Selling your home is just like selling anything else. You need to highlight its strengths. Focus on its features. Bring out its best. Here's a list of places to start.
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Make a lasting impression: Curb appeal is vital. Make sure your lawn is neatly trimmed. Rake up any refuse or leaves. Sweep (or shovel) the walk. The front door should be clean and presentable. If the doorbell's not working, fix it.
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Don't hesitate to decorate: Faded walls and worn woodwork won't help sell your home. A small investment in paint or wallpaper will.
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Let the sun shine in: Open the drapes and curtains. Clean the windows. Turn on the lights. Home buyers are drawn to bright, cheery interiors.
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Call the plumber: Dripping water suggests worn-out plumbing. Clean those rust-stained sinks. And make sure the drains are running free and clear.
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The devil's in the details: Loose door knobs. Sticking drawers. Wobbly hinges. Stuck windows. They can all cost you a sale. Fix them, and they can help make the sale.
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Safety sells: Keep stairways and corridors clean and free of clutter. Cluttered areas are not only unattractive, they're dangerous.
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Sell the whole house: Let prospects see the big picture. Make sure the attic is presentable, the garage is neat and the basement is organized. Give your storage space a clean coat of paint.
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Buyers love big closets: And they look even bigger when they're clean, neat and well organized. Get rid of piles of clothes, old cartons and other clutter.
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Bathrooms are big sellers: Make bathrooms sparkle. Clean sinks and bowls. Recaulk where needed. Make sure towels and rugs are freshly washed.
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Wake up your bedrooms: Remove excess furniture. Use attractive, colorful bed linens and spreads. Open the drapes and let the light in. Remember: this is where your buyers will spend one third of their lives.
Show and sell.
It's showtime! Here are ten suggestions to help you make the most of showing your home.
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Lighten up: Home buyers love light. By day, let the sun shine in. By night, turn on all your lights - inside and out. Don't forget accent and picture lights.
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Avoid crowds: Home buyers hate crowds. When your agent shows your home, send the kids to the neighbors and take a long walk.
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Silence is golden: When your house is being shown, turn off the radio, television, stereo or any other noise-producers. It will make your agent's job easier.
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Keep pets out of sight : Make your pets inconspicuous when your home is being shown. Your prospect may have different tastes in animals than you.
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Stay in the background: Don't try to engage your prospects in conversation. Let your realtor do his or her job. Let your buyers inspect without interruption.
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Be prepared: You never know when your agent may need to show your home on a moment's notice. So make your beds and tidy up each morning, just in case.
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No apologies necessary: Nobody's perfect. There's no need to apologize for the appearance of your house. Let your agent field any negative comments.
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Sell the house and only the house.: Don't try to sell your prospects old furniture, appliances, or anything other than the house. Wait 'til after the sale.
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Leave it to the professionals: Let your agent discuss the selling price, terms, possession dates and other such details. They've been carefully trained to negotiate on your behalf.
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Show by appointment only: Your Tarvin agent can schedule all showings - including those from other real estate offices. All you need to do is make sure your home is ready to show.
To start the process of selling your home, request a free, no-obligation Comparative Market Analysis by clicking here. To get in touch with a Tarvin professional, click here.
