Compass Greater NY, LLC
Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES, Compass Greater NY, LLCPhone: (917) 623-0624
Email: [email protected]

How to Get Your House Sold Fast

by Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES 09/08/2019

When you want to sell your property, you want it gone as fast as possible. However, there are activities some house owners get involved in that do not help their situation.

Selling a home is quite unlike buying a home. As a homeowner willing to sell their home, below are a few tips you should consider;

  • Price your home accurately. Often, homeowners price their homes based on the memories they made in the house. However, that is not the reality in pricing. To determine how much your home worth in the market, you need to employ the services of a competent real estate agent. They need personal knowledge on how to help you, so ensures they are familiar with your neighborhood.
  • Host an open house. If your house is suitable for an open house, tell your agent to help you schedule one. Ask if they list your home online, too. Some buyers get interested through online listings while others like to experience such in-person events.
  • Insist on professional photography. If you employed the service of a top-notch real estate agent, they have access to professional photos. It is not enough to be able to take pictures; you must get pictures that capture the house thoroughly, both in-depth and rich in color.
  • Be flexible with home showings. Studies show that most homeowners are not comfortable with strangers coming into their house to check it out. If you fall into this seller category, you can go away for a week or two while your home is listed and shown. Either way, you should not expect to meet the potential buyers. Buyers need privacy to speak with their agent without concern for your feelings.
  • Review your listing online. The price for which a house sells depends on the information that the market has of it and similar homes called "comparables." You should check your home listings on various websites in addition to your agent's to ensure the information conveyed about your house is accurate. If it is not, quickly alert your real estate agent.
  • Respond promptly to a purchase offer. Buyers go crazy if their offer goes unmet for longer than necessary. Many proposals contain expiration dates. Consequently, to get your house sold as fast as possible, ensure that you respond to purchase offers speedily.
  • Start packing before your house gets to the market. Another attitude that will get your home sold fast is packing even before your house is listed. That action allows you to line up movers easily and lets your buyer settles in quickly.
About the Author
Author

Ann Marie Damashek, GRI, CBR, SRES

Ann Marie Damashek has always been a natural at helping people prepare their homes for sale. She started out with a successful business selling goods for people on eBay. "Nine times out of ten they were hiring me because they were down-sizing,” Ann Marie says. "So I decided to get my license. I said, ‘Might as well sell their house too.’” The transition was a smooth one and for nine years she’s had a thriving full-time real estate business that allows her to marry her entrepreneurial spirit with her passion for helping others. With an office in Larchmont, New York, she serves all of Lower Westchester County, with her primary market in the Sound Shore region. The majority of her business is "sphere of influence” with former clients referring her to friends and family. A gifted communicator, Ann Marie quickly builds trust and rapport with her clients by being both thoughtful and responsive; she understands that during the purchase or sale of a home, a quick response time is crucial. "I am very accessible,” Ann Marie says. "I always make time for my clients. They can call me, text me, email me up until 10 o’clock at night and I will respond. I’m available on weekends. I get back to people very promptly. I’m very customer service-oriented.” Her clients appreciate her professionalism, passion and enthusiasm and as a result her repeat and referral rate continues to grow each year. While selling real estate is serious business, Ann Marie knows that at times humor and a moment of levity can be a relief to clients. While she has a laidback and easygoing personality, she can be assertive when needed on her clients’ behalf. She loves being of service to them, and the continually changing nature of the work keeps her engaged and fulfilled. "It’s never boring,” Ann Marie enthuses. "Every day is different. That’s probably what I like most about it. But I also enjoy helping people sell or buy and educating them about the process. I love helping them achieve their goals.” This ethic of service has resulted in well-deserved recognition. Ann Marie has received the Westchester Magazine Five Star Real Estate Agent Rating four years running, in 2015 and 2016 she was the #1 agent in her office, and she’s a Zillow 5-Star Premier Agent. To keep in touch with former clients, Ann Marie sends cards to mark special occasions or reaches out via email. To market her listings, Ann Marie uses Multiple Listing Services (MLS), as well as Listingbook.com, a service that allows both agents and their clients access to MLS data. She also uses a Facebook business page and ads to boost new listings or promote upcoming open houses. "That drives a tremendous amount of traffic,” Ann Marie says. She also uses the most popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia. A strong believer in giving back, Ann Marie sits on the Board of Trustees of her church and is involved in a variety of social justice projects. She’s affiliated with Furniture Sharehouse, a furniture bank for Westchester County, which collects and distributes gently used furniture free of charge to those in need. "I love it on so many levels because as a realtor, it’s helps my sellers downsize through charitable donations. I like the environmental aspect of it as well. And it helps people who truly need things.” She’s also involved in Impact 100, a women’s philanthropic giving organization. In her free time, Ann Marie enjoys gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. For the future, Ann Marie wants to continue expanding her business and developing her brand, and she someday hopes to grow a strong team. But her main goal is to stay in the real estate business, helping her clients to achieve their dreams.