Mary Esther is a tranquil, charming city in Okaloosa County, where residents enjoy the sunny weather, nearby beaches, outdoor adventures, nature trails at Oak Tree Nature Park, and, of course, the beautiful homes. If you’re already a proud owner of one of these incredible properties and thinking about selling, you may be wondering how to make the process as streamlined and stress-free as possible.
Thankfully, Mary Esther real estate is highly sought-after, creating a strong seller’s market in the area. This is good news for homeowners who want to get in on the action and achieve strong returns on their investment.
If you’re contemplating selling your home in Mary Esther, follow these home selling tips from the experts at Justin Myers Team to make sure you get the most out of your sale.
Hire a skilled real estate team
Working with a qualified team experienced in the local Mary Esther real estate scene is the best way to ensure you have a successful sale. One of the most important factors that go into choosing a real estate team is whether or not they’re established in the area. You want to hire a team that has a thorough understanding of the unique market in Mary Esther, so they will know what to expect during every part of the process. Whether you’re unsure of pricing strategies or don’t know which renovations would bring you the highest returns, your Realtor®️ will be there to guide you.
Plan ahead and set a timeline
Many first-time home sellers may not realize all the steps involved in listing their property. It’s important to plan ahead, working with your agent to pinpoint the right time to sell. Your agent will be well-versed in how the market changes throughout the year, allowing you to strategize to determine the perfect time to list. If you’re hoping to earn the most from your sale, you may want to wait until demand is highest. If you’re hoping for a speedier sale, it may be better to sell when inventory is lower and buyers have fewer options to contend with.
That being said, sellers should remember to set a realistic timeline. Though Mary Esther homes tend to sell very quickly, you may need to extend your timeline to account for things like renovations, repairs, inspections, and selling services. It will take time to prepare your listing so that buyers are drawn to it and encouraged to put in offers quickly. By the time your listing is ready, the season may not be right. That’s why it’s imperative to develop a timeline with your agent so that you’ll be able to plan out when things need to get done in order to list at the best time.
Hire an inspector
 
One thing sellers overlook occasionally is having their home inspected prior to listing. Usually, the buyer will hire their own inspector to assess the home, but sellers can benefit from doing so before listing as well. This gives sellers a chance to determine whether there are areas that need improvement on their property before they list it on the Mary Esther real estate market.
For instance, if the inspector discovers issues with the HVAC system or a foundational repair that needs to be addressed, sellers can handle the issue before listing. This means the value of their home won’t decrease, and buyers will be more likely to see their offer through to closing.
Renovations and upgrades
 
Completing renovations before listing is an effective strategy for raising your home’s value and catching the eye of buyers. The more sparkle and shine your home offers, with upgraded designs throughout, the higher your offers will likely be.
Renovations are not always necessary, but they’re a great way to list at a higher price point and draw in a wider pool of buyers. Typically, two of the top 
renovations that increase home value are kitchen and bathroom upgrades, although Florida buyers also prefer homes with fresh paint, tile, and solid wood cabinetry.
Invest in home staging
Once all the repair and renovation projects have been completed, sellers should consider investing in home staging. Homes that are professionally staged tend to perform much better on the market, selling for higher prices and at faster speeds than homes that aren’t staged.
Home staging is the process of making a home feel neutral and inviting so that buyers can envision themselves living there more easily. Home stagers may work with the furniture and decor that a seller already has while having them remove any personal items like toiletries, family photos, and clothing. Or, a home stager might bring in their own inventory to restyle the space to suit what buyers in the area are looking for most. Then, once a home is staged, it’s ready to be photographed.
 
Work with a professional photographer
 
Real estate photographers know how to capture a home from all the right angles. In fact, it’s recommended that each room be showcased from at least six vantage points. Of course, the number of photos needs to be proportional to the size of the home. The best rule of thumb is to make sure each photo shows something new, whether that’s a different perspective or another feature of the space that the other photos didn’t capture. The biggest benefit of using a professional photographer is that they use top-of-the-line equipment to properly adjust lighting, capture the exterior of the property as a whole with wide-angle lenses, and ultimately show off your home’s best features.
Sell your Mary Esther property
When your home is staged and photographed, it’s ready for listing. From there, your agent will guide you through reviewing offers, settling on contingencies, and closing your deal. Don’t be surprised if offers come in fairly quickly. The average home in Mary Esther transitions from an active to a pending listing in just over a week.
To ensure you have the sale you’re hoping for, work with Justin Myers Team. Experts at helping clients buy and sell Emerald Coast homes, the team has quickly become one of the top names in Florida real estate. When you’re ready to start the process, get in touch with Justin Myers Team for the guidance you can trust.
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