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Avoid Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home - Part 2

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Real Estate Agent with BRE # 01442690, Scott Keys Properties BRE# 01442690

Avoid Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home - Part 2

Whether you've lived in your home a short time or a long time, you know it's not just an investment. It's a place of dreams, family memories, backyard barbecues, and a whole lot more. But when you put your home on the market, there are a number of things to think about - things you need to prepare for, and to organize. So if you are thinking of selling your home in San Francisco's West Portal, Parkside or Forest Hill, this is important!

Number 1: You need to Dress your home for sale!

In Avoid Costly Mistakes When Selling Your Home - Part 1, we approached the exterior of your home. And we looked at the landscaping and the exterior of your home.

Now it's time to go inside, just like a buyer would. You want to be aware of four senses: smell, touch, sight, and hearing. Go through room by room and test all four senses. Check flooring and carpet for stains and odors.

Stage your home for saleAnd this is very important: Pack up small appliances, clear out excess furniture, put away useless dishes, personal mementos and knick knacks - make your home neat and orderly. If you've ever visited a model home or a staged open house, you'll notice how they're clean and uncluttered. You'll have to move anyway, so you might as well pack early, and make your home more saleable.

I've worked with a number of buyers and I can see the difference in their reactions between visiting a vacant staged home and one that appears to be very much still lived in. They are uncomfortable in the home that is still very much lived in - maybe they feel like they're intruding. They take a quick look around and want to leave.

Now that you've uncluttered, hire someone to professionally clean your home. Top to bottom! Cleaning and cosmetic fix-ups, especially in the kitchen, bathrooms and master bedroom can many times yield you up to $100 in extra sales price for every $1 you invest.

Posted by

 

John M Scott, Broker / Owner, Scott Keys Properties, Certified Distressed Property Expert (CDPE), Council of Real Estate Brokerage Managers (CRB), serving San Francisco and the surrounding San Francisco Bay Area

Roger Stensland
Keller Williams Realty Puget Sound - Maple Valley, WA
Let's Move!

I first thought hey, there are five senses not just four.  Then, I remembered a few times where the fifth sense has come into play while showing homes.  If the odor in the home is so strong that you can taste it, then it is really bad.  You should not be able to taste a home just by breathing.

May 27, 2013 09:33 PM
John M. Scott
BRE # 01442690, Scott Keys Properties - San Francisco, CA
Broker / Owner San Francisco Bay Area

Definitely Roger. I sure as heck don't want to taste the home, whether its a bad smell from urine or too many vanilla candles!

May 29, 2013 11:36 AM
John McCormack, CRS
Albuquerque Homes Realty - Albuquerque, NM
Honesty, Integrity, Results, Experienced. HIRE Me!

Good morning John -

Great advice for anyone thinking about listing their home.  I always tell my sellers..... "Think model home."  They tend to forget that when they bought the home they too were looking for a uncluttered, clean and eye appealing home.  I agree smell is a high priority as well. 

I'm out the door to work with buyers and hope you're enjoying a great day in all you do!

Jun 01, 2013 03:34 AM