Are you planning to sell your luxury golf course property in Scottsdale? Even if the house is impressive and emanates elegance, selling your house at your desired price requires work and strategic thinking. Take a look at seven essential tips for selling golf course homes in Scottsdale, AZ.
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THE MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITIES AND GOLF COURSE HOMES IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Boasting over 200 different golf courses in and around the city, Scottsdale is one of the best places to experience top-notch golf. It’s no surprise that this desert city located east of Phoenix is hailed as “The World’s Finest Golf Destination.” It’s also home to some of the finest and most luxurious golf course homes in the world. Thus, Scottsdale has become a sought-after destination for prospective buyers looking to invest in master-planned communities and smaller subdivisions.
Some of the notable communities buyers are keen happen to have with the best and most luxurious golf course homes in Scottsdale, AZ:
- Silverleaf
Located inside the master-planned community of DC Ranch, Silverleaf is one of the finest luxury gated golf communities in Scottsdale, Arizona. It is tucked into the canyons of McDowell Mountains with the McDowell Sonoran Preserve surrounding it. Buyers who happen to be golfing enthusiasts will appreciate the 18-hole, Tom Weiskopf-designed championship golf course. The 50,000-square-foot Silverleaf Clubhouse which features Rural Mediterranean architecture is another perk buyers will love.
- Gainey Ranch
Dubbed “The Oasis in the Desert” for the past three decades, Gainey Ranch is a 640-acre community that offers resort-style living. Buyers won’t get enough of the majestic views of the McDowell Mountains with an abundance of fountains and palm trees scattered around the community. Its proximity to notable shopping areas makes it even more appealing.
Other sought-after gated golf communities in Scottsdale, Arizona include Estancia, McCormick Ranch, Scottsdale Country Club, Desert Mountain, Desert Highlands, Desert Ridge, and Pinnacle Peak.
If you live in any of the communities above, allow us to walk you through the prospects of selling your home and the options that await you. Contact us, Carol Royse Luxury Division at Keller Williams Realty, to find out more.
Scottsdale luxury golf course real estate market outlook
With the current economic climate, home sellers may question the feasibility of letting go of their luxury homes in Scottsdale, AZ. Is there a market out there?
September 2022 numbers look encouraging enough. Scottsdale remains fairly competitive, beating out some of the surrounding cities. The median listing price of homes was $801,000, while the median listing home price per square foot was $402, showing a 15.7% increase from 2021.
Scottsdale is also hailed as one of the 25 best places to buy a vacation home in 2022. . Its short-term rental market is thriving despite the pandemic’s effect on tourism. Additionally, Arizona’s short-term rental regulation bill provides more protection for investors looking to put up home rental businesses.
7 TIPS FOR SELLING SCOTTSDALE, AZ GOLF COURSE REAL ESTATE
Selling a Scottsdale, AZ golf course real estate can be tricky. Owning a luxury house with first-class amenities does not guarantee that you’ll get the best value from your property. Many things come into play, not least of which is the uncertainty surrounding the US and global markets.
However, real estate remains one of the most solid investments a buyer can make if they are keen on building wealth over time. And in today’s market, that may well be building generational wealth.
Sellers, on the other hand, can look to wealthy repeat buyers to purchase their properties, which will more than likely be paid for in cash.
Therefore, for homeowners entertaining the thought of selling their luxury golf course homes in Scottsdale, AZ, here are the most important steps to follow:
1. Gather your documents
Before you put your property on the market, make sure all the important documents are complete. The key is to make the life of the buyer easier to boost the chances of a smooth deal. Getting all the documents ready will help the buyer in performing their due diligence. Aside from the home’s original purchase contract, prepare the following as well:
- Mortgage documents
- Tax records
- Property survey
- Certificate of compliance with local codes
- Home purchase appraisal
It’s also advisable to secure a pre-sale home inspection, which is a detailed inspection of the property conducted by professional inspectors. The inspectors will look at your property closely for mechanical or structural concerns. The pre-sale home inspection generally costs a few hundred dollars, which can save you from the hassle of running into issues once the buyer orders their own inspection.
2. Check your competition
Look into how the local luxury real estate market in Scottsdale is doing and get a feel for your competitors. What luxury features do other golf course homes in Scottsdale, AZ have that yours doesn’t? Are those features dealbreakers or can you compensate in other ways?
Luxury homebuyers already have a price in mind before they start looking for a property. All they’re waiting for is a chance to personally visit the house and get a feel for the surroundings before they decide. Competitors in your neighborhood may not be aware of the current local real estate market trends, so market information can be your edge for connecting more effectively with potential buyers.
3. Choose your upgrades wisely
A lot of homeowners fall into the trap of going overboard when upgrading their homes before selling. Unnecessary upgrades mean incurring unnecessary costs. Instead, Identify the changes that will yield the highest return on investment.
Today’s homebuyers are diverse, with millennials dominating the home buying demographic. Nevertheless, luxury golf homes still attract older buyers looking for a luxury turnkey home with the latest amenities.
Also, check new trends that are driving local homebuyers. The safest upgrades that don’t cost a fortune but translate to positive results are new carpets, improved landscaping, and a fresh coat of neutral paint. Additionally, focus on improving the kitchen and bathrooms, as they deliver the highest ROI. Replacing the hardware and doors of the old kitchen and bathroom cabinets will also give them an upgraded look.
If your home has existing issues, be prepared to disclose information about its condition. Seller disclosures cover the following basic aspects:
- Building and safety conditions
- Ownership and property details
- Environmental factors
- Sewage or wastewater treatment systems
- Provided utilities
- Other conditions that may affect your property’s value, the buyer’s decision, and/or their ability to use your home
Interestingly, Arizona also imposes the following home disclosures, if applicable:
- Notice of soil remediation
- Swimming pool barrier disclosure
- Military airport disclosure
- Condo disclosure information
- Disclosure affidavit for land in unincorporated areas
Be sure to answer buyer questions concerning issues truthfully. If you are unsure of the answer, it is best to say you don’t know instead of making assumptions that may lead to a case of misrepresentation.
4. Come up with a realistic price tag
Golf course homes for sale in Scottsdale, AZ fly off the market faster with a realistic price tag. Luxury homebuyers have the money but they will still want to pay for what they perceive is the value of the property.
Begin by checking the comps or data sheets containing properties recently sold in your neighborhood. This will give you an idea of the value of homes similar to yours sold in the past month or so. Also, look at how the housing market in the country is doing in the same month and compare the current prices of luxury homes in Scottsdale. This will give you an idea of the amount potential buyers are willing to pay.
Deciding to price your property realistically allows you to avoid lowering your home’s asking price if offers don’t come in. Frequent price reductions may send a message to buyers that something might be wrong with your property.
5. Stage your property
Your home’s curb appeal is one of the first things that will attract potential buyers. Apart from the home’s exterior, cleaning up the interior and making it feel welcoming are equally important. Start by depersonalizing your home to help buyers think of your space as theirs.
Homebuyers want to visualize themselves and their prized possessions in the property. Thus, removing your personal items like family photos, souvenirs, and personal keepsakes is crucial. In the same vein, get rid of clutter that may distract the buyers’ attention during an open house.
To further boost the home’s appeal, invest in professional staging. Stagers will know what things to store or keep in the open. They will rearrange the furniture, or bring their own, to make sure the room’s best feature is highlighted. They will enhance the flow between rooms and create a vibe that will make it more appealing to the target buyer.
Interestingly, staged homes sell three to thirty times faster compared to unstaged houses. Furthermore, staged properties can up your price tag by an average of 20%, according to the International Association of Home Staging Professionals.
When posting your property online, make sure to use high-quality photos and videos. Consider hiring a professional real estate photographer who can highlight your home’s strengths and key features. Even if golf course homes for sale in Scottsdale, AZ already look grand, home staging can take their beauty and grandeur to the next level.
6. Be open to negotiations
After listing luxury homes in Scottsdale, AZ, sellers will typically wait for a week for the offers to come in. Carefully review each offer and compare them with other offers. In a sellers’ market, expect to receive offers above or equal to your asking price.
On the flip side, a buyers’ market may only net you a few offers. In this case, be prepared to negotiate for a favorable price. Once you receive an offer, you have the option to accept or reject it.
You can also present a counteroffer. Put it in writing and set a deadline for the buyer to respond. Generally, buyers have until 48 hours to accept or reject the counteroffer.
7. Prepare weeks ahead for the closing
Closing a real estate transaction isn’t as simple as the buyer transferring the payment and the seller handing over the title. Unless the buyer pays cash, closing costs come into play. They involve different kinds of fees apart from the real estate agent’s fees. The closing costs, which range between 2% and 5% of the property’s purchase price, can be shouldered by either the buyer or the seller, or both depending on their agreement.
Generally, the closing costs paid by the seller are deducted from the sale’s profit. Here are the specific types of closing costs sellers are expected to cover:
- Title insurance policy fees
- Outstanding amounts owed to the house
- Transfer taxes
- Recording fees
- Mortgage payoff (if applicable)
- Prepayment penalties (if applicable)
- Seller’s attorney fees (if applicable)
In some instances, the buyer may ask you to shoulder a portion or all of their closing costs. If you decide to agree to the buyer’s request, the closing costs will reflect on the sale’s net proceeds. It’s also a common practice for sellers to cover the commissions of both their and the buyers’ agents.
HOW A TRUSTED REAL ESTATE AGENT CAN HELP SELL YOUR GOLF COURSE HOME
Some homeowners choose the “for sale by owner” or FSBO route when selling their properties. Unfortunately, going the FSBO route comes with risks that may prove to be costly in the end.
With all the complexities surrounding the real estate transaction, it’s easy for buyers and sellers to miss important details that may lead to various complications, among other issues.
Below are some of the best reasons to hire a reputable agent specializing in luxury homes in Scottsdale, AZ.
1. Extensive local market knowledge
Though most homeowners have a good idea about the value of their property and the goings-on in the community, a professional real estate agent still has the edge when it comes to specialized knowledge about the local market. They track the ebb and flow of trends and developments that impact both the national and local markets. They apply strategies appropriate to current realities.
In turn, they arm you with intel that will allow you to maximize your profit margin. You’ll learn how to compare your home’s value with similar properties in your neighborhood.
A trusted real estate agent will also guide you through the process from start to finish. Parting with your property may be emotionally tough and can easily affect your decision-making. The agent remains objective at all times and will keep you in the loop in case of updates or pressing concerns that need to be addressed.
2. Saves more time
With so much paperwork involved in selling golf course homes in Scottsdale, AZ, it’s easy to overlook documents. Having a seasoned Realtor can help you save a lot of time when it comes to dealing with the paperwork. Agents can keep track of pertinent documents such as records, listing contracts, titles, deeds, and tax information. Their attention to detail diminishes the likelihood of running into problems down the road.
On top of the paperwork, a real estate agent will be on top of calls, emails, showings, and negotiations. An agent can find solutions to hasten the home selling process. An agent can also review offers faster and help you decide the best course of action – whether to accept, reject, or make a counteroffer.
3. Professional marketing skills
Realtors and agents also possess solid marketing skills that will help generate maximum exposure for your property. If you don’t know how to stage your home, your agent can recommend professional stagers. They can recommend real estate photographers that will present your home at its best. Furthermore, agents can provide sound advice concerning areas in your house that need improvement.
In addition, dependable agents will use social media tools to broaden your property’s reach. They can also manage open houses and showings and solicit feedback thereafter.
4. Correct pricing
Hiring an agent will ensure you’re putting the correct price tag on your property. The agent can help you strategize a price tag that’s appropriate for your property while remaining attractive to buyers. They’ll analyze local market conditions and other key factors to come up with the right price.
Determining the right price tag involves evaluating comparable properties. The agent will also consider the timing of your sale and perform quick adjustments if the price doesn’t resonate with what the current market wants.
5. Superior negotiation skills
Complementing the vast knowledge of reputable agents are top-notch negotiation skills. Agents know the right things to say and the right time to deliver them. Selling your property without an agent runs the risk of having your emotions get the better of you, which can cloud your thinking.
Not having an emotional stake enables an agent to communicate your concerns without driving away interested buyers.
6. Your best interests
Last but not least, agents have a fiduciary duty to prioritize your best interests. It means adhering to lofty standards of privacy and confidentiality. A good agent will not divulge your personal details, particularly your financial information.
Your agent is also barred from telling the buyer if you will accept less than what your price tag states. Even if the agent knows that you are willing to accept a lower offer during a tight market, they are bound by their fiduciary duty. Instead, they will ask the buyer to write an offer and present it to you. Alternatively, the agent can be straightforward and tell the buyer that they’re not allowed to discuss matters concerning a lower price.
REASONS TO WORK WITH US
If you’re searching for a seasoned Realtor to sell your luxury property in Scottsdale, AZ, the Carol Royse Luxury Division is a name you can trust. We specialize in luxury properties like golf course homes in Scottsdale, AZ. With over 30 years of industry experience, we have helped countless high-net-worth home sellers and buyers achieve their real estate goals, making us one of the top-producing luxury realtors at Keller Williams Realty.
Aside from golf course properties, we also handle gated communities, waterfront homes, vacation homes, new construction homes, and equestrian lands in the Arizona communities of Paradise Valley, Chandler, and Gilbert. The moment you hire our team, expect to receive undivided attention and the highest level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Let’s sell your luxury property today!
Get the best value from your property by teaming up with the Carol Royse Luxury Division at Keller Williams Realty. Give us a call at 480.776.5231 and connect with some of the best agents specializing in golf course homes for sale in Scottsdale, AZ. You may also contact us here.