Sept/Oct 2008-Page 78- Karen Queen
Home Sale Snapshot
Patience Pays Off in York County Sale
Excellent marketing is critical now to sell a home.
Jim Noel, director of economic development for York
County, recently sold his home in York County this
summer after nine months on the market. Noel paid part
of the buyers' closing costs, but got his asking price, in
the $320,000 to $360,000 range, for the 2,400-square ft
four-bedroom, 2.5 bath home built in the 1970s. The Noels
spruced up their landscaping to make their home more
appealing.
Noel credits his second Realtor, Steve Scott of William E. Wood and Associates, for his eventual success. "I had
listed it with another agent and at another company for
six months, and they did not do a good job of marketing
the house," Noel says. "Steve came in with a definitive
game plan. He identified who he thought the target buyer
would be-military officers, transferees into the area, and
because of the proximity to Back Creek Park and the boat ramps, somebody with a boat. He structured all of his marketing to that buyer. He didn't just list the house- he sold it."
Scott came to every showing, moved clutter out of the garage, and even picked up Noel's son's
clothes just before one showing.
Although the Noels had lowered their asking price, Scott bumped it back up. "I have access to
pretty good data and knew properties were holding their value, they were just taking longer to
sell," Noel says.
The Noels' patience, choice of a good Realtor and conservative financial habits paid off. They
hadn't cashed out equity and had in fact refinanced the home to a 15 year note. "we reaped a
significant amount of equity out of the sale," Noel says. - Karen Queen -
As Seen in the Hampton Roads Magazine September 2008 Issue!