take it. A little help never hurt anyone.

4. Buying a House in the Wrong Location

The biggest factor influencing price for a golf course home is the view and location relative to the golf course itself.  This can cause the most common mistake that home buyers often make when buying a golf home.

When you’re searching for a golf home specifically, you have to look out for the view and location on the golf course. When searching for a home in a typical community, you may be searching for mountain views or just a nice view of the neighborhood.

However, if you’re searching for a house specifically in a golf community, location on the golf course is everything. Homes with a great view of the golf course will sell more quickly.

You will enjoy a home with a great view of the course even if you’re not yet thinking of reselling in the future. But you should never forget: the better the view, the higher the price.

5. Incomplete Negotiations

You should never meet directly with a seller when negotiations are still ongoing or if they haven’t been initiated yet. When working with a realtor, you will not be meeting with the property owners to discuss matters. Your real estate agent can handle negotiations.

Meeting up with an owner or agent can be tricky, especially if there is not a ratified contract yet. When you discuss matters with them and even give the smallest compliment, there’s a possibility they’ll become less flexible on the price.

To avoid these situations, it’s always best to allow your agent to do what they do best.

6. Lack of Research

When buying a home, whether it is on a golfing property or not, you should be prepared in every aspect. This includes your budget, money, mortgage approval, realtor, and everything else. This also means that you should have done your complete research.

With a realtor, you have access to more information than without one. It is very important to keep in mind that you know what you want to buy, know how much you can afford and what you’re paying for, and all in all, have a clear goal in mind. Communicate all these goals with your agent.

The golf community market can be confusing for first-timers. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up on your dream of a golf course home. In fact, this just means you’ll have to do a bit more research.

Are Golf Homes a Good Investment?

Gold homes are a good investment. However, throughout the buying process, an important thing to remember is that a golf home’s value will always depend on the golf course itself.

When looking for one, always ensure the course is in the best condition, with an attractive neighborhood and accessible amenities. You can often have the opportunity to play the golf course or to ride around it in a golf cart.

Final Thoughts

Every home is a great investment if you look for the right one. With golf homes, even the smallest change within the golf course and club itself can decrease your property’s value. If you think a golf course near your prospective house will close soon, it might be time to rethink options.

Thanks to the pandemic, buying a house on or near a golf course could be a win both for golfers and non-golfers. Living next to a golf course gives you a good view of a scenic landscape. This is very relaxing, especially these days when everyone is working from home. Aside from the good view, though, does a golf course increase your property's value?

A golf course adds value to your Charlottesville, VA home by providing an area where you can enjoy the outdoors and practice social distancing. It also increases your property value! 

Today, I will discuss the factors to consider before investing in a home on or near a golf course: 

Do golf courses increase property value? 

Is golf course property a good investment?

Should I buy a house next to a golf course? 

The number of people interested in owning houses on a golf course grew over the course (no pun intended) of the pandemic. 

Read on to learn more about these things!

Do golf courses increase property value?

Golf courses absolutely do increase property value. In a study in the early 1990s, it was found that home values near a golf course increased by 7.6%. Recent studies show that the farther in the community the house is from the golf course, the lesser the property’s value.

Also, properties with a great view of the golf course have a higher value than homes without that view. Additionally, a house without a golf course view still has a higher value than one outside the neighborhood. 

From these stats, we can assume that a golf course in a residential community adds to the property’s value.

Is golf course property a good investment?

A golf course property is a good investment. An important thing to consider, though, before investing is the quality. The property’s value will depend on the golf course itself. 

Recently, there has been a rise in people’s interest in living on or near a golf course. Before, there was a noticeable decrease in participation in U.S. golf. Participation dropped from 29 million per year in 2006 to 24 million per year in 2019. Between January 2020 and February 2021, though, there was a 26% jump in searches for properties with a golf course. 

Many Americans are starting to leave city life behind due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People are encouraged to work from home to stay safe from the virus. Since golf is an outdoor sport that can accommodate social distancing while still allowing interaction with your friends, more people are turning to this sport. 

Should I buy a house next to a golf course?

You may buy a house next to a golf course. However, there are many considerations to think about when buying a house. Among these are cost, house size, and proximity to the workplace and other commercial areas. Some buyers will ask if they should buy a house next to a golf course. 

Here are the benefits of living next to a golf course: 

Beautiful View and Surroundings

A friend told me that they still remember the first time they saw a golf course. “As a kid, its vastness was astonishing. I saw it while I was at a friend’s house. The view of the golf course was visible from their living room. This memory stuck with me because of how pleasing the view was for me.” 

Having a view of the golf course is an application of the concept of "appropriation." This was articulated by Humphry Repton, one of the pioneers of landscaping in the early 1800s. The view of the landscape can be seen from a house that integrates a view into the resident's property. 

Having access to beautiful surroundings can help us stay mentally healthy. Not only that, being able to take part in leisure activities, such as golf, can also help us stay fit and entertained. 

A Haven for Golfers

This is the most obvious benefit of buying a home on a golf course. If the buyer is an avid golfer, living near a golf course is like heaven to them! They will be able to play the sport that they love just steps from their front door. The buyer may also get a discounted club rate and discounted annual membership dues. 

The Prestige of Owning a Home on a Golf Course

Many golf communities are associated with luxury.  The neighborhoods have been laid out with an eye to natural beauty.  And they are full of well-maintained, high-quality homes.

There are many options to choose from if you are looking for a golf community home in Charlottesville. There are properties in Glenmore, Old Trail Village, Spring Creek, Farmington, Keswick Estates, and Lake Monticello. Pam Dent would love to share her knowledge to help her buyers find the perfect home. 

Final Thoughts

Living next to a golf course in disrepair isn’t going to make an attractive investment property. A well-maintained golf course is more likely to increase the value of the property. We are lucky in Central Virginia to have a selection of beautiful golf communities that offer homes in various styles and price ranges.

Are you looking for a home near a good-quality golf course in Charlottesville, VA? Pam Dent, a realtor who is an avid golfer herself, would be the perfect choice to help you. She has first-hand information about the golf courses and golf communities. She also cares about her clients. You may contact her through this number: 434-960-0161. You may also want to check this video: 

As a prospective homeowner, there is a lot for you to consider before you buy a home. It is likely that you already have a dream home in mind. You might know the neighborhood that you want it to be in, or how you want the structure to look. You may already have a checklist of all the features that you need the house to have. The more elaborate your checklist, the more expensive your dream home will be.

If you want to buy a home in Charlottesville, VA, you might be wondering how much you’ll need to save up. It all depends on you, and the type of home that you’re looking at buying. There are quite a few things that could make the house you want to buy expensive. The more expensive it is, the more you will need to save.

This article will explain the cost of the average home in Charlottesville, VA and how much you might need to save to buy one.

What Are Property Values Like in Charlottesville, VA?

For those looking to buy a home in this city, they have to know how much they’d be likely to spend. The median price for a home is about $355,000. Of course, there will also be plenty of homes below and above this price. 

For instance, over 50% of homes available in Charlottesville cost between $250,000 and $500,000. As prices go higher or lower than that range, the number of available homes decreases. But even if you are looking for seven figure homes, you will find a good selection in Charlottesville.

You’ll also find many three-bedroom homes here, followed by two-bedroom houses. If you need even more space, then four-bedroom houses make up 16% of homes in the city.

Since the year 2000, homes in this city have appreciated 134.5%. This is about 4% every year, on average. This is something to consider for those who are planning to buy a home for investment purposes. Over the last ten years alone, the appreciation rate has been about 40%. This is in the top 30% in the nation.

Speaking of investments, you may want to buy a home as a rental property. Charlottesville, VA, is a great location to consider if that is the case. The average rent goes for about $1,700 every month, and about 60% of residents are renters.

How Much Money Should I Save to Buy a Home in Charlottesville, VA?

If you have the cash to buy a home, it is always best to do it outright. This is not an option for most people, which is why they turn to their banks to finance the sale. By getting a mortgage, most people can become homeowners.

You will always need to pay a down payment on the house, even with a mortgage. The percentage of the total house price for the down payment varies. Many people use 20% as a rule of thumb. It can be lower than this, but it is unlikely to be higher. This makes it a good benchmark to use. If the house you decide to buy costs $500,000, you will have to have $100,000 saved up.

To always be on the safe side, ensure you have 20% of the total put aside. If you manage to get a smaller percentage on your down payment, that’s a definite bonus. You can put this extra cash to use if needed, especially if you might need to make some repairs.

What Factors Can Make a Home More Expensive in Charlottesville, VA?

When looking for a home in Charlottesville, VA, some things can make a house more expensive. You should have these in mind and keep your wallet at the ready. Especially if you want a five-bedroom estate or something like that!

Just because you can afford a house that large doesn’t mean that it is a good idea. Look at your monthly income and make sure that the mortgage won’t take too much of a hit on that. You are going to be paying it off for decades. You should go for a mortgage that is comfortable and won’t leave a serious dent each month.

Here are the factors which increase the value of a home:

The size. This might be the most important consideration when looking for a home. The square footage of the property has a large effect on how much it will cost. This doesn’t refer to the house alone, but the entire lot. There are homes in Charlottesville, VA, that belong to golf communities or have farm space. All that extra land is sure to drive up the listing price. If this is what you want, make sure that you prepare for it. Homes like these are beautiful!

The neighborhood. Charlottesville, VA, is a city and there are many neighborhoods within it. These areas can differ quite a bit and this can show on the average price for homes. Ivy is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in Charlottesville. In fact, it is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in the country. The median price for a home here is $790,000. This shows how important it is to select a neighborhood wisely.

The year of construction. Simply put, the newer a home, the more expensive it is likely to be. The reason for this is rather straightforward. A lot of things in the house will be less likely to break down! Some of the most important parts of a home are the most expensive to fix. This includes the plumbing, wiring, and roof. If any of these get damaged, it will cost a lot of money to fix. A newer house is a sort of guarantee that these parts of the structure will last longer. Buying an older house for cheaper saves you some money you might need for fixes.

To summarize everything, you should aim for a house which you can afford comfortably. The amount of usable space, the area, and how old the house is, affect the price.

Whatever the price might be, have 20% of it on the ready. This will help avoid any disappointments you might encounter. Nobody wants to miss out on the house of their dreams.

To consider a home a good investment, you need to know what you plan to do with it, as well as where to buy it. In Charlottesville, VA, buying a home can be a good investment. With Charlottesville country homes, there often is open land which may increase in value along with the house itself. Mark Twain is quoted as saying “buy land, they aren’t making more of it”. The fact that there is a finite amount of land, makes these homes a great asset if you need a smart place to put your money.

There are many reasons why you might be buying a home in Charlottesville, VA. You might want a home to live in with your family, or a retirement house. Others might be looking for a place with space to start a farm or raise horses. Charlottesville horse properties are always in demand. Yet, some people want to buy a home only as an investment. They may either be aiming to make a profit in the short-term, or years in the future.

Luckily, there are multiple ways to make money off of a home. Unlike how it might seem, investing in a home isn’t as easy as buying it and selling it years later. While value tends to be secure in a home, it does not necessarily increase. If you know what you are doing, investing in a Charlottesville, VA home will be easy. This article is here to tell you more on investing in Central Virginia country properties.

How to Make a Home a Good Investment in Charlottesville, VA

Real estate is a very complex domain. Ensuring that a home is a good investment requires more than just buying and selling. It requires patience, energy, time, and sometimes more money. Regardless of this, if you put in the effort, it’s possible to reap returns on a property. Here are some of the main ways to invest in a home in Charlottesville, VA.

1. Buying to sell later. The many Charlottesville equestrian estates in the area are perfect for investment. The open land offers the possibility for a variety of agricultural ventures.  This could be a farm for horses, a vineyard, or a sustainable family farm, and you can add barns and agricultural buildings. Many of our local horse farms are perfect for an equestrian business.  Owners can also choose to leave the property vacant, but the potential is still there. As a result of this, holding on to a property and selling it in a few years in a strong economy is likely to bring profit. With this form of investment, accumulating a profit will take several years. One major advantage is that the seller can live in the home during this period. As long as the house is well-maintained and the land is cared for, then selling value will likely stay intact.

2. Buying a rental property. In 2017, there were 43 million rental households in the United States. At any time, in Charlottesville, there will never be a dearth of potential tenants, particularly due to the University of Virginia and the University of Virginia Hospital. Many people cannot afford a home of their own, so they must rent one. For others, they see renting as a short-term alternative to buying a house. Regardless of the reason, it remains true that renters are almost always available for a well located house. By buying rental property in Charlottesville, VA, you it is possible to get consistent returns. There are two ways to approach purchasing a rental home in Charlottesville, VA:

Leave the mortgage to the tenants. By buying the house with a mortgage, you are in debt to the lender. Apart from the usual 30% paid upfront, you won’t have to pull anything else out of your wallet. This means that without much monetary commitment, your tenants will pay every month. Of course, most of their rent will go towards paying the mortgage. But, you can always ensure that there is a nice profit on top of the rent for you.

Pay off the house in full. This option is a bit more limited, as not everyone will be able to do this. When the house is paid off in full, there is more safety for the homeowner. The house is theirs, and there is no risk of foreclosure if tenants default on payment. Yet, it will take years for them to recoup the value of their investment. This option is better suited for individuals who don’t mind the long-term investment.

3. Buying a property to flip. If you ever find a good deal on a Charlottesville, VA home that needs extensive repairs, go for it. These kinds of properties are perfect for flipping, particularly when the majority of the repairs are cosmetic and not structural. When a seller knows that the home is in a state of disrepair or neglect, the value of the house gets discounted. 

By purchasing the home and making repairs, it can often be sold at a significant profit. The house does not have to be in a bad state either. A house that is old or outdated can also get flipped. Such a house will likely get sold at a lower price due to its age. By renovating the structure to a more modern standard, you can add to the asking price. Flipping requires effort, time, and money, but can be profitable in the short-term, particularly if you are able to make some of the renovations yourself and do not mind some “sweat equity”.

How to Get the Best Value out of Your Investment Property

The goal of an investment is to reap a profit. The expectation is that you will try your best to maximize the profit that you get. With any luck and a few simple things in mind, you won’t leave money on the table.

Keep the property well-maintained. When you neglect a home, it begins to show. Few people want to buy a house that looks like it is falling apart. It is important to keep not only the building itself looking good but the land around it as well. Neglected land is not attractive to a potential buyer.  Curb appeal matters.

Upgrade if needed. This applies with any path of investment chosen for your Charlottesville, VA, house. By making sure the house is up to date, you will earn more money from outright selling or rentals. Replace outdated utilities like pipes and electricals. Also consider upgrades for energy efficiency or towards achieving a smart home. Be careful about what you upgrade, though. Not everything will add significant value. 

Get an expert realtor. Many people want to keep all the profits to themselves, so they work alone. This can be stressful, time-consuming, and may not be worth the money ‘saved’. By getting a realtor, everything moves more smoothly . This applies to sales of property and finding renters. They can also assist you with a location-specific valuation that gets you the best price.

Charlottesville country properties are good choices for investment. To ensure you’re getting the best value you can, it is essential to work with a realtor who knows the area. For Charlottesville, VA, this is someone like Pam Dent, REALTOR.

This Gordonsville VA farm for sale is ready for its new owner!

Rarely does one have the opportunity to own a beautiful farm of this nature in an amazing location. This charming farm features a renovated historic home with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and sits on 8.2 private acres of gently rolling land.

This property has an exceptional location. Gordonsville is a charming southern town located nine miles northeast of Charlottesville. This small residential town has a population of around 1,500 people.

Gordonsville is known for its award-winning wineries, world-class dining, and breathtaking scenery. This scenic region is dotted with farms, orchards, and woodlands. There are forests, rivers, rolling hills, and mountain views that can be explored by car, bike, or canoe. You can also go around on foot or horseback.

Living in Gordonsville means you are never too far away from the city, yet you still get the peace and comfort of being in the suburbs and country.

An exceptional farm in Central Virginia

This Gordonsville VA farm has been upgraded and renovated to ensure comfort and convenience. The chimney at the front of the house was relined in 2010. The back half of the house, which includes the kitchen, the dining area, the sitting room, and the screen porch, was totally renovated in 2012.

The updates also included partial conditioning of the crawl space, locating an on-demand water heater, and adding a new HVAC unit below the floor.

All the windows on the property have been replaced. Most in the main house are Anderson or Pella. The standing seam metal roof on the main house was replaced in 2016.

Feel connected to history once you step into this cozy living room featuring a mantle salvaged from the Montpelier restoration after the DuPont’s ownership. It was purchased from Craig Jacobs, owner of Salvagewrights in Orange, who has done restoration work at Montpelier. The hearth is also a local Buckingham slate slab.

The living room is warm and inviting, perfect for welcoming and entertaining guests and loved ones. On cool nights, you can light the fireplace for an even cozier vibe.

Let your inner chef shine in the gorgeous gourmet kitchen.

Across the hall is the impressive gourmet kitchen of this Gordonsville VA farm. It also has a breakfast bar where you can sit to eat meals.

The spacious kitchen comes with a dishwasher, a double oven, refrigerator, and a gas cooktop.

The dining room can easily accommodate a six-seater table. This well-lit space is the perfect spot to create happy memories of wonderful dinners and great conversations.

A few steps from the dining area is the sunroom which was added in 2019. It features high tech glass to reflect heat and glare.

On the home’s main level you’ll also find the spacious master bedroom which offers privacy and personal space.

At the end of an exhausting but fun-filled day, there is nothing better than the comfort of this enticing bedroom. An attached master bath with a beautiful tile walk-in shower completes the features of this bedroom.

Upstairs are two more bedrooms which are just as cozy as the main bedroom.

You can easily enjoy family time on the screened porch regardless of the weather. It is also perfect for inviting friends and family over for get-togethers.

The 2-story dependency offers more space. It was gutted and refinished in 2011. A new roof was added at that time. The building also has its own power supply.

The finished office space on the second floor offers the opportunity to work and study away from the distraction of the main home.

A place to gather with loved ones no matter what time of the year

The patio built with Buckingham slate overlooks the pergola and the firepit. A few steps away is the 16’ x 40’ salt-water pool which was added in 2015.

The garden features rambling roses, mature maples, black walnuts, a magnolia, and boxwoods. There are many perennials including irises, peonies, lilies, tulips, and daffodils.

If you enjoy the outdoors, you can walk along the trails throughout the woods and fields and along the charming stream at the back of the property.

Other amenities of this must-have Gordonsville Farm for sale include a detached garage, a carport, and a run-in shed. The garage can be used as a space for a car enthusiast, a woodworking shop, or an art studio.

The field is partially fenced and could be completed for horses or other livestock.

Enjoy a peaceful and private retreat on this beautiful farm yours for $585,000.

Properties like this are rare, so don’t miss this chance! Call me, Pam Dent, at 434-960-0161 to schedule a private showing today.

Nobody wants to sell anything when the market is bad. This rings true even for home sellers. But while selling a house in a sluggish market can be hard, it is possible. All it takes is a unique kind of game plan.

In this article, you will discover the secrets to selling your Charlottesville VA house in a slow market.

If you are selling your home in Charlottesville VA, take note of the following strategies to increase your likelihood of a sale:

1. Be familiar with your market 2. Sell for a good price 3. Stage your home 4. Advertise your home 5. Highlight the best features of your home 6. Offer incentives 7. Adjust the terms of the sale 8. Tap your neighbors to market your home

Read on to learn more about the things you can do to get your Charlottesville VA house sold in a slow real estate market.

Tips to sell your house fast in a slow market

While it is still possible to sell your Charlottesville VA home fast and for top dollar even in a cooling market, you will have to refine your selling approach to make your home sale successful.

Take a look at the following secrets to selling your house in a slow market:

· Be familiar with your market

Learning your market and your competition is key to a successful home sale. It’s not enough to offer your house for the price you want. You have to regard what other properties in your area have sold for and are selling for. Knowing your market will help you avoid overpricing or underpricing your property, which may cost you tens of thousands of dollars. · Selling for a good price

While selling a house for a good price can be tricky in today’s market, it is necessary. Don’t turn off potential buyers by asking as much for your property as your neighbor got a year ago. Instead, look at similar houses in your area and price your home conservatively. · Stage your home

Before selling your home, repair everything that is broken and replace things that you need to replace to make it look presentable to buyers. You may want to consider a professional home staging service to help your home make a strong positive impression during showings. · Advertise your home

Marketing your home aggressively is another key to a quick home sale. To boost your chances of selling fast even in a slow market, don’t just rely on multiple listing service. Advertise your home in local papers and make sure your home’s photos highlight its best and unique features.

· Highlight the best features of your home

When you play up the best features of your home, you make it much easier for prospective home buyers to appreciate and want to buy your property. Features such as fireplaces, a gourmet cook’s kitchen, and an outdoor oasis are some of the features you can highlight when marketing your home. · Offer incentives

While some homebuyers may find a low price attractive, that’s not enough incentive if you want to sell your house fast in a slow market. Most homebuyers may hold out for something more than just that, so you need to be a creative home seller. Offer incentives that will speak to the heart of buyers, such as a paid vacation or a set of living room appliances. · Adjust the terms of sale

Most of the time, the easiest way to sell a home fast in a slow market is by offering flexible terms to buyers. While it is sometimes enough to lower the asking price, there are times when offering help with closing costs or extending the settlement date are necessary to win a buyer. · Tap your neighbors to market your home

Involving your neighbors in your home sale may also help you sell your house fast. Before you put your home on the market, inform them about your upcoming home sale so they can inform their friends about it. That way, you will be able to generate interest before you even list your home.

If only you can do things your way, you will sell your home whenever you want and at the price that you want. In reality, however, the condition of the market is a huge factor in the outcome of your home sale. And since every house is different, what it takes to sell your house in Charlottesville VA could be different than your neighbor’s situation.

Mistakes to avoid when selling your home in a slow market

As a home seller, you must be aware of the telltale signs that you are in a slow real estate market. These signs may include “for-sale-signs” taking over your area, or huge red price reduction labels tarnishing the online listings in your neighborhood. These signs tell you one thing: If you are selling your Charlottesville VA house now, the odds may not be in your favor.

The good news, however, is that while changing the conditions of the market isn’t as easy as waving a magic wand, a slow market is an opportunity for you to channel your competitive side. No matter how slow the market is, it is not impossible to sell a house. With the right game plan, you can still be successful with your home sale.

Whether the market is good or bad, the key to a successful home sale is having the right game plan. Along with having the right game plan is avoiding the mistakes that will doom your home sale. Here are some of them:

· Not preparing your house for sale

Selling a house in a slow market is never for the lazy. If you want your home sale to be successful, you have to put in some sweat equity to make your home as presentable as possible to house hunters.

Deep cleaning and decluttering are necessary to meet the bare minimum buyer expectations. But if you are in a buyer’s market, you will need to go far beyond just cleaning to boost the desirability of your home. Generally speaking, staged homes sell faster than unstaged ones, especially in slow markets. · Foregoing professional photography

Nowadays, more than 90% of home buyers search online for homes. Hence, if your goal is to attract homebuyers online, you can’t just settle for amateur photography when marketing your home. Making sure your online listing photos are on point is critical in home selling. While you can take good listing photos yourself, it’s not worth the risk if you are in a buyer’s market. Hiring a professional real estate photographer will not cost you much, so go that route if you want to get a leg up on your competition. · Overpricing your home

Selling a home isn’t like selling loads of products in the market, where you can lower the price when you get stuck with inventory just to be able to sell. When you sell a home, your home is your only product, so you can’t afford to discount if it doesn’t sell. · Refusing to let buyers access your home

Showings are necessary when selling a home. While you wouldn’t want to be told to get out of your own home, you will need to do that when your home is on the market. Don’t demand access restrictions like requiring half a day’s notice before showings because that’s a major turn off to potential buyers. Remember that when selling a house, the more foot traffic, the better.

Do you feel discouraged when your home stays on the market for a long time and can’t even get a single buyer to make an offer on it? Are you worried that your Charlottesville VA home for sale may become an expired listing soon?

In this article, you will discover the actions you can take when your house doesn’t sell. 

There is no need to panic when your Charlottesville VA home doesn’t sell. Changing your sales strategy, selling for less, and considering a short sale are just some of the things you can do when your property doesn’t sell immediately. When your timing isn’t right, you may even consider waiting to sell.

Keep reading to learn more about your options when your house doesn’t sell and turn your disappointment into a sigh of relief!

Why is your Charlottesville home not selling?

In a perfect world, home selling is a predictable process where you put your house on the market and get an offer after scheduling a bunch of showings. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work that way.

Probably, you are reading this article because you are one of those sellers who are left wondering why your Charlottesville VA home just won’t sell, no matter how much you try to get the word out and get offers. Here are some of the possible reasons your house isn’t selling:

·         It’s not the right market

When you sell your home, consider the time of year you are listing and whether it’s a buyer’s market or a seller’s market. These real estate market trends play major roles in how fast a home sells.

If you want to avoid a stagnant sale process due to bad timing, it’s imperative that you are strategic when you list. Sometimes, it’s even better to wait and get on the market when you know your chances for a quicker sale are already high than to put your home on the market too early and let your listing get stale.  In the Central Virginia area our hottest market when there is the largest number of people looking at homes is in the spring.  However, during the winter there are usually fewer homes on the market and therefore less competition.

·         Your home for sale in Charlottesville is priced too high

If your home is priced well above the comps in the neighborhood, expect potential homebuyers to pass it over. Since purchasing a home is a huge financial investment, buyers generally don’t take an interest in homes that are overpriced. If other homes in the neighborhood are selling but yours isn’t, that’s a tell-tale sign that your home is priced too high.  

·         Your listing is either insufficient or out-of-date

Sometimes, the reason why your home isn’t selling is that your listing is not doing your Charlottesville VA home justice. Remember, your listing is where potential homebuyers go first when they’re interested in your property. If your listing is insufficient or outdated, that can be a huge turn off for buyers.  Having good photographs that show your home in its best light is key.  Most buyers start their home search online, looking at listings and photographs.  Depending on what they see they will then contact an agent and give them a list of properties that they want to see.  Without good photographs they will never make the decision to see your home in person.

·         Your home is in poor condition

One of the most common reasons a home doesn’t sell is its lack of aesthetics. Homebuyers can easily spot if your home needs repairs and some deep cleaning, in the same way that they can spot if your home is decorated too boldly.

Buyers are only interested in turnkey homes, or at least those that won’t cost them a lot for repairs and design. If your home isn’t selling, then it’s probably because you have failed to present it in its best light before putting it on the market.  Remember that you only have one chance to make a firs impression.

What can you do when your home isn’t selling?

When you think you’ve already tried to do everything right but your home still won’t sell, it’s time to get the ball rolling and think about what you can do to boost buyer interest in your property. When the waiting period for your property to sell is already much longer than you expect, then the situation dictates that you finally need to take action.

Here are some of the things you can do when your house isn’t selling:

·         Get an up-to-date professional valuation and price your home right

The price is a major swing factor for potential buyers. Most of the time, even if a Charlottesville home ticks all the boxes—from a great neighborhood to good schools, if it’s overpriced, chances are buyers will rather opt for something else nearby.

If you don’t want homebuyers to pass your home over, get a property valuation and make sure that your property falls in a more realistic price bracket.  You may either opt to contact a real estate agent for a broker price opinion or hire a licensed appraiser.  

·         Put your Charlottesville VA home on the auction block

If you’ve done all you can but still can’t get offers on your home,  you may consider auctioning it off. Property auctions are usually transparent and secure and have no hidden catches, making them an appealing sales channel. During a property auction, the buyer and the seller exchange contracts inside the auction room with other investors and developers around. As long as you price your property right, there’s a huge chance for your home to be sold by the end of the bidding.  One thing that I have noticed is that the majority of the properties that go to auction end up selling for a significantly discounted price.

·         Host an open day

Hosting an open day may be an effective way to drum up sales interest in a property. This especially rings true for sellers who have struggled for some time without compromising too much on the price. You can ask your professional real estate agent to set up this event for you and use her expertise to attract interest and to guide your visitors around.  This tactic works best for a home in a neighborhood where there is a lot of drive by traffic.  

·         Offer incentives to buyers

Another good way of boosting buyer interest in your property is by putting a considerable amount of money into the transaction, including state or county transfer taxes and lender and settlement attorney fees offered to buyers. Sometimes, these fees serve as stumbling blocks for potential buyers. Other incentives that we see are allowances for repairs or remodeling.

If you offer to pay up some of these expenses, it might help remove what’s holding buyers back from buying your home and ultimately they will agree to close the deal with you.  

·         Rent out your home

If you have already moved to your new home but your old home is still on the market, then you may have already grown tired of paying two mortgages at the same time. If this is your case, you may want to rent out your home so you can buy some time and save money until you decide it’s time to put your Charlottesville VA home on the market again.  If you decide to go this route, and you still want your home to be shown to buyers, it is necessary to put something into your rental agreement outlining the terms under which the tenants will be required to allow your home to be shown.  

·         Target buyers who are looking for rent-to-own homes

If homebuyers aren’t biting despite all your marketing efforts, then it might be time to target people who are looking for rent-to-own properties instead. Although this process isn’t as clean and financially secure as selling the property outright, it can help you speed up the process of selling your home, only that you’re selling it to a buyer who is looking for an alternative to purchasing with a mortgage. This is a more complicated process so it will be helpful to have the guidance of a real estate professional who is knowledgeable with the ins and outs of this type of transaction.

The advantage of choosing this option is that even if you don’t get the full purchase price of your home at the time of the sale, you can be assured that you will still have a steady flow of income as the tenant-owner makes his monthly payments.  

·         Wait to sell

Sometimes, no matter how much effort you put into winning the interest of homebuyers, you just can’t get them to want to buy your home. If that’s the case, then the problem might be the timing of your sale. 

You might be selling your home during a period of excess inventory, so buyers are inundated with options that are drowning out yours.

When this happens, the best thing to do is to discuss with your real estate agent if taking your home off the market for a bit will help. With the help of your agent, find out what the current inventory in your market is and ask her when the peak seasons are. 

Once you realize your timing is off, better un-list your home temporarily and try putting it back on the market at a more optimal time. Always keep in mind that when it comes to home selling, timing is everything. That’s why sometimes, the best approach is to take a step back and try again at a different time.

While I know how frustrating a stalled-out sale can be, I know there are options to ease the pain while you wait for the best offer on your Charlottesville VA home. Call me, Pam Dent, at 434-960-0160 and I will help you decide on a new strategy that will better help you close the deal. I know the Charlottesville VA market inside out and I can be your eyes and ears throughout the home selling process.