10 Ways to Make Your House More Salable = More $$
- Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.
- Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.
- Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.
- Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.
- Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.
- Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.
- Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.
- Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.
- Clean your gutters.
- Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.
11 SELLER MISTAKES TO AVOID?
Don’t put your home on the market until you’ve read this letter! Please avoid these eleven mistakes that could cost you hundreds, even thousands, of dollars!
Selling your home can be an exhausting experience. Last minute walk throughs, inconvenient calls, price adjustments, and the possibility of being stuck with two mortgages are all real concerns. If you are not completely prepared, you could end up losing hundreds of dollars in profit or equity.
The difference between a profitable, smooth transaction and a miserable experience is often a fine line. In a majority of cases, it comes down to the subtle “know how” of your real estate professional. By utilizing the knowledge of a qualified real estate professional, you’ll insure the quick, profitable sale of your home.
1. Refusing to Make Profit Inducing Repairs – It always costs you more money to sell “as is” than to make repairs which will increase the value of your home. Often even minor improvements will yield as much as three to five times the repair cost at the time of sale. Your agent will be able to point out what repairs will significantly increase the value of your home. Seemingly small fix up jobs can have quite an impact.
2. Not Considering Other Financing Terms – Cash is always the most advantageous transaction. Income level, tax benefits, and current legislation are all critical factors when considering purchase terms. Professional real estate agents are experts at home transactions and can lead you down the path to give you the highest yield.
3. Provide Easy Access for Showings – Accessibility is a major key to profitability. Appointment only showings are the most restrictive, while a lockbox is the least; however, there are certain considerations to take into account like your lifestyle, time frame for the desired sale, and the relationship with your agent. The more accessible your home, the better the odds of finding a person willing to pay your asking price. You never know if the one who couldn’t get a viewing was the one that got away.
By developing a trusting relationship with your agent, he or she will show the home with your best interests and security in mind.
4. Priced Too Low/Priced Too High – One critical reason to find the right professional is to make sure the property is priced appropriately for a timely and profitable sale. If the property is priced too high, it will sit and develop the identity of a problem property. If it’s priced too low, it could cost you considerable profits. The real estate market has subtle nuances and market changes that should be evaluated by your agent every 10-14 days to help you maximize your return.
5. Relying Solely on Traditional Methods To Sell Your Home – The agent, who is innovative and willing to offer new strategies of attracting homebuyers, will always outperform agents who rely on traditional methods. Demand around the clock advertising exposure, innovative lead generation methods, lead accountability, search engine strategies, and cutting edge web strategies. These services exist and should be offered on your home sale.
6. Market Timing/Seasonal Selling – Just as a broker who continually follows the trends of a stock, your professional agent continually follows trends of your home market. They will know if the market cycle is poised to net you the most money. Disregard believing property sales are seasonal . . . sells better in spring than winter . . . property is always selling.
7. Refusing to Make Cosmetic Changes – The prospective homebuyer’s first impression is the most important. An unbelievable amount of home sales have been lost to unkept lawns, cluttered rooms, bad stains, unpleasant odors . . . all the seemingly little things. Imagine you were the homebuyer and cleaned your placed from top to bottom . . . military style.
8. Wasting Time With An Unqualified Prospect – Your agent’s responsibility is to screen a prospect’s qualification before valuable time is lost. Be sure to align yourself with the right professional and eliminate negotiating with unqualified prospects.
9. Don’t Test The Market – Never put your property online to sell unless you are serious. The right professional will find you buyers. If you are harboring indecision, you will slow the sale.
10. Believing You Are Powerless to Make a Difference – Be part of the team! Take an active role with your agent to see what you can do to facilitate your sale. Networking with professional peers and personal friends often results in the sale of a home. It’s surprising how many homes are sold this way.
11. Believing All Realtors® are the Same – With all the intricate details and critical decisions to be made concerning your home sale, should you rely on anyone but a top producing professional? Many friends and family members have been estranged from a real estate agent relative as a result of failing to meet expectations. Your home sale is a time-consuming, effort related, difficult task. Maximize your profit by utilizing a professional.
We trust these tips and ideas are of value to you. Being number one in this area is not a matter of ego – it is a result of meeting and exceeding my client’s expectations. We would consider it a privilege to be of service to you! For your FREE consultation, call me at 352-572-1739 or email me at info@homesforsaleocalamarion.com