Changes in the Market Conditions in Central Oregon Have Created Challenges and Competition for Sellers.

Currently most of Central Oregon has an abundance of inventory (homes for sale), thus creating the need for sellers to consider more than how much money you may want for your home or how much your neighbors may have sold their home for, even a short time ago.

Selecting an experienced, motivated, honest and trustworthy REALTOR® should be your first step in the process of selling your property. He or she should be familiar with your neighborhood and surrounding area and be able to easily identify the differences that separate your property from the competition (like properties for sale in your area).

Conversation With Your Real Estate Professional

Prior to listing your home, your REALTOR® should complete a walk through inspection of your home and acquaint him or herself with the features and amenities of your property.

The conversation that occurs following this inspection will be the one that separates the amateurs from the pros and help you better define the intentions of the Realtor®. Now, some REALTORS® will make no suggestions, while others may reserve themselves to the obvious "keep the house clean and the yard mowed" suggestions.

What you're really looking for is someone, who although concerned about the possibility of insulting you, will provide an honest and accurate evaluation of every item of concern regarding the showing of your property. Occasionally it may require addressing items of a personal nature and can feel uncomfortable and awkward for everyone involved. Although most REALTORS® will be happy to list and sell your property few are anxious to provide the criticism and suggestions that will not only improve the number of showings you receive but expedite the actual time that your property is on the market.

Many buyers will, even before seeing the inside of your home, make their buying decision based upon the curb appeal of your property. Since most sellers are reluctant or unwilling to make substantial investments into improving the property for sale, I have reserved my suggestions to inexpensive, cost effective things that every seller can easily do.

Curb Appeal Tips

To improve the curb appeal of any property, power-washing and touching up the exterior paint and trim is an easy way to freshen up the overall appearance of the house. Don't forget to include any fencing in this process. Flowers or other plants along the walk way and around the front door draws the buyers attention to the entrance and provides a welcoming feeling. A fresh coat of high gloss paint, in a contrasting yet complimentary color, and new hardware on the front door is a good recommendation that always leaves a good first impression.

Oh That Smell

Once inside the house, buyers derive their first impressions from the smell and odors coming from the house itself. Tobacco, pets, cooking, the cleaning products we use, normal dust and dirt etc... All create odors that permeate the inner surfaces in our homes. If it's not already a policy in your home, smoking needs to become an out door event or confined to a garage at the very least. To maintain pet odors to a minimum, pets should be bathed and groomed regularly; their beds and areas of the home they occupy should likewise receive extra attention.

Paint is one of the most cost effective improvements that yield the highest returns on the actual investment. Now while I wouldn't encourage every seller to paint the interior of their home, there certainly are a few that would greatly benefit. Homes suffering from obnoxious odors will effectively eliminate many of the odors with the application of a fresh coat of paint. Adding vanilla to the paint won't affect the color and will enhance the odor removing effect and will provide "scent" for several months. Painting high traffic areas, doors, moldings and trims in a semi-gloss or gloss paint will make the entire house feel and look clean. At the very least most sellers would benefit from washing the walls and trim, I have personally found that a Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser does a great job of removing stubborn marks and stains from paint, moldings and other household surfaces. Paint color selection should be reserved to neutral colors. Dark colors tend to be distracting, can make a room appear smaller then it is and may not compliment the furnishings of potential buyers.

The Wall Paper Has To Go

Wall paper and other items that date the property should be removed or replaced. Although a little tedious and time consuming to do, removing wall paper is not difficult. Utilizing a warm solution of water and liquid fabric softener will loosen the paste and ease the process, and for difficult or stubborn areas that don't easily come loose, steam from a clothes iron will often do the job.

Size Does Matter

Regardless of the type or size of the home to be sold, buyers always consider the floor space, functionality and livability of the home. As such every possible effort should be made to giving the perception of space, space and more space. Oversized and excessive furniture should be removed. The furniture in every room needs to be organized in a manner that allows for functionality without obstructing the flow of traffic. If at all avoidable, don't place furniture in front of windows or otherwise obstruct the buyer's ability to look out. Clean the windows, window tracks and surrounding area. Remove or replace dark or heavy curtains and remove any sheer coverings or blinds that may obstruct the buyers view. And don't forget to clean the tracks of any sliding glass or french doors. Natural light is always the best light source and you want to include as much of it as possible and when it's not available (after the sun sets) you'll want to turn on all indoor and outdoor lights while showing the property.

Tips To Bring The Sale Home

While preparing your home for sale remember that less is more, less of you and more of whomever. You will know that you have successfully completed your task when your house no longer feels like your home. It is your job as the seller to make an environment that will enable the majority of people viewing your house the ability to envision themselves living there. To accommodate that you will need to remove your pictures, trinkets, nick-knacks, memorabilia and any items that might embarrass you if your Grandmother were to walk through the door.

You can maximize any space by minimizing the number of items which are utilizing the space to be shown. Organize shelves, closets and built-ins and remove any unused or excessive items. Although buyers don't intend to be nosey they will look in and through anything that is attached to the house. Medicine cabinets should be void of prescribed medications and other personal items, jewelry boxes and any other items of significant or sentimental value should be removed.

Nothing instills the sense of "home" upon potential buyers like the smell of fresh baked cookies and few things could be easier to make. The smell of baking bread or dinner in a crock pot will likewise lure guest and see your house not just as another house but a home. In the absence of the real thing scented candles mimicking the smell of home cooking are a good second alternative.

While showing the property pets should be confined or removed from the property. Although to us they are adopted sons or daughters who have short hair, walk on four legs and don't speak clearly, to some buyers they are the very things that nightmares are made of and the last thing that you want to do is scare potential buyers away.

So at the risk of insulting and possibly offending some of my readers I offer the following advice. The REALTOR® you hire is not your mother, although their input may occasionally sound as such, So prevent that from happening you need to put your own dishes in the dish washer, pick your dirty clothes up off of the floor and put the damn toilet seat and lid down when your done using the toilet.

Central Oregon Real Estate Information

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Thesa Chambers • Broker • RE/MAX Sunset Realty

541-771-7064 Cell • 541-536-0117 Office • 888-868-2050 Toll Free

Mailing Address • PO Box 3510, La Pine, OR 97739