Understand what it is that you're selling...
It's more than a house.

You're not selling a house - you're selling a home - your home. Far more than four walls, floors and a roof, a home is a personal shelter, a haven from the pressures of the outside world, and a warm, inviting setting for family living.  You have to let potential buyers know that this is, indeed, a home.

And just as retail stores market their merchandise, you have to display or market your home to its best advantage. 

It's Simple to Prepare

Make it look like it is untouched by human hands! Prepare as if a Very Important Person were coming to dinner. After all, the person who does decide to buy your home is very much a VIP! 

Preparing Your Home to Sell

Your home says a lot about you--so make sure it's looking its best. With a little effort your home can be sold quickly and profitably. Here are some helpful hints recommended by experienced REALTORSŪ to help you prepare your home to sell. This information is not all inclusive and does not replace the expertise provided by your REALTORŪ.

Is your home ready to show? Go through your home and check for yourself. No matter how lovely your home may be behind that front door, a buyer will be turned off by crumbling front steps, a doorbell that doesn't work, creaky hinges, or chipping paint.  

First Impressions Do Count

·  Talk to your REALTORŪ for advice and tips. ·  Make sure your front entrance is clean and inviting. ·  Paint or replace your front door if it shows signs of wear. ·  Consider hiring a professional cleaning service to make your house gleam. ·  Purchase a new, homey Welcome mat for your front entry.

Decorate for a Quick Sale

·  Replace or remove faded wallpaper. ·  Repair worn woodwork. ·  Flashy or distracting colors will turn off buyers. Painting walls in a neutral color lets buyers concentrate on the positive.

Let the Sun Shine In

·  Open draperies, curtains and blinds so that the prospective buyer can see how cheerful your home can be.  ·  Turn on all lights for showings, even if the sun is shining brightly.

Simple Repairs Can Make a Difference

·  Repair loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers, broken light switches and other minor flaws.  ·  Check the plumbing to make sure everything is working correctly. ·  See my note about getting a pre-marketing home inspection to detect any problems.  ·  Obvious needed repairs detract from the value of the home. Remember, when prospective buyers see things that need attention, they begin to worry about what they can't see.

Organize From Top to Bottom

·  Remove all unnecessary articles from your attic, basement and closets. Spacious rooms, particularly storage areas, are a great selling feature. ·  Consider having a garage sale to dispose of unwanted items. ·  Investigate the possibility of placing some items in storage. ·  If there's something you know you don't want to move with you, then throw it away!

Safety First

·  Keep stairways clear and avoid a cluttered appearance. ·  Make sure loose rugs are secured. ·  Reglue or cement loose tiles or linoleum. ·  Don't overload wall plugs.

Make Your Home Sparkle

·  Keep your windows clean. ·  Steam clean your carpets. ·  Refinish wood floors and shine the linoleum and tile. ·  Make sure those kitchen counters are spotless and put away those small appliances. ·  Empty the ashtrays and throw out the trash. It's important to give a good impression about how you have maintained your home. ·  Put an inviting aroma - potpourri in bowls is popular - in your home to replace or mask odors.

Great Bathrooms Help Sell Homes

·  Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. ·  Remove soap scum and hard water stains. ·  Display fresh, clean towels and make the room attractive. ·  Spray a light fragrance  or display potpourri to make the room pleasant smelling.

Arrange Bedrooms Neatly

·  Remove excess furniture. ·  Make your bed each and every morning. ·  Use attractive bedspreads and linens. ·  Make sure curtains are freshly laundered. ·  Consider using extra pillows (shams) for that model home look.

Don't Cause Controversy

·  Remove any signs or posters that might be controversial or offensive to your prospects. ·  Talk to your "radical" teens about storing away those "special" tee-shirts!

 

Drama!

·  Make the exterior and every  room in your home special, inviting, and memorable. ·  Look in home  magazines and catalogs for ideas. ·  Remember the details!  Think of placing such things as stylish wall hangings or draperies and adding strategically placed collectibles.

You're Ready for showings. What's next?

So your house is ready to sell. Great! Here are some tried and true "rules" that will help you show your home easily and effectively:

Rule #1:     Three's a Crowd. Try not to be present during showings. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house. Also, your REALTORŪ knows the buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don't tag along.

Rule #2:     Keep the Music Down. Consider playing light classical, soft rock, or easy listening music, but keep the volume down low so the REALTORŪ and buyer can talk freely without any disturbances.

Rule #3:     No Pets Allowed. Keep cats, dogs, litter boxes and feeding dishes out of the way--preferably out of the house. Make sure your pets are groomed and their areas are clean.

Rule #4:     Create a homey Atmosphere. Bake cookies or bread or use a vanilla air freshener (lightly!) on the day of the showing. The aroma will make the potential buyer feel welcome.

Rule #5:     No Apologies. If you are present at the showing, never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the REALTORŪ answer any objections--it's his job.

Rule #6:     Silence is golden. Let the REALTORŪ discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the prospective buyers. Your REALTORŪ is qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion. Please don't try to give helpful information.

Rule #7:     A Little Money Goes a Long Way. Your cooperation in cosmetic repairs will increase everyone's interest level and enthusiasm and you'll help close the sale more

OTHER STUFF ....

       Put a bright coat of paint on your mailbox.

       Put your kitchen appliances IN the cupboards, not ON them.

       Be sure your curtains and bedspreads are bright, pretty and clean.

       If you can do so safely, put higher watt bulbs in lamps and light fixtures.

       Be sure all sliding doors open and close easily.

       Have pretty containers of bright, cheerful flowers  or lush green plants at your front door.

       Manicure your lawn, gardens, and shrubbery.

       Even in the middle of the sunniest day - Turn on lights in the house!

       If your furniture fills the room, put some in storage so that rooms look more spacious. Take the leaves out of the kitchen table if the area is small. Reposition furniture to make the room look as large as possible.

       If you have dark corners, buy a lamp and brighten those corners.

One of the ways I can assist you is to suggest you get a pre-marketing inspection. Although the buyer usually pays to have this service, it can be a tremendous advantage for you to know in advance where the potential deal-breakers are. The inspection can reveal needed repairs and defects. Either way, it puts you in a position of strength. 

One more thing that you may find helpful. There are several programs on the home improvement channels that have information about organizing a disorganized space or preparing a home for sale on a budget. Check your local listings.

THE CONCEPT IS SIMPLE! Make it look like your home is a candidate for "House Beautiful" magazine. Make it look like it's untouched by human hands. Make it look like the house that YOU would want to buy!  

 

This page last updated on 3/2009