REPEAT THIS PHRASE OFTEN: The home you are selling........
is NOT the same house you are currently living in. Selling a home can be a stressful undertaking. Sellers normally have a strong belief in how much their home is worth, but securing the right offer is not always easy. There are a number of things sellers can do to impress potential buyers and maximize the possibility of gaining the best deal. At Coldwell Banker United REALTORS, we have identified hundreds of tips that allow sellers to differentiate their home from others on the market by making it look its very best and presenting it as a desirable place to live. You've probably heard how important first impressions can be. But did you know that within 15 seconds, a potential buyer has already developed an opinion of your property? Establishing a good first impression is critical for a successful sale! My role as your REALTOR® is to help make sure that, together, we create a favorable first impression to help sell your home quickly. Here is just a sample of tips that will help you prepare your home to "WOW" potential buyers. CHECK YOUR "CURB APPEAL": The outside of your home is the first thing a potential buyer sees. This is your first chance to make that positive first impression. Walk across the street and take a good long look at everything from the base of the curb to the top of the highest tree in your hard and everything in between. What does it say to you? What do you think it says to potential buyers? If the "curb appeal" is strong, people will want to see what is inside. If it isn't, they might not even make the effort to see the inside. We don't want that to happen.
To improve a home's appearance, water and mow the lawn, trim the trees, cut back overgrowth and plant some colorful flowers. Clean your windows and screens, and free the yard of clutter. In addition, be sure the front door has a "welcome" feeling. A fresh coat of paint or stain on the front door works wonders for a good first impression! REMOVE THE CLUTTER & KEEP IT CLEAN: Virtually all homebuyers are on the lookout for one thing - a clean, spacious, well cared for home. Homebuyers tend to show less interest in an untidy home. A dirty or cluttered home will likely bring a negative impression and that will usually lead to a lower offer. Today's buyers have different focus points, but always remember that kitchens and bathrooms make a huge impression. Make certain they are sparkling clean, free of clutter, and in good condition. PACK IT UP: Consider rearranging furniture or perhaps storing some large items to open up space in your home. Buyers need to imagine themselves living in the home with THEIR furniture....not yours. By neatly displaying and making all available space accessible, you afford the buyer the opportunity to fully understand the potential of your home.. DON'T DISTRACT THE BUYER: Avoid displaying too many family collectibles, pictures or knick-knacks. You want the buyers to focus on the house....not on your vacation photos or your extensive collections of rare figurines. Don't strip your home clear of personal items; just keep them down to a minimum. You want the buyers to remember the features and benefits of your home....not the big unusual thing you have in the corner of your living room.
MAKE THOSE REPAIRS: Homebuyers will automatically expect all features in a home to operate safely and efficiently. If a buyer notices a number of problems, they WILL question whether the home has been cared for properly. Any faulty or outdated electrical outlets and wiring, furnaces, A/C and water heaters, along with leaking roofs and other plumbing concerns, should be repaired prior to putting a house on the market. Potential buyers may also react negatively to spot holes in window screens, broken windows and burned-out light bulbs. These things WILL come up in a home inspection, so you might as well just take care of them up front. WHAT'S THAT SMELL? Nothing turns off a potential buyer quicker than an unusual odor within the house. Ask a neighbor to come over and give you their opinion of how the home smells. Be certain to bathe pets, wash their bedding, clean the blinds/drapes, freshen up the carpet and mop the hard flooring surfaces. It is important to ensure that the home smells nicely. Fresh flowers and room fresheners also work wonders in creating a pleasant environment.
I can't stress this enough.....if you smoke....don't do it in the home! These are just a few tips designed to help you sell your home. As your REALTOR®, I will work with you to make sure EVERY aspect of your home is staged for success. This may include bringing in my personal stager - interior designer to help give us a professional third party opinion. Being objective about your own home is difficult, so utilize your Real Estate Professional and rely on their experience and knowledge to help identify potential "opportunity" areas or to suggest necessary improvements that appeal to potential buyers.
(C) 2007 Kevin Wilhelm - www.KevinSellsAustin.com
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