Selling Berkshire Real Estate

"Selling a home is a full-time job," said National Association of Realtors® (NAR) president Vicki Cox Golder. "Unrepresented sellers often don't understand the complexity, range, and timing of tasks they'll have to perform. In a competitive market, sellers need every advantage they can get."

According to the NAR 2009 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, "for-sale-by-owner" transactions dropped to a record low of 11 percent, and almost half of those sellers sold their home to someone they already knew, such as a relative, friend, or neighbor.

On the open market, today's sellers must compete with bargain-priced short sales and foreclosures, as well as other homeowners. Managing the appraisal process, inspections, and buyer qualifications in a tougher credit market has become more complicated, adding to an already intricate transaction process.

Without professional assistance, Berkshire County sellers face a marketing disadvantage. The survey revealed that more than half of unrepresented sellers did not actively market their homes to potential buyers.

Those who did market their homes used yard signs, Internet listings, and newspaper ads. Unfortunately, unrepresented sellers lack access to essential marketing tools such as the multiple listing service, limiting their ability to reach a broader audience.

Professional insights into preparing, pricing, and positioning a home for sale pay off. In 2009, a typical property without professional assistance sold for $172,000, compared with $215,000 for the typical agent-assisted property. Golder believes the decline in "for-sale-by-owner" listings shows a growing awareness of how complex today's market is.

"A Berkshire County Realtor® has specific knowledge of this market and can save consumers time and money," she said. "Real estate agents can help set a realistic price and ensure the proper paperwork, disclosures, and inspections are handled correctly. Sellers gain broader market exposure and are more likely to generate competitive bids when working with a professional."

Harsch Associates Berkshire County Real Estate has provided realty services in Williamstown and throughout Berkshire County for 35 years. Our real estate agents can assist you in selling your home. Contact us today or call 413-458-5000 to discuss how we can market your home to thousands.