I had the pleasure of arriving early at a local farmer’s market one morning and watched as all the farmers arrived and set up their stands to display and market their goods. It was prime time for home grown tomatoes.
I watched curiously as all the different strategies started to unfold themselves. Some farmers had their tomatoes shined and stacked. Others had bins or baskets with tomatoes that were ripe but not cleaned nor stacked, allowing the customer to pick and sort. It was a true marketplace.
After they set up, they all scouted their competition. A few deliberately priced themselves to be the cheapest and some marked theirs higher, determined to get their price. I talked to one gentleman who said his strategy was to be the best of show and price. When I asked him why, he smiled and said, “That way I can sell my produce and get out of here by noon to go fishing with my grandson.” I couldn’t argue with that. Another gentleman said that he was in no hurry. He’d get his price, even if he was the last man standing.
As I walked around, it occurred to me that this set up was exactly what the housing market is … a marketplace. At any given time, the Allen Tate Company has over 9,000 homes to sell. Like the tomato farmer, there are many strategies that we can employ to get the highest price possible in the lowest amount of time. At any given point, a new listing can enter or an existing one can alter the game by changing price or condition.
Today, people are saving their gas and entering the housing marketplace online. They’re shopping for homes and weighing their options before taking the step to see those houses in person. The farmer who concerned himself with first impressions got the initial attention of all the attendees. Online, we must do the same with the photographs we share of the homes we are trying to sell.
As your trusted advisor, we must coach you to utilize the same basic strategies that have been in place since the settlers came to this great country. The farmer who watches the competition and adjusts his prices can go home early. A marketplace is very dynamic and changes daily. Put your major assets and your current home to work for you. Do that and you will avoid the “could-a, would-a, should-a” talks in years ahead. Take advantage of this market. Let us help you plan the sale of your heirloom tomato.
By Pat Riley
