Not long ago, the mantra among real estate agents to their prospective home buyers and property sellers was “Location, location, location.” That tide seems to be changing — especially in Southwest Florida, which is already considered an ideal place to live, with favorable weather, numerous recreational activities for active people, and favorable taxes for retirees. And, of course, Florida is famous for its ocean views and access to turquoise water and sugar-white sand beaches?
In today’s market, what might really matter the most is timing, according to several area real estate agents. This is followed by pricing. Location often trails as the third component.
“Timing is important for a few reasons,” said David Haynes of Tarpon Real Estate. “It’s a buyer’s market, and sellers need to price their homes correctly from the start. You only get one chance to make a first good impression. When you first list your property, it draws the most attention because it is a fresh listing. There’s a lot of competition for available homes. If you price yours too high, you’ve priced yourself out of potential buyers. Don’t just go on Zillow for pricing advice — talk to an agent who understands the market and the competition.”
Haynes reasons that if you lower the price later, not only have you lost potential buyers, but it might also signal that there’s an issue because it’s not selling. The typical sales cycle is 90 to 120 days for homes he feels are priced correctly. If not, it might take up to a year. Beachfront property is the exception because there aren’t many available in Charlotte County…