Last week I had two closings, but one was particularly personal for me. After decades of homeownership, I represented my mom and sold the house I grew up in, which my parents bought together in 1994. The experience was such a vivid reminder of how emotional selling a home is and the memories and even people we attach to physical spaces. This home protected, shaped, and moulded me for most of my life, but it was finally time to say goodbye.

A sale almost always means that a major life event has occurred for the seller. Sometimes there are joyful reasons to sell — maybe the family is growing and they need move on to something bigger, or a spouse finally got their dream job on the other side of the country. But there are also sadder motives, often associated with death, illness, or an unforeseen change in circumstances. In the case of my family, my mom was ready to move on to the next chapter of her life after losing my dad a little over five years ago. He was so much a part of the home; from the little projects he did, to the way he decked out the garage with all of his tools and U of A basketball posters. Without him there, it just felt different…not like our family’s home was ever intended to feel.

Part of being a skilled realtor is putting emotions aside, staying level headed, and doing what’s best for your clients. Because of this, I gave myself little moments to reflect on the house and my life there. Otherwise, I was nearly always in listing agent mode: staging, marketing, negotiating, and making sure that my client got the best offer and price possible.

My mom gave me full reign to stage as I saw fit, which was so much fun! I used a combination of her furniture and my own, along with lots of decorative pieces, to make the space shine. We received two offers on day one and I’m certain that along with good pricing, the staging played a substantial role in garnering that much attention. Within a little over 48 hours we received four offers and ultimately closed on an offer $15,000 over asking price.

In addition to the other elements of great marketing (psst: check out this neighborhood reel I made) strategic pricing, thoughtful staging, and great photos can make or break a listing. Although inventory is still historically low, buyers are savvier than ever and it’s essential for sellers to prioritize the buyer’s point of view. My recommendation for every seller is to try their best to remove any bias they have for their own home. It’s impossible to fully eradicate your feelings from the matter, but you can do your best to try. If you were walking into the house for the first time, what would you notice? What could be tweaked to make the home more appealing? Does your current furniture layout really show off the space? Be open, curious, creative, and solutions-focused.

When I represent a buyer, I try thinking like the sellers… and when I represent the seller, I want to think like buyers. What are their motives for selling? Motives for buying? What can I do to make the home the most appealing to the other side of the transaction? How can both sides work together to ensure the process moves forward smoothly? Buying and selling a home is so much more than just getting some photos online and waiting to see what happens.

The truth is that while I had a deep connection to this house, selling it was much like selling any other. I represent all of my clients the same way I advocated for and supported my own mom — being creative, communicative, understanding, and there in anyway I can be.

Whether you’ve lost someone, are growing your family, or have to move to another city, don’t hesitate to reach out if have any questions about selling your home. Know that I understand what it’s like to leave a place with deep meaning in your heart. Although it can be hard, there’s also wonderful things that come from change too. Let’s chat and see if I’m the right fit for you.

520-275-3514

julia@buyselltucsonhomes.com

Julia Van Valkenburg, Realtor

OMNI Homes International