SELLERS GUIDE
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his Seller’s Guide Issue includes tips on how to best prepare your house for the market, remove common obstacles that keep buyers from making an offer, and how to create an emotional connection with the buyer to the property. Finally, this two-part edition will explain how we can help you get the best offer for you (hint: it may not always be about price!) Whether you’re selling next month or next year, hold onto this edition to make sure you’re prepared for the listing process. tep One: Preparing Your Home for the Market Once you’ve made the
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decision to sell, the first step is to get an updated understanding of where your home stands in comparison with other homes on the market, and finding places you can improve it before it goes for sale. One easy place to start is checking your city requirements for resale. Different cities require pre-sale inspections, so you may be checking two things off your to-do list at once by having those inspections completed. City inspections may provide helpful insights into the status of your home’s plumbing, electrical, and safety systems, and ensure that no unpleasant surprises pop up prior to closing.
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ifferent cities require pre-sale inspections, so you may be checking two things off your todo list at once by having those inspections completed. City inspections may provide helpful insights into the status of your home’s plumbing, electrical, and safety systems, and ensure that no unpleasant surprises pop up prior to closing. Along with inspections done by qualified personnel, you yourself can do a walkthrough of your home to remind yourself of any “unfinished projects” or areas of improvement in your home that you’ve fallen behind on. Keeping these areas of
improvement in mind can help you moderate your own expectations when it comes to setting a price, but finding little ways to spruce up your home can make a big difference. Smart improvements include new coats of paint, new carpet, deep cleaning and dusting, and purchasing new bedding or welcome mats, all of which provide a lot of bang for your buck. Keep in mind that presale is not necessarily a great time for big renovations, unless they make financial sense against competing homes that are also for sale, and the costs of big projects may not directly translate into a higher sales price. When it comes to prepare your home for the market: DO check to see if your city requires pre-sale inspections
HIGHLIGHTED COMMUNITY WAYZATA
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he retail options and multiple parks in downtown attract those who live nearby-either on the lake or on properties in quieter parts of northern Wayzata-for annual traditions like James J Hill days or 4th of July fireworks over the lake. A central parking lot was recently converted into a waterfront public gathering space, complete with pergolas, adirondacks chairs, and fire pits for catching up over a cup of coffee or after a patio dinner at one of the 5-star
sprawling yard, a condo near the highly walkable downtown, or something in between, all within an award-winning school district. Come visit Wayzata and see what the community has to offer!
Average Sale Price 2019 1,092,367 2020 1,038,298 2021 1,154,534 Average Sold v. List Price 2019 93.5% 2020 93.6 % 2021 95.0 %
STEP 2
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and complete them prior to listing. DON’T allow room for big surprises to come up for you once you’ve entered negotiations with a buyer. DO inspect older systems in the home, like furnaces and air conditioning units to avoid surprises. DON’T expect old systems to be in good shape because they’re currently working. DO invest in smart fixes like new paint, carpet and deep-cleaning. DON’T invest in expensive and wide scale renovations.
nce your house is in tip-top shape and ready to hit the market, buyers still may have some concerns about the location, appliances, and community that comes with your home. These kinds of obstacles are typically found when buyers ask questions that require their agent to get more information about the home, inadvertently stalling the offer process. Being prepared with the answers to common buyer questions beforehand is a simple step that can make all the difference to a buyer’s timeline. o, what questions do buyers typically have that sellers might not know right away? It depends on the type of property they are listing. For condominiums and other properties with
S THE CHRIS DENNIS GROUP | FEATURED STORY
restaurants along the main street. Outside of the idyllic downtown, Wayzata offers real estate opportunities for buyers no matter their lifestyle, whether it be a multilevel home with a
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Average Days On Market 2019 104 2020 119 2021 112 HOAs, pet and rental policies may be of high interest to buyers and owners may not be aware of them if they’ve never owned pets or considered renting their home. For older homes, heat and AC units are a common concern for buyers, and if a homeowner has been there for years they may not be up to date on what kind of heating or cooling system they have (another great reason to get a home inspection pre-listing!). Sellers without children in their home may not know what school district they live in, and those who
THE CHRIS DENNIS GROUP | HIGHLIGHTED COMMUNITY
do may not know about special education, charter, or independent schools in the area. It’s also helpful to provide average utility and weather-related costs to buyers. In rural areas, information on internet access is commonly desired by buyers, and the same is true for parking information in urban areas. Being aware of what you might not know about your home and community can be just as important as sharing what you do know and covering all your bases will help you to keep all kinds of buyers interested in your home.
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hen it comes to removing buyer obstacles, keep in mind: DO research HOA policies on pets, rentals, and renovations. DON’T assume you know your community rules inside and out. DO have updated information on cleaning tough spots like chimneys and fireplaces. DON’T put your home on the market without inspecting furnaces and AC units. 03
REAL ESTATE
The Chris Dennis Group
CHRIS DENNIS GROUP
September, 2021
RESOURCE
Chris Dennis Chris@ChrisDennisGroup.com 612-229-9322 www.chrisdennisgroup.com
THIS MONTH’S FEATURED HOME
We are a group of relationship-based Realtors and Brokers who put our client’s needs first. Our goal is to use our experience and processes to provide the best possible outcome for our clients.
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SPECIAL SELLERS GUIDE ISSUE
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he market has been favoring sellers for over a year now, and trends point towards a
SEPTEMBER FEATURED HOME
8875 Wedgemere Drive Victoria, MN 55386 4 bd | 4 ba | 3 car | $729,000
NEWLY LISTED PROPERTIES
Enjoy this beautiful Sondergaard Forcier custom built one level rambler overlooking the 15th fairway in the sought after Deer Run community. This 4 bed and 4 bath home has numerous custom features. The large main floor entry welcomes you to wonderful views and includes family room, living room, three bedrooms, office and large kitchen with center island and panoramic views of the golf course.. A large lower-level amusement room, billiard area, wet bar, sauna, bedroom and exercise roomand a separate dining room offer large spaces for entertaining.
continuation of a sellers market as inventory and interest rates stay low and demand stays high. This special issue will provide a sneak peek into our proven seller method, including tips and tricks for selling in less time than the competition for more money, meaning less hassle for you!
8875 Wedgemere Drive Victoria, MN 4 bed | 4 ba | 3 car | $729,000
4920 Underwood Lane North 6640 Lyndale Avenue South #F Plymouth, MN 55442 #402 Richfield, MN 55423 3 bd | 3 ba | 2 car |$324,900 2 bd | 2 ba | 1 car | $299,900
THE CHRIS DENNIS GROUP | FEATURED PROPERTIES
15522 60th Avenue North Plymouth, MN 55446 3 bd | 3 ba | 2 car | $339,500
3110 North Chestnut Street #407 Chaska, MN 55318 2 bd |2 ba | 2 car | $315,000
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CHRIS DENNIS GROUP
Chris Dennis Chris@ChrisDennisGroup.com 612-229-9322 www.chrisdennisgroup.com
HIGHLIGHTED COMMUNITY WAYZATA
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ayzata is a uniquely Minnesotan city, located just 25 minutes west of the Twin Cities. Downtown Wayzata boasts charming nautical-themed shops and bustling docks alongside upscale restaurants & luxury condominiums, all sharing views of Lake Minnetonka.