Another of the higher profile CEOs in the real estate marketing sector, Anton du Plessis, has testified that 2010 has kicked off with a totally different – and far more positive – set of ‘indicators’.

“The first days of 2010 are already looking far more promising than those of the same period last year,” he said. “We have been getting over twice as many visitors at our show houses (22 at one Bishopscourt home) and an incredible 32 people at a new release show house in Upper Claremont. These are the sort of figures we used to see in 2004. We are now also getting four times as many telephone calls. Sentiment is far more positive. It is already clear that buyers are more prepared to commit and are putting in offers much closer to the asking prices.”

In the current scenario, said du Plessis, those buyers who price correctly will get a quick sale.

“Although all agents are occasionally talked into raising the price a little above market value – no matter how hard we try to resist this – the fact remains that only when a house is correctly priced will it sell quickly. Nine months ago even good, competitive prices were being resisted by buyers.”

This, said du Plessis, is something serious sellers must come round to accepting.

“The crucial make-or-break period on any house sale is the first two or three weeks after it has been first advertised. A new release generates excitement and attracts interest. If, as a result of overpricing, it sticks on the market, its aura or atmosphere is steadily dissipated and three or four months later the house comes to be seen as a loser. Quite possibly, if it then sells, it will do so below its market value.”

Article from: www.vineyardestates.co.za