1. Great Curb Appeal - If the seller doesn’t like the outside, they may never get in to see the inside. Experts say that most buyers make their decision at first sight. Always provide inside pictures and any additional "interesting" photos that differentiates your home or unique charteristics of your home (i.e. hardwood floors, ceramic tile, customized tile in the bathroom, your tennis court...) Don't forget the basement, even if it's finished or not.
2. Flexible Showing Access
a. Use a Lockbox
b. Try to not put any restrictions on showings
c. Sometimes showings are last minute. Try to keep home ready to show.
3. Making the Home “Showable”
a. Keep it Clutter Free and Clean. It doesn't have to be perfect. Just get into a daily routine of straightening up. Your Realtor would rather have you show it, than to wait until it's perfect. You may never get that buyer to walk through again. They will move on to the next home.
b. Make sure that everything is in working order. Buyers love to point out cracks, missing pieces, broken tiles, stains in carpet. Try to give them only the good things to point out. They will wonder what hidden items are badly taken care of if you allow the most visual items to be seen damaged.
c. Provide Pleasant Odors. Don’t overdo it. People will wonder what you are trying to hide. Have someone else come through your home and ask them what do they smell... your cat, your last night's dinner, the full garbage can, nothing?
d. Present Neutral Colors. You may need to consider a fresh coat of paint. This will make everything appear new and clean. Buyers also tend to frown upon too much wallpaper. Not a task they want to take on right away. Usually all they see is, "oh no, I'm going to have to pull down ALL of that wallpaper!"
e. Pay Attention to Detail.
f. Clean off kitchen counters. Keep only what’s necessary. The kitchen and the bathroom are key rooms that people will be looking at. Impress them! What is your first impression when you walk into a room? Why do you want them to notice your "stuff" instead of the details and space of the home?
g. Closets, cupboards and even your refrigerator may be opened. Try to keep them clean, organized and smelling clean.
**Ask someone to walk through your home as a potential buyer and look at your home with “buyer’s eyes”. What do they see as a detriment? What can be made more appealing? What needs to be cleaned? What needs to be repaired? What smells? Is it too dark?
4. Price Home Near Fair Market Value - You will want to have a good price on your home when it is “fresh” on the market. This is when the most people will be looking at your home as a prospect. If your home is priced too high for the area, they will never come to see it; even if you have the nicest home on the block. Price is one of the first search criteria buyer's use to find a home. And, everyone is looking for a deal!
5. Offer Incentives (What differentiates your home? What will draw buyers to your home? You can also put an expiration on an incentive to create a sense of urgency.)
a. Home Warranty
b. Seller Concessions
c. Pre-Inspection
d. Lawn Cutting Service
e. Cleaning Service
f. Special Price for a Limited Time (One Day Only?) and then Price Goes Back
Keeping a home “showable” is a lot of work. Hopefully your home will only be for sale for a short period. Anything you do to make your home more marketable will be worth it. Remember to highlight key areas of your home that makes it unique. Listen to your Realtor. He/She does this on a daily basis. You may have fresh ideas to share, but listen to theirs as well. Selling a home should be a "team effort"!
PROPERLY PRICING YOUR HOME
Setting the proper asking price for your home is one of the main factors involved in your home’s sale. (Location, Price, Condition)
If you price your home too low, you will literally give away thousands of dollars that could have been in your pocket.
Price your home too high, and your home may sit unsold for months. A home on the market too long will emit to potential buyers that there must be something wrong with your home.
• What you paid for your property does not affect its value
• An appraisal does not always indicate what your property is worth
• The SEV (State Equalized Value) does not always determine a home’s price
Your home’s sale price is determined by recent sales (usually within 6 months) in your area and what buyers are willing to pay for your home. Buyers determine value.
You house can be listed at any price. If you want to sell it, it needs to be at a price that will sell. Remember the old adage, your home is only worth what someone will pay!
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