When I have time to post to this blog nearly every day you know the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville area real estate market is likely really slow. When I don’t post as in the last several days it is generally because we have been busy or we are vacationing – unfortunately that is NOT the case this time. In reality either of these possibilities are very good things. Although I really do enjoy writing posts relevant to our Smoky Mountain real estate market it doesn’t pay the bills, at least not directly. What does put food on my family’s table is when we can assist people in buying or selling real estate here in the Smokies.

With the worst year in area real estate in many years about 3/4 complete it has been a real challenge to complete transactions this year. While it was announced today that nationally, August home sales were at the slowest rate in 17 years my own rate of sales has actually picked up. With 7 transactions pending and a couple of more in the works October looks as if it will be the best month of the year for our Schoenfield team.

Why are we faring better than so many of my peers? The answer is because our listings are priced at a level that is not only competitive but compelling. In these challenging times it can be difficult to make a case for buying real estate, especially a second home which so many of our sales are. The answer to the puzzle is to price homes at super competitive levels and then to market them effectively using every tool at our disposal. High quality photographs, detailed property descriptions, maximum possible MLS data and virtual tours all add up to more sales. If you want to sell your property in these trying days, price it at a level that is not just competitive but is compelling and then make sure that the firm you are listing your property for sale with is using all of the tools available to market it as effectively as possible.