Real Estate Blog - Tips for Home Sellers

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Tips for Home Sellers

When it's time to sell your home here are a few simple tips for realtors and home sellers alike.

Turn on your heart light.

Turn on the excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside. Whether you are showing your home in the evening or in the day, lights add color and warmth. Prospective owners feel welcome in spaces that are bright and airy.

Don't crowd your buyers.

Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter your home. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, prospects are likely to hurry through. When the homeowners are present people often feel uncomfortable looking in closets and laundry rooms an other private areas. Additionally, rooms filled with people give the impression that the space is small.

I love pets ... but not your pet.

Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting underfoot. Some prospects are allergic to some animals. Sadly, many people love their pets, but they don't like your pet. It's in your best interest to keep the animals outside or out of the way of potential buyers.

Don't create distractions

Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. Most of us love music, but not all of us love your music. When it's time to show your home, it's time to turn down the music. Turn off your TV because the last thing you want is for one of your buyers to watch the game while his wife falls in love with your house.

Give a wide berth.

A smiling seller is a welcome site, but a pesky seller will chase a home buyer away. It's important to be friendly but avoid being conversational. Anything you say could be construed to imply a warranty or could cost you thousands in negotiations.

Put things in perspective.

Some buyers will point out shortcomings or flaws in the property. It's best not to respond orally to these challenges. Utterances like these are seldom personal in this context. So, never take offense. Understand that these statements might be an indication of the buyer's ignorance, but sometimes the buyer attempting to frame negotiations with these statements. To engage the comment is to agree with the premise of the utterance.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo 1 Alexandria / Will Nesbitt Realty LLC. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Posted by Will Nesbitt - condos / real estate in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County on 11/29/2008 01:55 PM

Comments (40)

Selling Your Home in the Home Selling Channel

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40 Comments on Tips for Home Sellers

NOV

2008

All great tips, but especially putting things in perpsective. Again, seems like I am always bashing the media, but for WHATEVER reasons buyers today thing a house, any and every house, needs to be darn near perfect for they want to negtioate something off the price. Perspective is key. Janice Rosoevelt, Ecobroker, ABR, e-PRO, Keller Williams-Kenentt Square, PA

Especially I love pets ... but not your pet. They cannot understand why people don't like their dog jumping on them

I like the pet tip... Great post, somethign for all sellers to keep in mind.

I like for the sellers to be gone. Put the dog away or take him with you. There are so many things a seller can do to help.

Will, great tip for your Sellers. I think the pet tip is a good one too.

"Unclutter" or "Depersonalize" I think this is another important thing to do.

florida agent

Great Tips. I would also strongly advise them to PRICE IT RIGHT from DAY ONE!!!

Great points made. Presenting your home in the best "light" is important in setting the stage for great appeal.

Thanks for the tips. Light is does make your home more inviting and puts a glow throughtout. Open your blinds and turn those lights on, huge difference!

Excellent tips, Will! Anything a seller can easily do to make their home show better is well worth it!

Excellent advice. I have also seen when they point out all the shortcomings of a property - they may just like it but are planting seed for a low offer!

Great tips! If only every seller would listen to these. Our jobs would be much easier.

Janice: My pet peeve is when people ask about "the market". That's how people got in trouble in the first place: playing the market. The key to home buying is that you should buy something you can afford and something that you love. The market is going to do what the market is going to do.

Richard, Laura and Kacem: perhaps I need to take my own advice. I bring my little doggie to the office every day.

Anne, "declutter" and "unpersonalize" is a BIGGIE. I can't believe I missed it. Thanks much.

Michael K.: Price is what really matters in the end, isn't it. Come to think of it, that's what matters in the beginning too!

Valerie and Jon, LIGHT is important. I can tell you how many people keep their curtains pulled when they know they are expecting prospects.

Gary: I think you'll agree that when someone is talking about your property that's a good thing. When someone is not talking ... they aren't interested.

Good points.

Many times the more they pick apart a property, the more interest they have. And yes, they're establishing a negotiation stance.

Will....Congrats on your "FEATURED" post. All great points!!! I hope you don't mind that I re-blogged!!!

Like the don't crowd the buyers part. I have worked with agents that like the ups driver on mad tv it was horrible, if the buyers have questions they will ask.

Excellent tips...I went to visit a house once and the interior decorator insisted on giving me a "tour" of the house....it was really annoying.

Sergio: Are you kidding?! I love that you reblogged! Thanks so much. You may find my article about "Tips on Reblogging" useful.

Thats a great list for sellers and agents as well to use!

Thanks Will...Great Info! Also remember less is more...less clutter makes the rooms seem bigger so take out all the stuff that distracts from showings and put it away. In today's market you should stage your house so it shows the best...there is too much competition and only the best homes will get sold!

I tell my clients who get caught at home to say - NO MATTER WHAT - "funny you should come just now because I was just on my way out" and then LEAVE. I don't care if they're at dinner with the fork half way in their mouth - "Funny you should come just now..." My experience is that if the seller seems inconvenienced by leaving the buyer still feels like a 'guest' rather than feeling like it could be their own home.

Good reminders. It is good to remind sellers after a month or so as well as homes are staying on the market longer.

Pesky sellers are #1 for me. What sellers feel is "selling" oftentimes feels pushy to the buyer.

NOV

2008

Barbara: that is hilarious! I can't believed how many times I believe that line. Next time I'll wink as the seller leaves.

Trunda: this is indeed true. The other thing is that the buyers get back in the car and say, "Wow. They must be desperate." If an offer is coming, it is a lowball.

Great post! I couldnt agree more, I would want any dogs jumping on me. I have three dogs, but would still not want to have theirs jumping on me or barking the whole time.

These are very important tips for sellers, ones that could make a difference between selling their house and not selling it.

Jason and Christine: Thanks much for the feedback.

Simple tips that go a longgg way!

Thanks Amber.

Will: Good tips and entertaining too! Good job, my man!

I generally encourage my sellers to just leave and not be present for the showing. The home needs to be judged on its own merit. What if the Buyer likes the home, but finds the seller entirely unpalatable? No need to risk it; the seller can take the pet for a walk, as soon as the buyers arrive. BTW, Seller, please use the side door!

DEC

2008

Thanks for the kind words, Mirela. I almost forgot a biggie: appointment only means less showings.

DEC

2008

When showing any home, move yourself towards a corner in any room or hall. To test it, try it on one home and not on another....and listen to the replies about room size. It is quite amazing what blocking space does to the mind.

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