Over all the years I've traveled into the Ukraine to teach, I've had one question asked over and over by my female students.  The college I teach in frowns on the use of too much makeup.  I get it.  They don't want the beautiful Ukrainian girls distracting the easily distractable Ukrainian boys. 

So, being that I'm a foreign teacher the students always want to know about my family first, but then they move right to the most important question on their minds, "Do you think girls should wear makeup?"

I've always had the same response, "If the barn needs painting, paint the barn."  Of course that is always met with laughter and a certain confirmation that they should wear makeup. 

When a homeowner asks, "What can I do to sell my house more quickly?"  Tell them.  For instance:

  • Price it right. 
  • Keep it clean and picked up.
  • Reduce the number of personal items sitting around.
  • Get rid of things you don't need.  That might mean renting a storage container.
  • Keep the yard clean and well landscaped
  • Don't take low offers personally.
  • Be ready to counter-offer.
  • Consider staging.
  • Make it easy to show.
  • Leave during showings (everybody, including pets).
  • Make necessary repairs before listing.
  • Don't perfume the air.  Instead, air out the house and get rid of odor creating sources (such as overdue for a cleaning litter boxes, unwashed sports clothes, etc.).
  • Hire an agent you are willing to trust. 

Selling a house is a lot easier when you remove all of the obstacles.  A homeowner should not blame an agent who has done a good job marketing a property that is not ready to be sold.  When you're ready to list your property, cover all the bases that you can, and then trust your real estate professional to get the job done. 

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6. Winchester, Virginia is a great place to buy a house at great discount!

7. This simple electrical test could save your life.

8. Turn setbacks into springboards

9. Reduce your mortgage by pre-paying principle and eliminating interest

10. What can I do to sell my home more quickly?

********************************************************************************

Mike Cooper, Real Estate Broker, Winchester, VAGive me a call for all your real estate needs, and let's make something amazing happen. 

Mike Cooper @ Cornerstone Business Group, Inc., 888-722-6029


Real Estate Sales and Property Management         

 

(Disclaimer:  All grammatical mistakes, punctuation breakdowns and misspellings are purely for your amusement and entertainment.   Feel free to cackle.)                                                                                                

 
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23 Comments on What can I do to sell my house more quickly?

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

NOV
18
2011
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You bet, Rob.  I've seen a few completely miss a deal because the buyer was just probing to see what a person's tolerance was.  Have a great Friday!
9:48am • #4
122,087 Points 2 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

I think I will reblog this   and maybe point it out to my sellers....
9:55am • #5
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Excellent, Debbie!
9:59am • #6
282,637 Points 11 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mike, I love the barn reference, great way to answer that question! Thanx for putting Staging on your list, we need to get the word out there that Staging is a valuable investment to home owners! :)
10:09am • #7
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Absolutely, Peg.  We need all the tools we can get, and a well staged house is much more attractive.  Thanks for commenting!!
10:12am • #8
378,688 Points 84 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Mike - this barn needs painting...daily - lol! All great advice and if done, will help sell homes faster which usually means getting closer to asking price. As a stager if you asked me the single most important thing you can do with your home before putting it on the market I say CLEAN! No one wants a dirty, smelling home, no one!
10:51am • #9
477,249 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great post Mike. You did a great job with the story to tie into the practical advice. I like it so much I am going to reblog it. Have a great day!

Cal
11:00am • #10
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Absolutely, Kristine.  That's one point that can never be over emphasized.  Have a great Friday!

 
11:01am • #11
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks, Cal.  Feel free to use it. 
11:04am • #12
374,103 Points 10 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

if the barn need painting (lmao) thats funny...

OK What if the barn is for a dude you cant pain so you better be hitting the gym eating right and doing what you can to keep the barn in a solid foundation to last for years!!!!

 

have a great Thanksgiving my friend...

Peace
12:06pm • #13
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks, David.  You and your family have a great Thanksgiving as well.  Off to the mountains.
1:53pm • #14
338,126 Points 8 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Witty. Not such an easy concept for some homeowners espcially the elderly. I've been struggling with one house in particular. They finally allowed me to bring in a company that can help them with their lifetime's worth of accumulation. More than just a trash-out, a kind of full-service where they help from A-Z. Wish me luck. After this, I'm out of ideas.
3:28pm • #15
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That would be tough, Jill.  It would be even more difficult if they had no close family.  Good luck with that one. 
3:33pm • #16
MAY
31

Thanks Mike for all the great advice.  Here in Northwestern Wisconsin, our major inventory is recreational properties on lakes used as second homes.  When it comes time to sell, the "cabins" that are clean and clear of clutter pluse priced right, are the ones that sell first.
5:44am • #17
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

That would be interesting market, Mary.  Thanks for dropping by.
5:51am • #18
JUN
30
1,022,995 Points 15 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great post Mike and funny story.  I have heard the same response in regard to the Make Up question.
8:48pm • #19
NOV
14
1,222,291 Points 79 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Hi Mike,

I love your barn eeds painting! Excellent post..Suggested!
6:43pm • #20
551,825 Points 146 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Thanks, Gene and Dorie.
7:13pm • #21
APR
07
388,969 Points 27 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Mike: I like the way you led into that, very memorable. And that is an excellent basic list for sellers. I would most certainly list with you; you understand what needs to be done by them for YOU to find a buyer.
12:05pm • #22
APR
13

Mike, when I was a new agent - many years ago - I was showing a home to my buyers. I opened one door off a beautiful kitchen into a laundry room. Surprise!!! Dirty laundry was piled all over the floor in front of the washer & dryer and the soiled laundry was stacked almost to the ceiling on top of the appliances. Unbelievable. And the Sellers - no words here...just unbelievable, especially because the sellers knew of the appointment. They could have used your suggestions on 'selling their home,'
8:46pm • #23

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