August 2024 Changed Everything for Home Sellers.  Almost nobody is explaining what it means.  If you're thinking about selling your home, today's market operates by a different set of rules than it did just a two years ago. Understanding these changes may help you protect your equity before you list your home.

 

If you're thinking about selling your home, you probably have two questions that matter to you:

Why do some homes sell quickly...while others don't?

           And...

What can I do to give my home the best opportunity to sell quickly while protecting my equity?

 

When a home doesn't sell, everyone has an opinion.

Some blame the market. Some blame the house. Some blame the price.

Sometimes... price is part of the problem. Too often... price becomes the only solution.

 

The August 2024 rule changes confirmed what I'd already believed over the past couple of years:

         

          Homes don't sell because they're listed.

          Homes sell because buyers experience them.

          If buyers never walk through your front door... nothing else matters.

 

Before August 2024, buyers could simply call an agent and schedule a showing.

Today, before buyers can see your home, they're required to sign a legal agreement with a REALTOR®.

That agreement says the buyer agrees to pay their agent's compensation if they purchase a home.

Many buyers are reluctant to sign an agreement before they've even seen a home.

If they don't sign... they don't come into your home. Period.

That marked the end of casual house hunting as we knew it.

 

The market changed. Most agents didn't.

That should concern every homeowner thinking about selling today.

Here's why.  If buyers aren't walking through your front door... they aren't making offers.

Fewer buyers.  Less competition.

More pressure to reduce your price.

 

Every price reduction costs you equity.

Buyers notice. They start asking themselves questions.

          Why does the price keep coming down?

          Is the seller getting desperate?

          Is something wrong with the house?

Some buyers stop looking altogether. Others wait for the next price reduction.

The cycle repeats itself.

          Fewer buyers.  More price reductions.  More lost equity.

Eventually, sellers find themselves accepting much less than they expected...if their home sells at all.

That's the reality many homeowners have been facing since the August 2024 rule change.

 

There's an old saying in real estate that most homeowners have never heard.

"Don't Fight It. Write It."

In plain English...

tell the homeowner what they want to hear...

get the listing... and if the home doesn't sell... reduce the price.

That strategy may win the listing.

I don't believe it gives you the best opportunity to sell your home.

 

I'd rather have one honest conversation before your home goes on the market...

than several uncomfortable conversations after it's been sitting there.

 

Most sellers don't have a pricing problem.

They have a buyer access problem.

 

Before you hire any REALTOR®, ask one question.

 

                                       "How are you going to get buyers through my front door?"

 

Not what's on their marketing checklist. Not how many homes they've sold. Not how long they've been in the business.

 

                                       How are they going to get buyers through your front door?

 

Because if buyers aren't walking through your front door... they're not making offers.

If they can't clearly answer that question...

end the interview.

 

Your home is likely your largest financial asset.

You deserve the truth before making one of the biggest financial decisions of your life.

Don't trust yesterday's strategy to protect today's equity.

Find someone with a plan to get buyers through your front door.

Because today... that's everything.

What My Clients Have to Say

Every client has a different story, but they all trusted me for the same reason—they wanted someone who would tell them the truth, work relentlessly on their behalf, and never stop looking for opportunities to bring qualified buyers through their front door.

 

"Our home had been sitting on the market. Steve changed the strategy."

Alejandra's home had been on the market for more than 63 days with another agent before she decided to cancel the listing. We met while I was hosting an open house, talked about a different approach, and focused on creating more opportunities for qualified buyers to experience her home in person.

Ten days after listing her home, it sold.

"Steve sold our home for top dollar within just 10 days. With excellent communication and a team of professionals behind him, he significantly reduced our stress by always doing what was in our best interest. His negotiation skills and communication exceeded every expectation. We highly recommend Steve."

— Alejandra L., Chandler

 

"We met Steve at one of his open houses."

One of the reasons I host so many open houses is because that's where I meet buyers. Maria and her brother weren't looking for an agent that day—they were simply looking for a home. After visiting several open houses where they felt ignored, we started talking.

That conversation eventually led to them purchasing their first home.

"Steve was the first REALTOR® who actually took the time to understand what we were looking for. He patiently guided us through every step of the process, answered every question, and even developed an offer strategy that helped us secure seller-paid closing costs. We couldn't have asked for a better experience."

— Maria & Philip R., Gilbert

 

"He went above and beyond."

Helping people buy and sell a home is about much more than paperwork. Nikki's family trusted me to help them do both.

"Steve helped us buy a home and sell our home. He went above and beyond for us, created incredible turnout at our open houses, and helped us find the perfect home for our family. He was knowledgeable, responsive, and always kept us informed. We cannot recommend Steve enough."

— Nikki E., Chandler

 

Whether you're buying your first home, relocating to the East Valley, or preparing to relist after your home didn't sell, my commitment is always the same:

       

        I'll tell you the truth.

        I'll explain exactly what I believe gives you the best opportunity to succeed.

        Then I'll work relentlessly to earn your trust.

 

Before you hire any REALTOR®, ask one question:

 

                                        "How are you going to get qualified buyers through MY front door? Because right now...that's everything."

 

If you're wondering how I'd answer that question for your home, I'd be happy to show you.

No pressure.

No sales presentation.

Just an honest conversation about your home and the strategy I believe gives it the best opportunity to sell.

 

Call or text me anytime.

480-405-7772

Specializing in the Cities of:  Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, Mesa, Queen Creek, & Ahwatukee Foothills