There's more “real” in real estate these days, according to the Coldwell Banker brokerage firm.
A survey of more than 600 Coldwell Banker agents throughout the country found that both buyers and sellers are adjusting their expectations and “getting real” about real estate. About half said sellers are more willing to price their homes competitively than this time last year, and 45% said sellers are more willing to change the appearance of their homes to entice buyers.
Meanwhile, buyers are shying away from the glitz, looking instead for new or updated kitchens and baths and open floor plans. While a third of the agents said the kitchen is the most important feature to today's buyers, only 1% said entertainment rooms or finished basements are a key sales feature.
The survey also found that growing families and job relocation are driving most sales these days. Some 70% of the Coldwell Banker agents said a new baby or growing family is the most common reason or a vary common reason for buying, while 69% said home searches are hastened by relocation for job reasons. Other popular buying factors are marriage (59%), divorce (38%) and retirement (37%).
