I was thrilled when my friend Erin reached out to me in the summer of 2023 asking to see a house that had just come on the market in a neighboring town. This was back in August when Erin and her husband, Sebastian, were weighing their options – do they stay in their current home at 62 Wainwright Place that they love and have created countless memories in, or sell and purchase a larger home with more room to grow. This was a conversation I’ve been having with so many people lately. They took some time to deliberate, and when the new year came around, they decided the right thing for their family was to make a move!
Our process for listing their home began with a consultation with a professional stager, a complimentary service I extend to all my clients. The insights from these sessions often prove invaluable, enabling homes to sell for more money in a shorter time frame. The stager gave them recommendations for minor changes that made a big impact, like repainting the living room, pairing down personal items, and moving around a few pieces of furniture. Together, we mapped out a timeline and aimed to list their home in the early Spring.
Erin and Sebastian were in a situation where they were buying and selling simultaneously, not an easy feat in general, but especially in this market with such low inventory. When a house in their dream neighborhood came on the market in February and their offer was accepted (yay!), we knew it was time to put all of our planning into action! Thanks to their diligence, most of the stager’s suggestions were already implemented, leaving just a few final touches before our professional photographers could work their magic. In a matter of days, the house was ready to be put on the MLS and across all real estate websites!
With kids and a busy schedule to juggle, it was important that the process of selling their home was quick and would yield the greatest return on their investment. In real estate, staying attuned to the present moment is crucial. Past sales don’t necessarily reflect current market dynamics. Homes that are closing today likely accepted an offer one to three months ago, which means their sale price is not always an accurate indication of current market conditions. Armed with this knowledge, I delved into recent activity by reaching out to the agents of properties that were under contract and touring properties that were recently listed to gauge the pulse of the market. This informed our decision to strategically price the home just below market value at $419,000, which generated a ton of interest!
But pricing was just one piece of the puzzle. It is always our goal to showcase our listings in a unique and memorable way. We pulled out all the stops on the marketing front starting with professional photography. From there we crafted personalized home magazines and brochures (check out our virtual home magazine below!), created an individualized website, and invited the neighborhood to open houses. This, coupled with our robust social media presence, ensured maximum exposure to potential buyers.
In just 5 days and after a busy open house, we had over 40 showings and received multiple offers that were all over our list price – but one stood out. The offer was well over the asking price, with no financing contingencies, and the bonus of a month’s free rent-back. It was a win-win, affording Erin and Sebastian some breathing room between the closing of their new home and the closing of 62 Wainwright Place, and the opportunity to complete a few projects at the new house prior to moving in. The offer we accepted was at $460,000, which was $41,000 over our asking price!
Wainwright Place holds a special spot in Erin and Sebastian’s hearts – it’s a place where they’ve nurtured their family, forged lasting bonds, and created countless memories. Their friendly neighborhood, close proximity to Paradise Green’s shops and restaurants, and the parks, playgrounds and beautiful beaches has made Stratford such an amazing place to live. Now, as they embark on a new chapter, they’re eager to create fresh memories in their new home and new neighborhood!
The buzz surrounding 62 Wainwright Place speaks volumes – your neighborhood is in high demand! If you have similar goals and might consider selling down the line (sometime this year or even in the next few years), reach out. Let’s chat about how I can help turn your real estate dreams into reality! Call or text me at 203.470.7356 – I’m here to assist every step of the way.
–Jennifer Peters, Realtor, The Pritchard Homes Team
62 Wainwright magazine.pdf by Pritchard Homes Team