Real Estate 101: Price, Location, Condition

Even if the house is listed at a great price...it is all about how the potential buyer "feels" in the home.

Clear Clutter

There are a few basics that we can all understand about selling a house.  Clutter doesn't make it sell.  The sellers don't see it as clutter...they see it as their beloved personal belongings.  We need to help them see that the potential buyer needs to see themselves in the house - and even if their own home is cluttered they'd like to believe that the new home won't be cluttered.  It is also an indicator that the home doesn't have enough storage - even if it does - the new buyer won't feel like it does...with a lot of choices...this can be a faint memory as the buyer says to their agent...NEXT!!!

I advise the sellers to go ahead and pack it up...the buyers expect to see boxes...not clutter.  Clear the clutter or hire someone who can! 

turn on the lights

Light is important in selling a home - not just that they are on...but that the fixtures are not out of date and the blinds/curtains/shades are open and letting in the light.  People don't like dark homes, they want them to be full of light.  Leave the lights on as often as possible...the huge difference in what you get for the house in comparison to the extra that you pay on the extra electricity bill is certainly worthwhile.  Additionally, you might know the light switch is behind the "thing"; on the other wall; or behind the door - but the buyer and the buyer's agent doesn't...the room that might make the difference...might not get the appreciation it deserves.

BTW, leave the a/c turned up or the heat on...nothing turns a buyer off more than when they are feeling uncomfortable temperature wise in a home. 

And yes, color is important - neutralize whenever possible.

 Before:                                                                                                                                                After:

color is importantneutral

 

Okay, and did I mention clean, clean, clean...nothing sells like clean.  You can sell almost any home with cleanliness...clean can be another word for SOLD in a challenging pre-owned home market.  I once listed a home that was so clean it looked brand new...the buyer ran a cleaning service and she said she purchased it because it was the cleanest home she had seen and she didn't want to deal with anyone else's grunge.  Do you? 

Would you buy a car with a carpet allowance?

Staging is very important to selling a home.  I recommend hiring a stager - it is like detailing for a car...but, even without a stager...these are soooooo basic...go back to basics.

Buyers have choices...you need to make the list.

 

 

7 Comments on "Why Isn't My House Selling"...Quick Fixes to Consider

SEP
12
2007
269,358 Points Outside Blog

Hi Yvette,

Great post and very important information for sellers and listing agents. Good Luck!!!!!!!!

Anthony

8:20am • #1
222,408 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog
You're absolutely right.  So many people fail to understand that they need to get themselves "out" of their home so that others can see themselves IN it.
8:21am • #2

Orange, pink and red kitchen and checkered floor, wow! What were they thinking in the first place. Must have been a special on paint.

I've seen some pretty different ones also. Sometimes it's hard to tell them without offending them.

8:47am • #3
The bigger problem is that most sellers, even after the list agent has made suggestions, do not follow through or try to do as little as possible. Maybe because they don't have the time, or maybe because they feel they have the best house on the market and don't need to.
9:05am • #4
296,713 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog
A lot of good suggestions and it looks like the cost would not break the bank.  I think "clean" is very important. 
9:25am • #5

Orange cabinets and red walls. What curious taste.  Thanks for your ideas.

Thanks for commenting on my post about Affirmations this morning.

5:05pm • #6

Hi Yvette

You're right, the days of selling anything with a roof & 4 walls are over. Sellers have to realize that they are competing for a buyers business

5:47pm • #7

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Yvette Chisholm

Bethesda, MD

More about me…

Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc.

Address: 402 King Farm Blvd #150, Rockville, MD, 20850

Office Phone: (301) 758-9500

Cell Phone: (301) 758-9500

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The real estate market, trends, the agents, what is hot and what is not - Rockville, Montgomery County, Maryland


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