Did you know that summer is the best time to sell a home? Even if you've planned the best time to sell, there are still plenty of factors that go into listing your house.

Many first-time sellers struggle to find the perfect asking price. So, how can you best price your home in Yuma, Arizona?

We're here to help you discover how to price your home in Yuma. Check out the tips below to learn more!

Price to Be Compatible with Search Engines

Often when buyers or agents are searching for listings, they will search within certain parameters. For example, a buyer might cap their budget at $300,000. This means that if your home is listed at $302,000, it won't show up in searches that fall under clean cut-off marks.

It's important to research price points and understand how buyers search for listings. For the most part, you can assume that price points fall at every five or ten thousand dollar mark.

Make Comparisons to Learn How to Price Your Home

When deciding how to price a house, one of the first things you should do is investigate nearby listings.

Consider how much houses in your specific neighborhood sell for. If you live in a neighborhood with more amenities, for example, chances are the houses will run for a higher price.

Additionally, look at listings for other houses in Yuma with a similar build to your own. Houses with the same number of rooms that are similar in quality tend to be around the same price, so you can get an estimate for your own price through research.

Competitive pricing is important because it will give buyers a sense of the quality of your home before they view it. Too high of a price will drive buyers away. By contrast, a price that's much lower than nearby homes will make buyers suspicious of the quality of your home.

Consult an Agent

Whether it's your first or fiftieth time selling a home, it's wise to get a professional's opinion. A real estate agent can give you a property valuation and help you price your home accordingly.

When choosing an agent, it's best to stick with someone local. A real estate agent familiar with the Yuma area will best be able to price your home.

Price with Flexibility in Mind

There is a high chance buyers won't offer your asking price. Since buyers tend to pitch offers lower than the property sell price, you might consider bumping up the asking price just a little bit than you actually want when you first list it.

Keep in mind that too high a price will keep buyers away. If your house sits on the market too long, you will have to keep dropping the price. If it gets too low, buyers might wonder if there's something wrong with the house that's keeping it from selling.

Be Smart When Pricing

It can be difficult to know how to price a house to sell, but the tips above will help you get started with your house-selling process. As long as you are realistic and do your research, you'll have no trouble appropriately pricing your home!

Check out the rest of our website for more articles and information on real estate in Yuma, Arizona!

Considering a move to Yuma, Arizona? Congratulations!

There are lots of benefits to living in Yuma, AZ. This small desert city has all the benefits of a small town including a low cost of living.

Keep reading to learn why Yuma the best place to live in Arizona and which neighborhoods are great for families and retirees. 

The Cost of Living Is Low

There are pros and cons of living in Yuma, AZ but one of the best pros is the low cost of living.

Yuma is cheaper than the average American city. The average home costs $156,300 well below the United States average of $231,200. The best neighborhoods in Yuma, AZ all have affordable homes. 

Transportation expenses like gas and bus fare are also cheaper in Yuma making Yuma a great place for families to settle.

The Climate Is Comfortable

Do grey skies get you down? That’s not an issue in Yuma. Yuma holds the Guinness World Record as the sunniest city on Earth. Yuma receives sunshine 91% of its total daylight hours. 

There are no bad hair days in Yuma because of the humidity. This desert city is dry and the least humid city in the United States. 

But this doesn’t mean that they are the hottest city. Miami and Key West both have Yuma beat in the heat category. Yuma nights are cool during the winter and people wear layers. Hard freezes are rare. Yuma enjoys comfortable mild temperatures for most of the year. 

Settle in Fortuna Foothills

Fortuna Foothills is a neighborhood of Yuma County. It is considered one of the best places to live in Yuma, AZ. This neighborhood has a suburban and rural feel to it. It’s a diverse neighborhood and its public schools are above average. 

Families and retirees mostly live in Fortuna Foothills. Most people own their homes. This laid back area is similar to Palm Springs but without the price tag. It is just a 15-minute ride east over to Yuma if you work in the city center. 

Live in Somerton

Somerton is located in Yuma County. Many consider it the best place to live in Yuma, AZ and it is easy to see why. Somerton has lots of parks and quiet neighborhoods. They have excellent schools, a relatively low crime rate, and all the essentials to raise a family. 

There are lots of clinics, hospitals, and easy access to medical services. People who live there consider the quality of care to be quite good. 

Residents enjoy the local festivals such as the corn fest, pet-palooza, and tamale festival. Somerton has lots of charm and a cute little main street downtown area. 

You’ll Love Living in Yuma, AZ

Is Yuma, AZ a good place to live? We think so! Visit Yuma to and find out why living in Yuma, AZ is a great lifestyle. 

Meet the team of Yuma Realty Professionals. We can help you find a house in Yuma that will become your family’s next home. We are a team of experienced agents who will treat you like family and put you first. 

Yuma is a real estate market that people are still putting money into, even in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Because business is still booming, real estate agents are making changes to keep everyone healthy and safe.

Every career comes with adjustments. The best real estate agents today are making adjustments for the coronavirus pandemic.

So, what adjustments are real estate agents making? Keep reading to find out!

They Are Improving Hygiene and Sanitation

Any real estate agent you hire will have to adapt to new strategies for cleanliness and sanitation.

For in-person visits, people are turned away if they have a fever or any signs of illness. Agents are encouraged to run temperature checks.

They need to have hand sanitation stations with at least 70% alcohol. Real estate agents should also increase spending on janitorial services to give it a professional touch of cleanliness. 

People shouldn't stop by for a visit without wearing a mask or face covering.

Virtual Tours Are the New Norm

In the past months, people have started searching for "virtual tours" far more than before.

This will probably keep increasing as people will still be wary of the spread of the virus. There will be new norms in place that won't change for some time. Any remote work that can be done will be encouraged, and virtual tours and Zoom or Skype tours are the easiest immediate change to make.

This includes virtual meetings to close deals and increasing what work can be done to process paperwork and applications.

Aerial Drone Footage Shows off the Neighborhood

Drones are excellent tools for real estate agents today. This lets people view the whole neighborhood and not just the property itself.

Getting aerial footage adds context to where they will be living and helps with the decision.

They Keep up With Stay at Home Orders and COVID-19 Changes

Even though Arizona ended its stay at home order in May, the COVID-19 virus is always a fluid situation.

Real estate agents need to always be prepared for these changing times. That way they won't get shut down or put people at risk.

Aside from laws, Arizona and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) might set out different standards for real estate agents and visitors to follow. If you do business with a real estate agent that is following these standards it can put your mind at ease about their professionalism.

The Best Real Estate Agents Make Adjustments

The most professional real estate agents will always make adjustments with the times. The recent events of 2020 are some of the most unprecedented, so you need a real estate professional that is prepared for COVID-19 and everything that comes with it.

It can help you find a property rental or real estate purchase that is a good fit. Yuma Realty Professionals are the best real estate agents that are ready to work for you. We follow COVID-19 standards and can match you with the right purchase.

Come look at our virtual tours to find a perfect property in Yuma!

Are you hoping to be as prepped as possible when you buy or sell your next home? A great way to show others you know what your talking about is to brush up on the language of real estate. 

In this guide, we will outline some real estate terminology that can help keep you prepared. Be as successful as possible in the selling or buying process by keeping these terms in your back pocket. 

As-Is 

When homes are marked with this indicator, it typically means that the home is on sale as-is. This means that the seller will not be repairing or updating anything before selling the home. This may cause such a home to be priced lower than others in the market. 

A home that is on the market as-is refers to the condition of the home at the time the offer was written. For this reason, if the home happens to have additional damages that occur after the offer was written, the home is no longer as-is. If the house has been altered in any way between the offer and the closing, the repairs will need to be made at the cost of the seller. 

Days on Market (DOM)

This term is used to refer to the number of days from the property listing date to the date the property is purchased and signed off by a buyer. The listings will typically be posted on the real estate agents' multiple listing services. This helps others get an idea of the average DOM homes are taking in certain locations, certain time periods, or seasons. 

The lower the average DOM, the stronger the market, making it a good time for sellers, whereas a higher DOM favors buyers. Homes typically sell at a lower DOM during spring versus winter as it's an easier and more comfortable time to move. 

Equity 

This term refers to the investment a homeowner has on their home. In order to calculate equity, one will take the market value of the home and subtract the mortgage. Equity is the amount that is leftover. 

Building equity is important for homeowners, as they can use this financial asset as leverage. This assists in qualifying for loans that can help pay off high-interest rates or home repairs. 

Seller Disclosure

This disclosure is made by the seller and includes important information about the property to the best of the sellers knowledge. This should include any issues such as pest issues, certain noises, or activity that could cause disruption as well as property line disputes. Recent deaths on the property should also be addressed. 

Real Estate Terminology You Should Know 

Whether you are buying or selling a home, these are key real estate terms you should familiarize yourself with. Make sure that you're as prepared as possible to make great real estate decisions by being equipped with this important real estate terminology. Educate yourself on the ins and outs of real estate to feel more confident in this field. 

Are you looking for a professional real estate agent that can help you sell your home? Or are you looking to buy a home? Contact us today for assistance.  

When it comes time to sell you home, your to-do list can fill up rather quickly. Between making repairs, cleaning, and staging your home for the market, it can be easy to forget about one of the most important steps - hiring a real estate agent. 

However, this step shouldn't be taken lightly. Learning how to choose a realtor for selling your house is just as important as every other step of the home-selling process, if not more.  

To better understand, keep reading for five common mistakes home sellers make when hiring a real estate agent in Yuma.

1. Hiring a Real Estate Agent Who Isn't Invested

One of the biggest mistakes you could make is hiring a real estate agent who isn't going to put everything into selling your home for a fair price. They may have too many clients already, be working only part-time as a realtor, or are looking to make a quick sell at any cost. 

Regardless, you need to learn how to interview a realtor to make sure you avoid this situation. Ask them how many current clients they have and how available they are to answer questions, host open houses, etc.

2. Hiring a Friend or Family Member

Although it may result in some hurt feelings, you'll want to avoid hiring a family member or friend to be your real estate agent. It's generally not a good idea to mix personal acquaintances with professional issues. When it comes to selling your house, there are a lot of ups and downs which can put stress or pressure on a preexisting personal relationship with your realtor.

Instead, opt for a professional agent who's invested in selling your house, but not because they're personally acquainted with you.

3. Hiring a Real Estate Agent Who Lacks Negotiation Skills

Learning how to choose a realtor to sell your home also means finding someone with adequate negotiation skills. Negotiation is a major part of the home selling process and buyers often start out bidding low. You need someone on your side who knows how to counter low offers while still keeping potential buyers on the line.

This is both a natural talent and one that can be learned with time and experience. 

4. Hiring a Real Estate Agent Without Looking at Past Client Reviews

Learning how to sell real estate isn't always easy. It can be even harder in slow real estate markets or tough economic climates. Focus on hiring a real estate agent who knows how to sell a home during the best and worst times in the market. 

Take a look at what their previous clients have to say about them by researching past reviews and testimonials. Their comments should tell you everything you need to know.

5. Getting Sucked In by Gimmicks

Finally, remember that in every industry, you often get what you pay for. The real estate industry is no different. Obviously, cheaper houses are less expensive for a reason. 

However, you'll also find this prevalence when it comes to hiring a real estate agent. Just because an agent offers the lowest commission prices, it doesn't mean they're the best choice to sell your home. Alternatively, you shouldn't choose an agent based on who's going to list your house for the highest value. 

Looking At Hiring a Real Estate Agent in Yuma?

Whether you're looking to buy or sell a home, you don't want to deal with the fallout of hiring the wrong real estate agent. Contact us today for help hiring a real estate agent who's professional, knowledgeable, and experienced. We will make sure you find someone with your best interests at heart.

It may seem difficult to attract people that want to buy your home in the digital age, but it doesn't have to be as complicated as you may think.

Would you like to reap the benefits of a 3D real estate walkthrough?

It might be easier for you to attract buyers when you capture the beauty of your home in stunning detail using 3D technology. 

Here's how virtual house tours are the latest trends to generate more interest in your home.

Virtual House Tours Save Time

The best way for you to attract home buyers is to offer convenience and to save them time. A virtual house tour is a technique that allows potential home buyers to view a property from their laptops, cell phones, and other devices. 

With a virtual tour, you don't have to go through the tedious process of meeting a buyer. You can use this technology to show them what they're getting and for them to determine if they should make a purchase.

A virtual house walkthrough is an exciting technology that helps to attract a large number of prospects and to increase your chances of getting a sale. 

It Gives New Buyers a Realistic Experience

3D tours give buyers a realistic experience and for them to have a sense of homeownership. Potential home buyers have the convenience to tour every area of your home from the privacy of their location.

The interactive features of a virtual tour create a powerful impact on home buyers and make it easier for them to have a strong sense of connection with the property. Regardless of the location of a potential buyer, they can tour your home at any time of day and get the instant feeling of living in the house.

The more time a prospect spends viewing your property from every angle, the more inclination they have to buy.

They Don't Need Technical Skills

Homebuyers don't need technical skills to view a property using 3D technology. So, you can send them 3D scans or a virtual tour for them to get a thorough view of a property.

You need to have high-quality videos and pictures to entice your prospects. This creates a good impression on buyers and makes them eager to purchase a property.

It Captures Your Home in Excellent Condition

You may have concerns about the quality of the home you're showing to a buyer. You could also need extra time to make certain repairs before giving buyers a tour of your home.

Since home buyers have an interest in homes that are aesthetically appealing from top to bottom, you can intrigue them with a 3D house tour. You can also virtually arrange furniture in your home to give prospects a visual idea of how your home will look.

This is a method you can use to provide a beautiful representation of your home.

Get Started With Your Tour

Virtual house tours is a state-of-the-art-technology that you can use to sell your house faster. Nowadays, more homebuyers are using virtual house tours to simplify the home buying process.

If you want to connect with a professional real estate agent, you can contact us for more information.

In this day and age, almost all potential home buyers begin their home buying search online. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that 83% of home buyers have said that photos are a very important factor when looking at homes on the internet.

Virtual staging is a cost-effective and convenient tool to make those ever-so-important pictures have the impact needed to sell a home quickly.

In this article, we will discuss what virtual staging is, pros and cons, and how to execute it properly to maximize the value of a listing.

What is Virtual Staging?

Home staging involves hiring a company to bring stylish furniture into a home, replacing the items that the owner currently has or furnishing an empty property, in an attempt to increase property value and decrease the time a listing is on the market.

Virtual staging is when home staging is executed by the use of digital images of homes and utilizing editing software to add in furnishings and decor. With this staging technique, empty rooms can be changed to fully furnished.

Rooms that have some furnishings can have finishing touches applied or extra clutter wiped out, all at the touch of a button. 

Pros and Cons of Virtual Staging

Let's take a look at some of the pros and cons of having your home virtually staged.

Pros

• Virtual staging is most certainly a cost-effective way to go.
  • The average cost of having your home staged with physical furniture is $300 to $600 for the initial consult and $500 to $600 per month per staged room. 
  • The average cost of virtual staging is around $100 to $300 per room.
• It allows for a room to be virtually converted in a photo to serve a different purpose.
  • For example, virtual staging techniques can change a brightly colored kid's room to a more subdued colored room with a desk to serve as an office to appeal to different potential buyers.
• A great benefit of having a listing virtually staged is that it can be completed while the owner is still living at the home. Items can be temporarily moved to allow for a photo of an empty room and then put right back until the home sells. 
• Virtual staging removes the need to have a room painted or clutter cleared prior to the home being listed.

Cons

• If not done professionally, furniture items can look distorted and strange, so it is important to use experienced agents when listing your home and using virtual staging.
• If not clearly noted in the listing, it can make prospective buyers feel misled when arriving at an empty home.

Virtual Staging Can Make the Difference in Your Listing

It's obvious based on the research that staging a home for listing photos increases sales price and decreases the time the listing is on the market. This study showed that the majority of realtors saw a 1% to 10% increase in sales price when the listing was staged.

With that in mind, why wouldn't you ask your Yuma real estate agent to have your home virtually staged? 

Housing prices are rising all over the country. Between that, shifting populations, changing weather, and rising traffic, many of us find ourselves on the move.

Some of us have specific places in mind for friends, family, jobs, and medical care, among other factors. For a lot of folks, though, we just need to get out of our current situations and go—but to where?

Living in Arizona is increasingly popular, and it just might be the perfect place for you. Read on for more information about what it's like to live in Arizona in 2020.

Is Arizona A Good Place To Live?

When searching for a new home base, the first question on anyone's mind is, of course, whether or not it's a good place to live.

So, you're looking at Arizona. Everyone knows the basics: heat, desert, cacti, reptiles. But those are just a few of the things that make Arizona special!

Here's why Arizona is a great place to live.

The Great Outdoors

Does Arizona's desert environment feel like a given? That may already be the popular perception of the state—but it's one thing to say that Arizona is a desert state, and another to experience it.

For nature-lovers, Arizona's landscape and unique desert wildlife are huge draws. Hiking conditions are optimal all year long, so moving to Arizona is the perfect opportunity to connect with nature and get fit!

Rich Arizona Culture

Arizona might be covered in deserts, but it's far from deserted. 

When coming to Arizona, you quickly find yourself surrounded by a colorful, blended culture. The well-known settler cowboy culture is, of course, common. You are in the wild, wild West, after all! 

On top of that, traditional cultural influence comes from Mexican and Latino populations, and particularly from the many tribes indigenous to Arizona, such as the Hopi and Navajo nations.

The state's culture is certainly unique, and you'll learn a lot of history by moving there!

The Best Places To Live In Arizona

Are you wondering where to live in Arizona? The biggest cities, Phoenix and Tuscon, are great places to live, but real estate prices there are rising as people flock from other parts of the country. All the newcomers mean that traffic is getting a lot worse, too.

But are there easy alternatives? Yes, there are!

Unlike in some other western states like Montana and Oregon, you aren't stuck between tiny little towns in the middle of nowhere and a couple of big cities. Instead, Arizona has a good number of cities and towns from huge to tiny to explore. Smaller places to live in Arizona include available houses in Yuma, Tempe, and Chandler. 

Planning On Living In Arizona?

Now that you're up to date on what living in Arizona is like, are you ready to start planning your big move?

Whatever resource you're looking for, we have just the thing for you! Check out our new Arizona home listings to begin your journey.

When it comes to buying a home, 87 percent of buyers in the U.S. choose to work with a real estate agent.

At the same time, though, there's a significant number of people who wonder whether or not it's really necessary to hire someone to help them find a house.

If you're not sure about hiring a real estate agent when shopping for a home in Yuma, AZ, keep reading.

Explained below are some of the benefits of using a real estate agent.

What Do Real Estate Agents Do?

Often, when people are on the fence about hiring a real estate agent, it's because they're unsure of what they do.

The following are some basic duties associated with being a real estate agent:

• Help buyers find properties that suit their needs and budgets
• Negotiate with sellers to help their clients get better prices
• Answer questions about all aspects of the home buying process
• Handle inspections to make sure homes are in good condition

Real estate agents also work very hard to keep their clients calm and free from stress while they search for their dream home.

Benefits of Using a Real Estate Agent

Now that you know more about what a real estate agent does, let's get into how they can help you find the house of your dreams sooner.

Here are five benefits that come with hiring a real estate agent:

1. Work with an Experienced Professional

It helps to have an experienced professional on your side, especially if you're buying a house for the first time.

You probably have a million questions about the process, and a real estate agent can answer all of them. They can also address all the questions you never thought to ask.

2. Learn About the Best Neighborhoods

Real estate agents also know much more about a particular area than the average home buyer. They'll be able to tell you which neighborhoods are part of the best school districts and where you should live if you value peace and quiet.

3. Get Help with Paperwork

There's a ton of paperwork associated with buying a house. A real estate agent can handle a lot of it for you and help you understand exactly what you're getting into.

4. Make Use of Their Connections

Real estate agents often have valuable connections with other professionals in the community. From loan officers to contractors, you'll have access to these people, too, when you work with the right agent.

5. Get Answers to Post-Closing Questions

Finally, real estate agents can answer any questions that might pop up after the closing is complete.

Once you've invested in a Yuma home, you might still have questions about taxes, HOA memberships, or other issues related to buying a house.

Your agent will be able to answer all of these for you -- they won't just leave you to fend for yourself.

Hire a Real Estate Agent Today

As you can see, there are plenty of perks that come with using a real estate agent to help you find a great home.

Real estate agents simplify the home buying process and can introduce you to homes you never would have found on your own.

If you're shopping for a home in Yuma, AZ, we can help at Yuma Realty Professionals.

Contact us today to check out newly listed homes in the area or to schedule an appointment with one of our real estate agents.

Thinking about selling your home? With the bustling real estate market here in Yuma, Arizona, it’s a great time to get your home in front of prospective buyers.

While it’s tempting to handle your home sale on your own, most sellers prefer help from someone who knows the ins and outs of marketing and selling a home.

Learn more about 5 benefits of hiring a real estate agent to sell your home.

1. Do You Know the Market?

You may think you understand the market in your neighborhood because you’ve spent time browsing local listings.

A real estate agent does more than browse. They study the market and work with it every day. They also have quick access to numbers.

Realtors keep tabs on home listings, home sales, and current trends. The numbers they use help them make educated recommendations about the listing price for your home.

2. Staging Your Home

Before you ever open your door to potential buyers, your home should look like a showplace. A real estate agent knows how it’s done.

They can take the humblest of homes and make it shine.

A well-staged home sells faster and closer to the listing price. Why wouldn’t you take advantage of a realtor’s staging expertise?

3. The Multiple Listing Service

Unless you’re a licensed realtor, you won’t have access to the full range of marketing tools needed to sell your home.

The big one is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS). Once an agent lists a home on the MLS agents everywhere can view your home.

Any seller interested in maximizing exposure wants their home in the MLS database.

4. You Need a Contract Expert

One of the most significant benefits of hiring a real estate agent is that you’ll have a contract guru.

From start to finish, real estate transactions require what seems like a mountain of paperwork including:

• Buyer’s Agent Agreement
• Purchase Agreement
• Seller Disclosures
• Home Inspection Report

There’s more we won’t list here but you get the idea, right? A realtor reads over each contract and keeps track of deadlines so that you don’t miss anything.

5. How Are Your Negotiation Skills?

Most buyers don’t come in with an offer at your listing price. This is where you want a real estate agent who has some mad negotiation skills.

Your agent knows the value of your property. They can help you with counter offers and will negotiate a price with the prospective buyer and their agent.

Selling a home is an emotional event. Emotions and numbers usually don’t make good business partners. A real estate agent can talk numbers without letting feelings get in the way.

More Benefits of Hiring a Real Estate Agent

We’ve shared just a few reasons why realtors are key to successful home sales. There are many more benefits of hiring a real estate agent.

Education and professional training prepare agents for every aspect of selling a home. They’re also passionate about helping clients close the deal.

If you’re ready to list your home and want to partner with an agent dedicated to getting it sold, contact us and schedule a free consultation.