With listing inventories in Southern MD at their highest levels in years, many sellers are running into fierce competition.  In order to grab the attention of buyers, it's crucial that sellers stand out from the crowd.  In our experience, we've found that three key factors contribute to a successful sale.  The most important factor is Price.  Buyers and their agents are very savvy and compare homes that they view in person and online.  If you're overpriced in this market, your chances of selling are reduced virtually to zero.  Condition is also extremely important.  Buyers expect homes to be spotless and welcoming.  This is why staging has become an increasingly effective tool in selling today.  The third key factor is Marketing.  While sellers control Price & Condition, Realtors control how a home is marketed to buyers and other agents.  A seller could have the best-priced, best-looking home in the county and not be able to sell it if no one knows about it.  An effective Marketing Plan should start with identifying the most likely buyer for the property being sold.  Then, all marketing efforts including print advertising, MLS/online ads, custom virtual tours, direct mail, open houses, etc should cater to that target market.