SELLING A HOME? . . . .WHAT EVERY HOME SELLER NEEDS TO KNOW

Have you noticed how many ‘For Sale’ signs there are today? Does it seem like some just don’t sell as fast as others?

Well, you are right. Selling a home with hundreds on the market, and fewer than 90 actually closing each month, means a lot of inventory and tough competition!! Add to that all the new listings coming onto the market each month, selling a home can be a daunting task.

With so many homes competing for buyers, today’s home seller has to be determined and highly motivated. Following are just some of the issues that must be addressed if you are to be successful. . .

• PRICE IT RIGHT.  Pricing your home high just to see if you might get a higher offer is a waste of time. Home shoppers are savvy. They browse the internet and know what’s out there at what prices. Pricing it high will only result in buyers passing you by. And you can’t sell a house that no one’s looking at! So. Price it right from day one, and you’ll get buyers beating a path to your door.
• FIX, REPAIR, PAINT.  We all have those small repairs and projects that we’ve ignored because they just didn’t seem important. Like house trim with chipped or mildewed paint. A broken gutter. Or a front door that is weather worn. Hey! These are the sort of things people notice. What has seemed minor to you up till now, will leave a very negative overall impression on a buyer. Can you afford to lose a buyer over this minor stuff?
• CURB APPEAL.  Pull weeds and freshen up the flower beds. Edge the driveway, sidewalks and curb. You would be surprised how many buyers drive through a neighborhood and check a home off their list just by the way it looks on the outside… and likewise, sometimes they just can’t wait to see the inside because  the house  “…just looks so beautiful.”  This is one time, appearances do matter!!
• STAGE YOUR HOME.  Step back. Take a hard look at your house. Does it look tired and outdated? How about a new bedspread and plush towels in the bath? Should you store that beat up recliner in the garage for now? And for heaven’s sake, remove the shaving cream and toothpaste from the vanity; put out a nice dish of hand soaps instead.
• DE-CLUTTER.  Buyers need to visualize themselves living in your house. Pack up the ‘stuff’ that makes your rooms look crowded. All dressers, tables, and vanities should be cleared off and tidy. Go ahead and pack the seasonal and outgrown clothing in the closets to make those look larger and neater. Remove the photos and assortment of magnets covering the refrigerator. Remove everything from the kitchen counters except the paper towels and appliances in daily use (ie: toaster, coffee pot). This is paramount to making your kitchen feel larger! And finally, ‘stuff’ is just ‘so much stuff’ to the buyer… thin it out and your house will feel much more open and inviting.  [Note: This one thing may make the difference in getting you a higher offer.]
• CLEAN, CLEAN, CLEAN.  More than ever, keep the kitchen and bathrooms spotless. People will look behind the shower curtain and open closets. If the cat’s litter box isn’t cleaned every day, they’ll notice it the minute they walk in… and they may just turn and walk right back out!
• And finally, DRESS FOR SUCCESS …your home, that is. While your home is on the market, you’ll need to leave it every morning looking as if you are expecting company. If you are lucky, it may get shown while you’re out. Keep in mind  –  you won’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

So are you feeling a little bit overwhelmed about now? Are you thinking this is going to be a lot of work?

Good. That means you are already a step ahead of your competition  – those other home sellers who just don’t get it. Selling a home is tough, but you have the advantage once you start looking at your house through the eyes of a buyer.

Last but not least, you need the help of a professional real estate consultant, not just another agent who sticks a sign on the lawn. Or, as we say in the business, practices the “Three P’s” – Place a sign, Post the listing, and Pray that it sells.

When you list your home with me, I’ll provide you facts and advice you can use. I’ll constantly review and keep you advised of market changes so that your listing stays IN the market, not just ON the market.  And when we find your buyer, I’ll negotiate on your behalf to get you the best price and terms. . . Then monitor your sale to handle any problems that arise, all the way to the closing table.

For add’l information about selling a home, please call me at 504-451-8343 for a private consultation. Or… send me an email and I’ll get back in touch with you –