It's a simple rule:  Homes that the Seller makes the "Best in Class," or have ALL of the following:

    1.  BEST price (It MUST be the best price in this market--Or just KEEP IT.)

    2,  BEST-looking/Staged (It MUST be de-cluttered/staged/neat/clean/have upgrades if there is money for that...)

    3.  BEST curb appeal (It MUST look good enough to take a look on the inside.)

    4.  BEST/Most Clean (It MUST be clean at all costs.)

    5.  easiest to show/BEST showing instructions (It MUST be able to be seen.  You can't have an offer until someone sees the inside of it.  Oh, I forgot--there are CRAZY people who just watched the latest infomoercial on how to cheat your way to a good steal in real estate who actually DO submit offers or letters of intent without even driving by the property.)

    6.  BEST/good smells

will get the BEST OFFER(s) at the BEST PRICE(s) in the shortest amount of time.

Check out Heather's post for some great tips to make your home BEST IN CLASS :  http://activerain.com/blogsview/504884/9-ways-to-enhance

So, here's the (true) story for this week:

The Buyer and me went for second viewings on TWO homes today.  Both are nice homes in nice-enough communities and are almost exactly the same square footage and floor plans. 

So, for the first one, it again showed well.  Nice, neat, clean, comfortable and it smelled good.  It meets all the Buyers' criteria for a home.  Not really any upgrades; just a nice, neat home that is a split-bedroom plan home with lots of light and a nifty fireplace.  No real clutter.  I couldn't complain at all. 

Then, when we arrived at the second home:  We entered to a VERY nice smell and all the lights were on.  There was music playing (softly) on the big-screen t.v.  Even though there is a dog involved, the dog was removed from the property and there was absolutely NO dog smell.  Candles were lit; definitely vanilla.  :)  Then, when we got to the kitchen, there was quite a nice, color letter (!) from the Seller to the Buyer, stating here are some refreshments for your enjoyment; we hope you like them as much as we have liked this home and if you like the home, please make it yours!  There was bottled water and soda (chilled) and cookies waiting for us.  Now, (except for Open Houses and Brokers' Opens), I have never seen anything like that for a (dare I say--common?) showing but I'm having a talk with ALL the Sellers I work with this week! 

If YOU were the Buyer, it's fairly obvious which experience would "WOW" you the most. 

So, for Sellers out there:  Please keep in mind that Buyers are extremely knowledgeable, too, and they do their homework.  They comparison shop.  They know which houses are good deals or not.  AND they definitely know what they like and what they want.  So, you MUST stage your home as much as possible AND you MUST seriously consider doing what this Seller did--present the home in its BEST condition and do everything possible to have the home stand out as "BEST IN (It's) CLASS."  Those homes that are "Best in Class" are the homes that are typically selling in today's market. 

Have YOU ever had a positive "WOW" moment when viewing a property??