Sometimes we just need a short synopsis of how to get something done.  This is a friendly list of things to do to help you sell your home quickly for top dollar.  If something here troubles you, please understand that I am being brief and cannot completely cover the essence of why these suggestions work.  If you like, we can talk about them.  Here we go:

1. List your home on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS).  Most people who are buyers are shopping through MLS agents or at the very least are searching the MLS online to find a home.  You should make very sure that your home is one of those listed on that system.  It is by far the most effective way to sell your home fast for top dollar.  In my view, "It must be seen by as many as possible to be appreciated by at least one!"

2. Here is a note on home staging.  Remove clutter from your home to make it spacious and open.  We all have clutter in our homes.  Please, there is no need to be embarrassed about that!  When the time comes to sell, you won't find a better reason to gather things together and store them in the garage.  Sorry guys, I hate my garage being used for storage too but clutter has to go somewhere.  Buyers love open and bright spaces.  Hey, if you don't want to store it in the garage, find somewhere else; but do reduce the clutter.

3.  On that note, pack away your personal photographs.  You may love the grade 7 photos of your kids hanging on the wall but the truth is they will not help you sell or get top dollar.  When selling your home, you want it to feel like it belongs to the buyers when they enter.  They need to feel the comfort of being at home.  Seeing "your" family photos on the wall will intrigue them but it will make your home feel like it belongs to you more than them.

4. Don't leave the dog home when the buyers walk through.  OK, just so that you know, I am a dog lover! But to make all buyers feel at home, including the non-dog lovers, it's a really good idea to have the pooch stay with the in-laws, the neighbours, or someone else who will not scare the "bejepers" out of them.  Pretty much all buyers will appreciate not having to be licked and loved or worse, growled at.

5.  Price your home to reflect the current market demand, but more specifically, the market demand that is anticipated in the ensuing two months.  Whether you are trying to sell in a buyer's market or a seller's market, pricing your home right is critical.  And just to state the obvious, your Realtor should be working to negotiate for you, not just to make the sale.

6.  Make sure you are using the internet to market your home.  Studies have reported that up to 87% of buyers in some areas use the internet to help find a home.  News papers are used by 47% of buyers so they are not nearly as effective as some may think.  Many real estate companies are no longer using news papers to advertise for this reason.  It is important therefore to make sure that your home is listed on the internet.  And to add emphasis to the point, the more websites, the better it will be.

7.  This one almost goes without saying but some may misunderstand the importance of it.  The best place for you to be during viewings, is elsewhere.  No offence intended of course, but buyers do not need to connect with the vendors.  They only need to connect with the vendor's home.  By staying around to meet the buyers, you risk the chance that they will not like your home because they didn't connect with you.  You also may be asked questions that you would rather have your Realtor deal with;  so remove that risk altogether.  Step out and give the prospective buyers space to wander through and see if they can feel the love your home has to offer. 

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About the Author: R. Greg Osmond is a Platinum Award winning Realtor dedicated to serving the people of St. John's, Mount Pearl, Paradise, Kilbride, Goulds, Conception Bay South (CBS), Portugal Cove - St. Philips, Torbay – Flatrock – Pouch Cove, and Logy Bay - Middle Cove - Outer Cove, Newfoundland and Labrador.  For over 21 years Greg has been practicing in Real Estate.  He can be reached at 709-895-2500.

Want to get in touch? Email rgosmond1@gmail.com. For more information, please visit http://www.rgregosmond.com. Thinking of selling your home? I have a passion for helping my clients with buying and selling real estate! If there is any way I can be of service to you today, please feel free to contact me!