When home owners contact a REALTOR® for a market analysis, they often have a myriad of questions to ask me as their potential agent about what I can do to get their home sold. They want a person with a good, solid track record of getting a home sold quickly and for the best price possible. This is what I want too and it does take a good strong marketing plan. One key to the process is when I work with a motivated home seller who is on the same page with me and who asks, “What can I do to make my home appealing to a buyer?” And even if the home seller doesn't ask, I will work the topic into the conversation. There is nothing worse than trying to represent an apathetic or reluctant home seller.

If a homeowner doesn’t want to do the work and partner with me to get there home sold, it will be an uphill battle to the closing table. It is imperative for a home seller to be totally invested in the home selling process. And this starts even before the home is listed on the market.

Steps to being an INVESTED Home Seller!

  • Preparation—Having the home freshly painted, cleaned and staged are essential before the home is listed. Special touches really do add a welcoming touch like a seasonal wreath on the front door. Dust free vents, spotless floors, cobweb-free ceilings and light fixtures do make a difference.
  • Pricing—Listen to the advice of experts when it comes to setting the price. Don’t go by an old appraised value or what your dad said he would ask for your home. Unless Pops is a real estate professional, it is best to stick to the market statistics to come up with your list price.
  • Presentation—Interior and exterior appeal should be optimized for each and every showing.  Beyond clean and staged, light a fire in the fireplace, place a plate of warm cookies on the counter and make a potential homebuyer feel welcome!
  • Availability—Allow buyers in! Don’t say no to a showing unless it is absolutely necessary. Sometimes relocation homebuyers are just in town for a limited time and make their decision based on the homes they see that day. If you refuse a showing, you might miss out.

A potential home seller really wants and needs for their listing agent to be invested in getting their home sold quickly. But all the marketing in the world cannot get a home sold if the homeowner isn’t invested in getting the home sold too!

Are You Ready to Sell YOUR Home? If you are motivated and invested in getting your home sold and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Theresa "Teri" Eckholm of RE/MAX Specialists, a call or visit my website for a FREE Market Analysis

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Theresa "Teri" Eckholm, a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or FREE Homebuyers Success Packet.   I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

 

Buying a Home? Check out my HOME BUYER'S BLOG!

Copyright 2013 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

 

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20 Comments on How Invested are YOU in Selling Your Home?

OCT
30
1,100,033 Points 51 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Asked once by widow what the price had to be so it would NOT sell to keep his kids down country who wanted him to move closer shut up, off his bag. Sorry Charlie...not my tuna. Not my monkey. Tell them straight up cause not my sign going on a home for seven times it's value. Waste of ROI, resources, time.
12:55pm • #1
1,157,830 Points 38 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I like the preparation first and formost! :) I suggested this one!
1:05pm • #2
281,358 Points 14 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

pricing is the heart of the matter along with the other items mentioned, they need to get on board the pricing train or it will leave town without them
1:07pm • #3
814,678 Points 164 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Teri, great post! You are so right with all your points I just had to suggest it!
1:23pm • #4
762,343 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Selling a home is also an investment, of your time.  If you want it sold quickly and for the highest price, then it needs to look the best it can be.  Great advice, Teri.
2:05pm • #5
320,118 Points 4 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Called Shot Master

I agree that if a seller really is invested in selling their home, they will act upon your suggestions, if not, they could decide not to sell and leave us high and dry so to speak.
4:16pm • #6
763,614 Points 107 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Seller cooperation is essential to completing a sale successfully. They have to be prepared to do the work necessary to get their home on the market. But it doesn't stop there. Then they have to keep the home show ready and allow showing appointments to optimize their chance for an offer.
8:29pm • #7
355,370 Points 19 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Teri-I like the way you phrased your post. I find it's always going to be a challenge to get a property sold if the agent's incentive to sell is greater than the owner's interest in selling.
8:57pm • #8
OCT
31
106,229 Points Called Shot Master

Sometimes it is the small low price investments that make the difference in selling your home.
5:15am • #10
731,093 Points 15 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Teri, I totally agree! It is a team effort between the seller and the agent to get a home sold.
5:19am • #11
653,365 Points 70 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Great advice Teri.  Every home seller should read this well thought out list.                                                              
5:38am • #12
840,383 Points 69 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

I always like to bring up the fun factor too. We will sell the home. Lets enjoy doing it also .....please
6:42am • #13
535,983 Points 71 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I've learned the hard way not to allow showings before the home is completely ready.
7:11am • #14
1,100,077 Points 94 Featured Posts Outside Blog Hit Router Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Without a committed homeowner, the agent's job is much harder, or impossible. You're either in it to sell, or not.
7:51am • #15

Teri-Thanks for the Tips.I think the home owner should also emotionally detach themselves from the Home.
8:34am • #16
4 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Selling a home is a team effort! Great tips!
8:39am • #17
565,074 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Andrew--Wow...when it starts out like that, you know it is a waste of time. No investment there but yours.

Laura--Any you are very helpful preparing with your Feng Shui expertise too! Thanks!

Mark--Pricing is key and the price needs to be lower if an agent gives a list of preparations but seller doesn't do the work. Can't optimize the price if the work is not done or the house will sit on the market.

Andrea--I appreciated that...Thanks!

Jane--Exactly both the seller and the agent are investing time and effort to get the best possible outcome.

Kathy--I agree an invested seller works with the agent.

Tammie--You really understand ALL of the points I am making! :)

Wayne--Thank you! And it will be a frustrating uphill battle for both seller and agent if they are not on the same page too!
11:50am • #18
565,074 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Edward--It often doesn't mean expensive remodeling...just good preparation!

Michael--Teamwork can move mountains...or at least houses off the market!

Christensens--Thank you!

Richie--The FUN factor...I like your positive spin on it! :)

Doug--I think many of us agents have...some sellers don't realize how those first couple weeks of showings really are your best chance at a close to full price offer!

Richard--You are so very right...sometimes it can be impossible without the seller invested fully into the process.

Ryan--Very good point. Sometimes hard to do for sellers though.

Rueben--You are very welcome!
11:55am • #19
NOV
01

Teri,

Some of my most successful clients give the sellers a "to do" list.  Then they determine a target completion day.  

When the work is complete, the agent and seller sign the listing agreement.  Often the agent will have me arrive at the same time to take photos.
2:06am • #20
565,074 Points 75 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Joan--I too, give a list and target date for completing and listing. Most often, sellers are invested in getting their home sold and will go above and beyond the list too. However on occasion I will have a seller who tells me everything is ready but doesn't tell me that he/she edited the list. Most sellers are invested or they won't put their homes on the market. But sometimes a seller needs to re-examine their motivation. If there is true motivation, they need to do the work to get the home ready and keep the home in showing condition throughout the entire time the home is on the market.
7:52am • #21

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Teri Eckholm, REALTOR® Anoka&Washington Counties Acreage & Lakeshore Homes

Ham Lake, MN

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REMAX Specialists

Address: 4910 Highway 61 N, White Bear Lake , MN, 55110

Cell Phone: (651) 336-7073

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Theresa "Teri" Eckholm/REMAX Specialists assists Minnesotans to find their way home with helpful tips and quality service. Dedication to customer service has made Teri the REALTOR® of choice for families in Blaine, Forest Lake, Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and Wyoming areas. Licensed in MN.


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