That is the goal if you are a seller.

Yesterday, in the REALTOR®  Magazine Daily Briefing there was a short report on the findings of a story in Baltimore.  It seems that getting a house to sell fast in even a tough market (and Baltimore is a tough market) takes the same things it does at any other time.

• They’re priced better than comparable listings.
• They show like model homes.
• They have a full force of marketing, including enticing Internet photos, behind them.

The story in it’s entirety is pretty good, pointing out the things that need to be done to sell a house in the current climate.  Painting, freshening up dated rooms, de-cluttering and other staging and decorating techniques.

Utilizing these techniques pushed these properties to sell quite quickly.  And, in the case of Baltimore, 13% of the properties that sold in November went from listing to contract in under two weeks.  The average Days on Market in that area is 105 days.

The houses mentioned in the story were priced competitively, and because of that, recieved multiple offers, and sold at very close to list price.  Listing high, so that there is “negotiation room” is NOT a good strategy.  Buyers look at the list price and eliminate properties.

Here is a link to the story in the Baltimore Sun.