Of all the things homeowners control when selling their home, the condition of the property is one of the most important.

A crucial part of marketing any product is the presentation of the product.  Corporations and retail businesses understand this concept and pay millions of dollars each year to advertising and marketing consultants to get the best advise possible for marketing their products.

The same is true for real property.  In order to compete effectively with other sellers, homeowners must present their homes to the marketplace in an attractive, desirable condition.  When you bought your home, you probably comparison-shopped and it is commonplace for buyers to do so.  According to the National Association of Realtors, the average purchaser looks at 10 to 20 properties prior to purchasing a home.  Regardless of how many properties are on the market, available buyers will always seek the best-priced property that is in the best condition.

Think Like a Buyer!
You are not just selling a house. You are selling shelter, lifestyle, and dreams.  People always want the best for themselves, and your home should represent the buyer’s answer to this goal.  Put yourself in the buyer’s shoes!  Remember, they arrive at your front door wanting to find the right home.  Don’t make them search somewhere else for it.  If you have done your homework, every room in your home will create a desire for the buyer to stay.

Start Making a List!
Walk outside and take a look at the property through the critical eyes of a buyer.  Is there anything that needs repairing, looks worn, or is outdated?  Start writing these items down on your list.  Walk through the interior and do the same thing.  Ask for the assistance of everyone in your family. After all, a shorter sales time will benefit everybody in the family.

Do Everything Before Putting Your Home on the Market!
Complete all of your repairs, improvements, and enhancements prior to your first showing.  Remember, your best showings come early in the process when your home is new to the market.  Be ready!

Six Things

To Do To Sell Your House

 Faster and For More Money!

REPAIRS

A rule of thumb is if something needs repair, fix it!  There are probably many things in your home that you have simply become used to over time … things that you have been promising yourself that you would attend to.  Well, now is the time.  The buyer will mentally add up the cost of repairing all those minor flaws and end up with an amount that is generally much higher than what it would cost you to do the repairs.

You might be saying to yourself, “these repairs aren’t any big deal.”  But the buyer is thinking, “If the owners didn’t care for these little items, then what about the roof and the air conditioner?”  Needed small repairs and perceived owner neglect will either lower the purchase price or lengthen the time required to sell.

Get a Seller’s Home Inspection.  You get a professional opinion on the condition of your property for about $275 and eliminate any surprises that could come from a buyer’s professional inspection.

CLEANING

Every area of the house must sparkle and shine!  Each hour spent will be well worth it. Would you rather buy a clean car or a dirty one?  Would you hurry to buy a pair of shoes with mud on them? 

NEUTRALIZING

Be cautious about selecting colors when painting or replacing carpeting.  Forget your personal taste … the “market” is always demand driven!  Your objective here is to make your home appeal to the largest possible buying segment.  Ask yourself “How many of the available buyers would be able to move into your house with their furniture and not have to replace the carpet?”  Position your home on the market to be as livable to as many people as possible.  The average buyer will have a hard time looking beyond blue carpeting and bold wallpaper. Consider replacing unusual or bold colors with neutral tones.  Two coats of white paint may be the best investment you ever made.

SPACE MANAGEMENT

Arrange furniture to give the rooms as spacious a feeling as possible.  Consider removing furniture from rooms that are crowded.  Store large items if necessary.

Pack up collectibles … both to protect them, and to give the room a more spacious feel.  Leave just enough accessories to give the house a personal touch.  Dispose of unneeded items.

ATMOSPHERE

When placing yourself in the potential buyer’s shoes, you want to consider the overall atmosphere of your home.  Keep in mind your sense of smell as you go through the checklist.  Create the atmosphere of your home as a shelter, a place that is safe and warm, and in good condition.

A clean smelling house creates a positive image in the buyer’s mind.  Be aware of any odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc., that may have adverse effects on potential buyers. Remember that some people are much more sensitive to odors than others.  Smokers rarely notice the odor of tobacco that fills their homes, and pet owners may be oblivious to objectionable cat or dog odor.

Mildew odors are another no-no. Do not allow wet towels to accumulate in hampers or dirty laundry to pile up in closets.

Once offensive odors are removed, consider adding delightful ones.  Recent studies have shown that humans have strong, positive responses to certain smells.  Cinnamon, fresh flowers, breads baking in the oven are all excellent ways to enhance your property for sale.

STAGING

This part of preparing your home for sale is the most fun and involves the use of color, lighting, and accessories to emphasize the best features of your home.

Study magazine ads or furniture showrooms to see how small details can make rooms more attractive and appealing.  The effect of a vase of flowers, an open book on the coffee table, a basket of birch logs by the fireplace, a scented candle, etc. can make the difference in a room.

The use of a brightly colored pillow in a wing chair or a throw blanket on a couch can add dimension to a sterile room.

Soften potentially offending views, but always let light into your rooms. Replace heavy curtains with sheer white panels. Never apologize for things you cannot change.  The buyer will either decide to accept or reject the property regardless of the words you say.  You must present your home in the best possible way with complete honesty.