Selling Your Home in Nutley, Bloomfield, Clifton or Belleville NJ

Are You Planning on Selling Your Home in Nutley, Bloomfield, Clifton or Belleville NJ

What does it take to sell a home in a competitive market - a fresh coat of paint or a kitchen overhaul?  Lowering the asking price or offering incentives?  From cosmetic to strategic, smart sellers can take advantage of a few simple tips to get the most out of their properties.  Here are five suggestions from the professionals at Coldwell Banker  on how to help secure a "sold" sign:

• Price Point is Paramount When getting ready to put a home on the market, determining the right listing price is the number one most important element in the home selling process.  After you have carefully chosen an agent, the trust you have established will come into play immediately.  Have those tough discussions with your agent about where to price your home.  Make certain you understand how the agent has arrived at the price, including how previous sales and current homes on the market make an impact.  If necessary, jump in the car with your agent and see some of the homes on the market in the area.  This will provide first hand knowledge on homes that are available in your neighborhood.

• Appeal to Your Audience Work with your agent to determine how to get your home to stand out.  Providing incentives is a great way to draw in potential home buyers, and monetary bonuses don't just have to come from negotiation of the listing price.  Sellers can also choose to contribute to closing costs, or conduct pre-home inspections, which can comfort potential home buyers in knowing that the property is in top shape.

• Leave a Great First Impression Everyone talks about curb appeal, but a first impression is truly lasting.  A Coldwell Banker Real Estate survey found that 70 percent of women and 62 percent of men knew the property was "right" the first day they visited the home.  Remember, your agent is your trusted advisor.  They will know the necessary updates, upkeep, etc. you should make to hopefully get the home ready for showings.  But some of this is fairly easy and the front door is particularly important.  This is the area where a buyer will first step up to a home - and likely wait for a moment providing time to look around.  Do this ahead of time, stand directly in the front door and look up and around at the home from all angles - cobwebs that have not been noticed in years could be the first thing greeting a potential home buyer, so it's important for this area to give a great first impression.

• Everything is in the Visual Don't underestimate the power of visuals in marketing your home.  The National Association of Realtors found that, more than 90 percent of home buyers begin their search online.  Your agent may push hard for you to have the home prepared for vivid pictures and video of the property that can be posted on websites such as Coldwell Banker On Location

• Hit the Right Note with all Five Senses When a buyer comes to look at a home they want the full experience.  To help a home stand out, your agent may ask you to focus on appealing to all five senses.  Small and inexpensive upgrades to the home such as getting the walls painted, de-cluttering and making minor improvements to the outdoor landscape.  In terms of "touch," remember that buyers aren't just going to look - they'll be turning on your faucets and opening closets, so make sure closets are clean and organized.  When it comes to making a home smell good, many agents prefer the smell of baked goods rather than fresh flowers or air fresheners which can be overwhelming.  All of this is being done to allow the buyer to properly visualize living in the home.

PLAN AHEAD

Plan Ahead

• Plan your travel itinerary. Make transportation and lodging reservations in advance.
• Send change of address to: Post office (give forwarding address), charge accounts and credit cards, subscriptions (change notice requires several weeks), and friends and relatives.
• Contact gas, electric, and telephone companies in new location to arrange for immediate service.
• Arrange insurance on the new home prior to the transfer of property.
• Arrange for your present bank to establish credit references for new bank accounts.
• Service appliances before moving.
• Clean rugs and have them wrapped.
• Discontinue deliveries, electricity, water, gas, newspapers, and garbage collection, etc.
• Obtain copies or transfer your children's school records.
• Obtain records from doctors and dentists, including eyeglass prescriptions, dental X-rays, and vaccinations.
• Cancel club memberships.
• Transfer car title registration, if necessary, as well as driver's license, city windshield sticker, and motor club membership.
• Pay existing bills and cancel local charge accounts.
• Check on personal items that may be at the photo shop, bank safe deposit box, neighbor's house, on lay-a-way or in the repair shop (e.g., shoes, jewelry, small appliances or clothing).
• Arrange for transporting pets and obtain immunization records from the vet.
• Return all library books and anything borrowed from friends.
• Notify the religious leader of your church or synagogue.
• Carry traveler's checks for quick, available funds.
• Plan for special care and needs of infants.
• Arrange for transporting plants.
• Service the car for the trip.
• Disconnect the telephone.
• Review moving plans with your moving company representative, including insurance for packing and unpacking, arrival date, payment agreement, shipping papers, etc.

One Week Before Moving

• Clean and air out your stove.
• Defrost refrigerator and freezer 24 hours before leaving.
• Place charcoal or baking soda inside refrigerator and freezer to dispel odors.
• Dispose of all open cans and jars that cannot be tightly sealed.
• Remember to pack your telephone directory for future reference.

Survival Checklist

Here are items you may need immediately upon arriving at your new home:

Cleaning

• Soap powder
• Kitchen cleanser
• Dish towels
• Paper towels
• Dish cloth
• Steel wool pads
• Sponge
• Window cleaner
• Scrub brush
• Mop
• Broom

Kitchen

• Paper plates, cups, napkins
• Plastic knives, forks, spoons
• Plastic pitcher for drinks
• Small saucepan
• Serving spoons
• Tea kettle

Bathroom

• Facial tissue
• Toilet tissue
• Bath towel
• Shower curtain
• Face cloth
• Bath soap
• First aid kit
• Aspirin
• Prescription medicine

Miscellaneous

• Light bulbs
• Flashlight
• Hammer, screwdriver, pliers
• Aluminum foil
• Shelf paper
• Trash bags
• Twine
• Newspaper

Children

• Coloring books and crayons
• Favorite toys
• Reading materials
• Puzzles
• Small surprise gift

Snacks

• Easy-open cans of pudding
• Sandwich spreads
• Jars of cheese
• Packages of crackers
• Instant creamer, sugar, salt
• Dry soup mix
• Boxes of dry cereal, raisins
• Instant coffee, tea, chocolate
• Fresh fruit

On Your Moving Day

• Leave a copy of your travel itinerary with a friend or relative.
• Carry all currency, jewelry, and personal papers (birth certificates, deeds, and documents).
• Double check closets, drawers, and shelves to be sure they are empty.
• Confirm hotel reservations.
• Leave all old keys needed by the tenant or owner with your Sales Associate.
  

For more information about selling your home go to http://www.HomesInNutleyNJ.com