Tiffany Bracken

The market is fiercely competitive, so having your pre-approval or proof of funds ready before going to see a home is key. Great homes sell the first weekend on the market.

It's important not to overprice your home. In today's market, buyers have been in so many homes they can quickly discern an overpriced one. If the home is priced right, we will have the market chasing your home. Then, you will have all the offers to choose from, putting you in the driver's seat. If the home is overpriced, you and we steadily drop the price to attract an offer, but then the buyer is in control.

First-time homebuyers, move-up buyers, sellers, people downsizing or upsizing, right-sizing, estates, probate homes, land, and commercial properties.

Recently, I listed a home in Perry Township for a 94-year-old woman who had lived there since October 1961. She wasn't aware of how the internet has changed the process of selling homes. Both she and her adult children were involved and they all loved the home. Although the home was dated, it had been well taken care of. To attract people to the dated home, we needed to overcome that obstacle with pricing, as the first showing typically happens online based on the photos. Great photos are imperative. I suggested listing the home for $144,900, but she was unsure. However, her kids supported the number. I advised her to sleep on it, assuring her that we would receive multiple offers. Despite her uncertainty about how the internet works, she agreed. In just three days, we had 37 showings and ended up with 14 offers, some with escalation clauses that reached up to $170,000. Ultimately, she decided to go with a cash offer that waived inspections and closed in 10 days. The whole family was thrilled. They particularly appreciated my write-up about the home. The buyer, just starting her life in the home, felt like the house had truly come full circle.

I started in February 2014. Many people get into real estate for the houses, but this business is not about the houses; it's about the people in them, their lives, and the life they want to build.