House Selling is a Team Effort

Having just come off of watching a great Denver Bronco win where the entire team played a great game I am reminded of the world of real estate and how important it is to create a successful team and some of the roles that can go unnoticed but are the quiet game changers for sales.

• Realtors being committed and putting the time, energy and attention into the house before and during and after the closing is critical.  Important here are things like accurately pricing the house based on the market vs. what we may "want" the house to sell for.  Bringing a stager in to help the owners with staging the house in the best way possible. Owners please note: there is a huge difference between the house you live in vs. the house you have for sale.  The more open minded and wiling you can be the more successful the team can be.  Hiring a professional photographer.  In the world of real estate today buyers will often go through your house online at least seven times before they call to request a showing.  Having photos that are dynamite, accurate and plentiful is key.

• Sellers being committed includes hiring an agent that has a successful  track record of sales and a strong commitment to your house selling vs. just taking a listing.  Listings are expensive and when a house does not sale it affects the agent as much as it does the seller.  In some ways more so.  Having the house show ready (lights on in every room, staging kept up, house clean, clean, clean (this is so important it can be a blog post all its own).  

• Neighbors being proactive in keeping their properties neat and tidy.  Although we cannot control what other people do or don't do this is a huge factor in curb appeal as you drive up to a house.  Sometimes letting your neighbors know your house is going up for sale and reminding them of the curb appeal for the neighborhood is a great tool for having neighbors be part of your team 

• Landscaper or yard maintenance.  With the fall and winter season take the time to keep up (or hire it done) on leaves, lawn mowed if needed, trees/shrubs trimmed, dead summer foliage cut back.  The more your house looks manicured and well maintained in every way the more a buyer will often notice and appreciate it.

• Good lenders being involved.  If an agent brings an offer make sure to have your listing agent check out who they are working with as a lender.  The goal here is understanding who you are working with and the level of communication you want to have and expect from each other. It isn't that things do not show up it is that we have to work together toward a successful sale.

There are many, many more quiet team members who play important roles in a successful listing and sale of a house.  This is more to get you started and thinking about the subject.  For specific questions please contact Kelly.