Sellers - It's Not Too Late to Capture That Buyer.
When you listed your property, I'm sure that your REALTOR(R) spent time giving you advise on how to improve your chances of selling your home quickly. Pricing strategies, marketing, advertising and procedural issues were all discussed. Recent showings at both ends of beauty spectrum for homes indicated that the message didn't get through... either at all or completely with regard to those things that YOU can do to increase your home's appeal.
So, if you really want to maximize your home's appeal for the best possible chance of selling your home before the other neighborhood listings.... TAKE MY CHALLENGE>
Here's the CHALLENGE
If you are thinking ahead, you will soon change roles from seller to buyer. After all, you will need somewhere to live after the sale. My CHALLENGE is to do some roll play right now. Take pencil and paper and go out to your front curb and transform yourself into the buyer that you will become soon. Pretend that you are a buyer and your REALTOR(R) has just brought you to this house (your own house) in hopes that this will be your new home. Separate yourself from the fact that it is your home and take a tour as if you are a buyer. Jot down every reason that a buyer could-should-would be critical of this property. Be ruthless. Things to think about might be:
- What's the first impression like?
- What do I see that needs attention?
- How well has the home been cared for?
- Do I want my new home to be like this?
- Could I envision myself living there if someone else had made the home this personal... but to their tastes?
- Would I buy this home given the problems visible?
I'll bet your list of problems will be longer than you expected... IF YOU WERE REALLY CANDID AND HONEST.
SURPRISED?
It is my hope that this challenge would be done BEFORE you listed your home. If not, review the following list and act NOW! The photos may be to the extreme, but you get the idea....
Spiff It Up NOW!
If it's Dirty - CLEAN it.
Scrub walls, especially at corners. Clean bathrooms METICULOUSLY. The Kitchen should be SPOTLESS. Cleaning won't help? Scroll down two more items.
If it's Broken - FIX it.
Replace light bulbs, Dangling fixtures don't sell. Holes in plaster need spackle. Rotted deck boards need immediate attention. Some things could keep the buyer from gaining an FHA or VA loan if the problem is health and/or safety related.
If it Needs Paint - PAINT it.
Inside or outside. Fresh paint is always a plus. Skip the purples and pinks. Go for the trendy neutral colors du jour. I've seen stark white become a turn-off too.
If it's Grown Too Tall - Cut it.
This speaks to curb appeal. Bushes that block windows, overhang walkways, climb walls or are unmanicured only detract from the home.
If it's Cluttered -
DE-CLUTTER it.
'nuff said.
If it's Personal - PACK IT UP.
Not only do personal items like collections and family photos capture the attention away from the layout of the house, but they also prevent the buyer from envisioning this as their future home.
If it's Worn Out -
GET RID OF IT.
If it's Stinks - CLEAN IT AGAIN.
If this challenge and roll play was just not your cup of tea, and you live in the SoCal Inland Empire, Please call me before listing your home.... I have lots of practice with homes that needed help.
Photo Credits: All from Flickr with CC Licensing
- Skunk - Teosaurio
- Kitchen Mess - Apium
- Dirty home - Britt Selvitelle
- Broken shutter - Nesher Guy
- Peeling Paint - stark23x
- Shrubs - Supafly
- Doll Collection - Saffy
- Worn furniture - MichiganMoves
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