PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR A SELL

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Unfortunately, very few homes are already picture perfect when the owners make the decision to sell. Most homes require anywhere from minor repairs to major renovations. How little or how much work you want to do is entirely up to you, but remember, the more attractive the house is, the more appealing it will be to prospective buyers.

So let's get to work and start with first things first.

Introduction

First impressions are extremely powerful. Potential buyers make an emotional connection two times for every home they view. The first time is from the street or curb, and the second is when they step over the threshold.

Sometimes houses do grow on buyers, but most often the first impression is the one carried away when the potential buyers exit the property. Buyers may have looked at five or more homes on the same day they see yours. The house that looks the most spacious, has the most curb appeal, and is the most cheerful will be remembered. So will the house with the cramped bedrooms, cluttered closets and Christmas lights in May!

According to Real Estate agents, there are two main reasons a house sits on the market unsold. The first is price. Over priced homes simply do not sell. Trust the professional expertise of your Real Estate agent to set the best selling price.

The second reason a house flounders on the market is the condition and appearance of the house. You may feel confident that your house will sell because it's yours own, but sometimes it is very hard to look at your own home objectively. It is very important to be aware that prospective buyers don't share your same nostalgia; instead they see what is clearly visible.

You must make it obvious to prospective buyers from the instant they lay eyes on your home that is has charm, comfort, solid built construction and attractiveness. Don't rely on the buyers to use their imagination or see your home's potential!

Inside this write-up are successful strategies for selling your home. There are check lists for every area of your home starting from the curb and into the basement. There is also a tip sheet for adding special touches.

Finally, there is a special "Buyers are on the Way" last minute checklist. This is a helpful list of those last minute details that should be done just before the door bell rings.

Ready to Sell

When you're ready to think about selling your property, you need to ask yourself the following questions: Do you have the time, energy, sources of information, and contacts to do the job yourself? If you were one of the 'do-it-yourself' people, were the results good or better than they would have been if you had professional assistance? Would it have gone smoother? Would it have given you more personal time? Would you have sold for more if a REALTOR^® was involved?

Read the following information and learn how a REALTOR^® can help you understand everything you need to know about a Real Estate transaction.

PRICING:

This process generally begins with a determination of a reasonable asking price. Your REALTOR^® can give you up-to-date information on what is happening in the marketplace in regard to comparable prices, terms, and condition of competing properties. These are key factors in getting your property sold for the best price and least amount of hassle for you as the seller.

MARKETING:

The next step is a marketing plan. Often, your REALTOR^® can recommend repairs or cosmetic work that will significantly enhance the saleability of the property. Marketing includes the exposure of your property to other Realtors and the public. In many markets over 50% of Real Estate sales are cooperative sales; that is, a REALTOR^® other than your's brings in the buyer. Your agent acts as the marketing coordinator, disbursing information about your property to other Realtor through a Multiple Listing Service or other cooperative marketing networks, open houses for agents, etc.

Advertising is part of marketing. The choice of media and frequency of advertising depends a lot on the property and specific market. For example, in some areas, newspaper advertising generates phone calls to the Real Estate office but statistically has minimum effectiveness in selling a specific property. Overexposure of a property in any media may give a buyer the impression the property is distressed or the seller is desperate. Your REALTOR^® will know when, where and how to advertise your property.

There is a misconception that advertising sells Real Estate. The National Association of Realtors studies show that 82% of Real Estate sales are the result of agent contacts through previous clients, referrals, friends and family, and personal contacts.

SECURITY:

When the property is marketed by a REALTOR^® help, you do not have to allow strangers into your home. Realtors will generally pre-screen and accompany qualified prospects through your property.

USING A REALTOR^®:

You Be the Judge. Real Estate transactions involve one of the biggest financial investments most people experience in their lifetime. Transactions today often exceed several hundred thousand dollars. If you had a $200,000 income tax problem, would you attempt to deal with it without the help of a CPA? If you had a $200,000 legal question, would you deal with it without the help of an attorney?

Considering the small upside cost and the large downside risk, why consider a deal in Real Estate without the professional assistance of a REALTOR^®?