Hi all! Iwas interviewed by First Thirty Days at first30days.com after the editor read 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought. In my interview, I discussed using a home stager so that the first 30 days as a home seller would go more smoothly. The First Thirty Days mission is to inspire others to find the positive in any change . They want to be the first place you think of in times of change, a place full of optimism and a place where you feel informed and inspired.

Luke Kozikowski, the interviewer, had this to say:

When it comes to getting your home ready to sell, you want the advice of Teri B. Clark. The writer has become quite a specialist on the home selling front—her book, 301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought has helped many sellers through a tough market, and the book was recently awarded the Eric Hoffer Award, given to excellent titles from independent publishers. Here, Clark tells us the common pitfalls home sellers encounter, and how you can come out on top.

You can view my interview here.

301 Simple Things You Can Do To Sell Your Home NOW and For More Money Than You Thought by Teri B Clark is a First Runner Up in the 2008 Eric Hoffer Award.

“We are very excited about using our international award program to honor the memory one of America’s greatest freethinkers,” said Christopher Klim, the managing editor of Best New Writing, which publishes the results of the Eric Hoffer Award for books and
prose. “This year’s Hoffer winners bring us to a new height.”

The Eric Hoffer Award for short prose and books was established at the start of the 21st century as a means of opening a door to writing of significant merit. It honors the memory of the great American philosopher Eric Hoffer by highlighting salient writing.

The Hoffer Award exists as a platform to honor independent books of exceptional merit. Since its inception as the Writers' Notes Award, the Hoffer Award has grown in prominence each year. Multiple books in many categories and various press types are given prizes, "Hoffer" honors, and worldwide media exposure.

Category distinctions were awarded on three levels in descending order: Winner, First Runner-Up, and Notables. The Eric Hoffer Book Award grants a $1,500 annual grand prize and separate distinctions for the best academic, small, and micro press, the best self-published book, and various winners in 14 categories that cover the entire publishing spectrum. Also, the Montaigne Medal is awarded to the most though-provoking books.

Have you looked in the yellow pages lately and noticed some of the headings? So many are now obsolete or totally behind the times. How many people do you know look up film anymore? In NC, we can't find organic foods using listing headers or carpooling despite the need for them. Canada has changed all of that and has updated their headings. The one I found most pleasing was the new heading "Home Staging." Anyone in Canada seen this yet? Does this listing exist in the US anywhere? Certainly not here!

I read about a real estate firm that sells new homes. They have them staged and sell them faster. The new twist, however, is that if the new buyer has a home to sell before they can buy, the agent of the new home will pay to have their home staged with the company they use! This helps them move people into their new homes faster. I like the idea. What do you think stagers and agents?

 

My book, Private Mortgage Investing, won runner-up in the finance category of Foreword Magazines Book of the Year Awards. This is quite prestigious and I'm really excited. If you want to invest in real estate or help those that do, private mortgage investing is worth checking out. Of course, my book is worth it too! Can you tell I am jazzed?

Additional Information (June 24th): Some of you have stated you'd like to buy the book and I really appreciate that! If you would please buy it by clicking the link above, that would be great. If I don't sell it through my affiliate link, I do not make a commission. I've learned a lot writing my first 2 books - mainly that I need a better publisher! Thanks again for all your support! 

I've been working with Eric Carlsen and his company is offering the following. If you sell luxury homes, you ought to check it out!

 

I'm curious to know what you did before you got started in the staging business.

1. Interior Designer

2. Artist

3. Real Estate Agent

4. Home Remodeler

5. Professional Cleaner/Organizer

6. Mom

7. Other  (If other, tell me what other, ok?)

And what made you decide to stage instead of what you had been doing before? Inquiring minds want to know.

Article writing is great marketing tool that can establish you as an expert in your field. An article written by you is more meaningful and holds more credence than placing an advertisement.

Deciding what to write about is as easy as thinking about your last job. What questions did your client ask you? Whatever they asked is something they were thinking about right then. It is a timely topic.

Check with your local papers and free magazines. They look for content. There are also  online sources that are constantly seeking new material.

Here are  article sites your can check out.

  www.goarticles.com

 www.articledashboard.com 

 www.ideamarketers.com 

 www.reprintarticles.com

 www.ezinearticles.com

 www.easyarticles.com

  www.articleblast.com

 

 

 

I love research and finding the best place for stats for my area. As I look, I always find great stat sources for other locations. Here is a good one for Minneapolis:

http://www.mplsrealtor.com/Segments/Realtors/Research.htm

This has weekly and monthly stats, consumer research, market reports, and yearly outlook. It also allows you to compare 100 different communities within the Minneapolis market. 

With over 80% of buyers looking on the Internet to determine what house they want to see in person, using the Internet is a MUST!  In addition to having a listed home on your company's site, you might also list the home on:

•  A listing specific site (www.123anystreet.com)
• On Trulia Real Estate Search
• Realtor.com if you are a member
• MLS
• Zillow.com

Anybody use these or others? Please share your experiences! Oh, and remember: If you are going to list a home online, have it staged first! Great photos are the number one reason an Internet home buyer continues to look at the rest of the information concerning the home.