It's July, 2010. We're not even done with the 2010 Summer selling season. But, previewing by next year's buyers has already begun. This coming weekend, there is a couple from Paris, TX coming down to drive through Prosper and get to know the area. What can you do to get ready for them?
Take photos now!
The grass is green. If you have a pool, the odds are that it's sparkling and clear right now. The landscaping is probably lush and you have seasonal color in full bloom. Take exterior photos now. If you list your home in January, 2011, your grass will be dormant and your landscaping will not be showing at it's peak. A little preparation right now will help the marketing efforts next year.
Follow the HOA guidelines!
When we drive around Prosper and find homes that are leaving trash cans out that are visible from the street, those homes are very likely violating the bylaws of their HOA. This doesn't make a great first impression, and can leave a bad taste in the buyer's mouth that won't go away. They'll skip your neighborhood next year, and you'll be left to wonder why.
Neutralize the decor and work on that 'to-do' list!
Your daughter probably LOVES that neon orange bedroom, but at some point between now and 2011, that room will need to be neutralized before it goes on the market. Don't think the next buyer is going to love the neon orange (or whatever bold color was selected). Neutral sells. Anything else is an objection to about half the buyers that will come through the door. Don't risk turning them off.
Take a look at that wood garage door and fence, too. If the home is 4 or more years old, you'll want to be staining both of those as part of the general maintenance on the house before it goes on the market next year. Now, while the rains are more sporadic, is a great time to get out in the mornings and tackle that project. Walk around the house, inside and out, and create that dreaded 'to-do' list. It really is better to do it now, so at least you get to enjoy the fruits of your labor for a while before you sell the house.
Hold a garage sale now!
We tend to grow into our spaces, and many of us have items that we don't want or need to take to our next home. It's simpler to eliminate the clutter than it is to move it to a new home and try to find a place for it. Schedule a garage sale now, with selling the home in mind. The money you make can pay for storage of the furnishings and belongings that may be non-essential to the sale of the house next year.
Talk to a Realtor - or 2 or 3 Realtors - now, about next year!
Some of my best listings don't happen right away. We make a plan of action 6 months to a year prior to putting the house on the market. We make predictions on the market, review current comps, plan a marketing strategy, define our competition, work on staging, and put a timeline to the make-ready for the home. We identify and overcome obvious objections and common issues with resale homes. And, we do this without the urgency of having to put the sign in the yard anytime soon.
The best part of making a good Realtor aware that you'd like to sell your home is that we can be doing drive-by's on your home now with prospective buyers and working to make that match between buyer and seller every time we have a buyer who matches your criteria. People will wait for the right home. Especially, when they have a home to sell first. The party with the most flexibility in regard to time is usually the party with the most power in a real estate transaction.
Why talk to multiple agents? To get different perspectives. And, to ensure you have the best marketing strategy and locally-focused agent for your home. These days, home sales happen by design. We don't have many happen accidents where the buyer just shows up on day 3 of the listing and buys the house for full list price. It takes a very assertive plan of action to get a home sold, and the owners play a big role. Understanding your part can make the sale go more smoothly than you might expect. It's great to interview agents from a variety of sources. We know we might have competition, and we all bring something different to the table. We're independent contractors. We expect to be interviewed.
You may be enjoying these long days of Summer, but if you are planning to sell your home in 2011, just know that your buyer is watching and there is much work to be done.
Have a blessed day!
Ronda
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