PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR SALE

The first 8 seconds are the most critical for home buyers. In those few seconds between pulling up in front of a house (or apt building) and going through the front door, a buyer will make a decision whether or not the home has potential.

SELLERS BEWARE! Here are 5 essentials in preparing your home for sale:

THE FIRST 8 SECONDS – A buyer scrutinizes the home’s setting, the entrance, and interior entry hall. Make sure the yard is manicured (or make certain your building’s management maintains the entrance). A fresh coat of paint on the front door (I like red), place a container with an evergreen or colorful flowers on each side, and illumination like a lamp post or wall sconce are welcoming essentials. Te entry hall should be clutter free and inviting with a mirror to enlarge the space and add sparkle, and a table to set down keys and packages.  
HIRE A HOME STAGER – Staging a home is one of the most important marketing techniques in home sales. The goal is to create a neutral setting where buyers feel at home and can visualize themselves and their family living there. Removing family photos, eliminating clutter, toning down extreme paint colors, and suggesting needed repairs are some of the services provided. Home Staging is a worthwhile investment, and will improve the bottom line. 


GET AN INSPECTION – The usual procedure is to perform an inspection after a sales price is agreed upon by buyer and seller, paid for by the buyer. BIG MISTAKE! The results of an inspection ultimately gives the buyer ammunition to renegotiate the price to cover repairs. I always advise sellers to invest in an inspection, and take care of needed repairs in advance. It ultimately saves the seller time, money, and aggravation.

ENLIST THE HELP OF A GREAT REALTOR – A reputable Real Estate Agent will list the home on multiple web sites, and will upload a minimum of 8 good quality pictures and virtual tour (video) for high end listings. He or she will guide a seller through the process of listing, contract signing, and closing.

REDUCE YOUR PRICE – If there’s no offer after 8 showings, a price adjustment is needed. Make certain to lower the asking price to the next price point range. Buyers look for homes in ranges ($300K-$400K, $400K-$600K, $600K-$800K, $800K-$999K etc.) If, for example, a home is initially listed at $950K, it must be reduced under$800K. Otherwise, a new buyer pool will be missed, and the same buyers that passed up the home the first time around will be viewing it again.

Unless you present your home as the best product, you’ve just sold the competition.