20
TIPS TO HELP YOU SELL YOUR HOME
1.
Make the most of that first impression.
When a potential buyer comes to look at your home, it is important
that they have the perception that your home is well taken care
of. A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter
free yard and entryway will give way to a great first impression.
So does a freshly painted-or at least freshly scrubbed front
door. If it is autumn make sure that you rake up the leaves
and branches. If it is winter, shovel the walkways and make
sure they are free of ice. Remember you only have one chance
to make a first impression, make it a good one.
2. What you show is what you get, invest a few hours for
future dividends.
Dirty or faded walls and worn woodwork will reduce the appeal
of your home. Invest some time and money in repainting and repairing
these problem areas. Why tell potential buyers how good your
home could look when they would rather see how good it actually
looks. A little bit of "elbow grease" can go a long
way. It will pay dividends for you.
3.
Let the sun shine in.
Open up your curtains and drapes so that the buyer can see how
bright and cheerful your home is. It will also give the appearance
that the rooms are larger than they are.
4.
Fix that leaky faucet, change that dead bulb.
Dripping water alerts the buyer that there may be a problem
with the plumbing and discolors porcelain making for a bad appearance.
Burnt out bulbs leave the buyer in the dark - literally - and
detract from the warmth and beauty of your home.
5.
Don't shut out a sale, little things mean a lot.
Make sure that cabinets or doors don't stick, or have loose
knobs on them. Make sure that your windows open up freely and
all locks are in working order. Don't try to explain away sticky
situations when you can easily alleviate the problem.
6.
Think safety first and always.
Keep all stairways and entrances clear and clean. Homeowners
learn to live with self-imposed booby traps such as skateboards,
extension cords, bunched up cloths or boxes, however you don't
want to detract your potential buyers attention to focusing
on dodging messes rather on the appeal of your homes charm.
7.
Make the most of the space you have.
Go through your attic, closets, storage spaces,or basement and
clean and organize them. Now would be a good time to get together
those items that would make for a great yard sale or donation
to your favorite charity. Remember a well maintained and organized
closet or storage space will give the appearance of a much larger
home not to mention buyers are looking for a home that will
have enough room for all their miscellaneous stuff they will
never use as well.
8.
Bathrooms sell homes, make them sparkle.
Scrub every inch of the bathroom. Check and repair ant damage
or discolored caulking in the bathtubs and showers. For added
allure, display your best towels, mats and curtains. A sparkling
bathroom will let the buyer know how well you have cared for
the home and will give a positive image when it comes to look
at the rest of the home.
9.
Bedrooms shouldn't sleep.
Wake up the buyers to the comforts of your bedrooms. Keep these
bright and cheerful. Colorful bedspreads and pillows are a must.
Fresh curtains and polished furniture add to the allure of the
room.
10.
Shine on and light up the night.
Turn on the excitement by turning on on all your lights - both
inside and out. Make sure that you use high wattage soft light
bulbs, this serves as a welcome sign to that prospective buyer
and adds warmth to your home.
11.
Avoid crowded scenes.
Don‚t have too many people present during the showing of
your home. It is best for you to make arrangements to be somewhere
else during the showing. It will help the potential buyer from
feeling like an intruder and forcing them to hurry through the
home.
12.
Don't pump up the volume.
When showing your home turn down the music or T.V. Low soothing
music will not distract the buyer and agent from talking freely
about the beauty of your home.
13. Keep Spot or Fluffy on a leash.
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when showing your
home. Animals can be a great distraction. Remember the buyer
is there to buy your home not meet your pets. Keep all pets
out of the way and secured.
14. Relax, silence is golden.
Be courteous and friendly, but don't try to force conversation
with the buyer. They are there to inspect the home and don't
want to be distracted in idle conversation.
15. Don't apologize.
Never apologize for the shortcomings of your home. If a buyers
offers a derogatory comment about your homes appearance, let
your experienced Real Estate Professional handle the situation.
The Real Estate Professional is trained to turn a negative situation
into a positive one.
16. Keep a low profile, stay in the background.
Your Real Estate Professional knows the buyers needs and desires
and can better emphasize the virtues of your home when you are
not "tagging along". If there are any
questions , the agent will refer them to you for discussion.
17. Don't turn your home into a Second-Hand Store.
When potential buyers come to view your home, don't distract
them with offers to sell them furnishings that you are not intending
on taking with you. You may lose the
biggest sale of all.
18.
A word to the wise, defer to experience.
When potential buyers want to talk price, terms, possession,
or other real estate matters, let the expert handle all these
negotiations. Your agent has been trained and their
experiences with these dealings will result in a much favorable
conclusion.
19. Be flexible.
Keeping your home spotless and being able to have your home
available on a moments notice can be very stressful. But those
homeowners who are flexible and are willing
to have their home shown at any time are usually the ones that
sell their home more quickly.
20. Help your agent help you.
It is important to show your home to prospective buyers only
by appointment through the real estate office. This allows the
agent to coordinate the showings and make inquires as to the
results of the showings, which in turn will result in a quicker
sale.
