Lido Key real estate is something that, in many ways, you might expect could almost sell itself. As a beautiful island destination known for deep-sea fishing, dolphin watching, and the chic boutiques of St. Armands Circle, Lido Key is the kind of location
anyone would be happy to call home. In addition, Sarasota County is still a seller's market. Even as
home sales have slowed in recent months and
median times to sale have grown, sale prices are stable or increasing, and demand remains high.
Still, a few home selling tips can help your Lido Key real estate stand out from other luxury homes on the market. With some planning, preparation, and the help of an experienced real estate agent, your home can command the final sale price that it—and you—deserve.
Prepare for success
After listing,
the first few weeks are crucial, and even with luxury homes, buyers' interest will wane when they see a home has been on the market too long. That is why it is so important to make certain your home is absolutely ready to sell before putting it on the market.
Whether you need to make a few repairs or improvements or simply want to take your time considering how you will stage your home to present it in its best possible light, anything that needs to be done before the home is shown to potential buyers should already be done before it is listed. Finding a good agent who will guide you through all the steps you need to take before listing can make that process much simpler and help you to be ready to list your home with confidence.
Time your sale
With high demand for Lido Key real estate and low housing inventory, it may seem likely that there is no bad time to sell Lido Key condos and houses. Regardless, even in a seller's market, the best time of year to sell can vary from location to location. Research shows that the U.S. as a whole experiences higher sale prices around May, but in the Sarasota and Bradenton area, February is usually the best time to sell a home.
On the other hand, the housing market can have a greater impact on sale prices than seasons. In 2022, the
median home price for Florida rose from $381,000 in February to $420,000 in May before coming back down to $402,000 by October. In addition, you may have other concerns that will affect the timing of your home sale, such as timing the sale against your purchase of another home. Timing can be a significant decision that sellers wrestle with, as selling when the timing fits you personally may not be the best move financially.
To ensure you time the sale of your home to profit you in the ways that matter, the most foolproof home selling tips will come from a realtor who knows and understands the local real estate market. Their experience with historical trends and access to data to help forecast coming changes in the market will help to ensure you put your home on the market at the time that is right for you.
Set the stage
Staging a home can be stressful for many homeowners, especially if they plan to live in the home while it is on the market and being shown to potential buyers. If you only occupy your Lido Key real estate for part of the year and have another home, you can greatly simplify staging and showing the home by timing the sale to coincide with the part of the year you are not there. You can still use some of your furniture and decor for staging, but being able to move everything out of the home that is not needed for showing it will greatly simplify the process.
If you plan to live in the home while it is listed, it is best to still lessen your footprint in the home when it is being shown. That may mean moving out some of your furniture, but the most important thing is to depersonalize the space. Personal photos, memorabilia, or even signs of your family, such as pet beds and toys, should be out of sight when buyers arrive.
For homeowners, personal items make a residence a home, but buyers can be distracted by seeing evidence of the people who live there, and many will even rush through a showing as personal items evoke feelings of invading someone else's space.
Err on the minimalist side in your presentation. The best presentation will draw attention to the best features of the home without forcing too much expectation on the viewer. Give potential buyers just enough to spark their imaginations and help them to see themselves living in the home.
Make the right first impression
The first impression that buyers will have of your home comes the moment they arrive. If you are selling a luxury home, it is likely you already pay careful attention to the upkeep and care of your landscaping, but that does not mean there is nothing you can do to improve the first impression buyers receive. Take the time to consider the effect your home's outdoor presentation has, and consider ways you can liven it up or draw buyers in.
Even when preparing Lido Key condos for sale, there are steps owners can take to ensure potential buyers are captivated from the first moment. If you have a balcony visible as buyers arrive, consider the impression it will give to buyers. Give special attention to your entryway and make it the point of entry for your buyers' imaginations as well, inviting them from the moment they step in the door to envision themselves coming home.
The most important Lido Key home selling tips
There are many things Lido Key homeowners can do to make their luxury homes stand out among the other options on the market, but none is more important than finding an experienced and knowledgeable realtor, such as
Judy Kepecz-Hays, who can help to ensure your home fetches the price it deserves while leaving you with the peace of mind that comes from working with a qualified agent.
