Ten Rules To Follow When Selling A Home
Wednesday, March 09, 2011
Selling a home in today’s market requires a knowledgeable professional, a REALTOR, leading the way. Gone are the days when you made up an asking price, threw a sign in the front yard, and watched as Buyers fought over the right to be the next owner. Today, you must price the property correctly and present it in an inviting manner. Then, and only then, might you attractive someone willing to buy.
The following are ten rules to follow if you want to be successful selling your property:
1) Hire a REALTOR (there is a definite difference between a REALTOR and a real estate licensee) who is knowledgeable of your community.
2) Look at your property as if you were seeing it for the first time. Go outside and look at the landscaping, condition of the roof, paint, door and walkway. If it is not drop-dead gorgeous, get to work. The first impression will impact future buyers and will oftentimes influence if they will actually enter the property.
3) Clean out the clutter. We collect as much stuff as our space allows. But when it comes time to sell, open spaces look best.
4) Fix all deferred maintenance items and brighten rooms with fresh, neutral colored paint. Make improvements that improve the “showability” of your property.
5) Depersonalize your property. An abundance of family pictures can distract buyers. Remember, you want them focus, and to picture themselves moving in, not on your memorabilia.
6) Have your REALTOR research and determine fair market value. Throw your preconceived ideas out the window and look at your property through the eyes of someone wanting to buy. While it is okay to challenge the value your REALTOR comes up with, in the long run, it is best to trust their educated, unbiased, opinion.
7) Prepare yourself for offers that do not match your asking price and have a plan on how flexible you can be.
8) Get pre-approved for your next purchase so when a Buyer does come and you’re faced with a decision to take the offer and move out within 30 - 40 days, or lose the Buyer, you are in a better position to immediately go out and locate your next home.
9) Do one last clean out and clean up. Go through your home one last time and determine what else you can remove and comfortably live, then have the windows cleaned, open the curtains and display fresh flowers. Also, scent is a very powerful sense. Candles, baked cookies or bread, and brewed coffee will enhance the buyer’s experience. A bright, open, fresh, house is a welcoming home!
10) Be ready willing and able to have your home shown at any time. Regardless if you are given a ‘courtesy call’ or not, if someone knocks on your door while it is daylight, be ready to show! A hard home to show is a hard home to sell!
- Scott Askew
Posted in: Tips for Sellers