DFW (Dallas, Fort-Worth) Real Estate Market is very hot, foreclosures are at a record low (according to the latest National Association of Realtors statistics). You can set your self up for a more speedy sale by following these simple, yet effective steps:
1. Price IT Right - Many home sellers try to price higher leaving room for negotiation and then lowering the price. If you wait too long for this, you may already lose your window of opportunity to attract buyers. It's easiest to sell within the first 2 weeks of listing. After that people wonder if there's anything wrong with house or why it's not selling immediately. Get actual comps (not "Zestimates") of sales in your neighborhood and price accordingly (somewhere in the middle). Another downside of too high a price is that even if you get a contract, it could fall through when the house is appraised.
2. Curb Appeal - Make a great first impression. Many buyers often drive by the house to check if it's even worth looking on the inside. Add flowers/color, mulch flower beds, clean driveways, porch. A clean, fresh, simple appearance works best.
3. Update (exterior and interior) - Your home should look updated, in line with the current market. Retro 70s look may not work for most buyers shopping in 2014/2015. Easy fixes are fresh, neutral paint on the inside and outside, updated fixtures.
4. Clean, declutter and depersonalize - Of all staging tips, the cheapest and most effective tip is to declutter and clean. From shining floors and gleaming windows to clean counters and scrubbed grout, every surface should sparkle. Beware of odors, don't mask them with air freshners, get rid of the source. Remove personal knicknacks and excess furniture.
5. Stage the home - all rooms should have a purpose. If you used the dining room as a study, rearrange the furniture to make it into a dining room again. Give purpose to odd rooms, eg. an empty room can easily be convereted to an exercise room (yoga mat and ball). Remove excess furniture, clothes, utensils... Closets, storage spaces appear larger with less things.
6. Remove pets - pet odors, barks, pet noises are generally not welcomed. Prospective buyers may not like pets. If possible, remove pets for showings. Also hide dog dishes, cat litter boxes etc.
7. Make showings easy - the easier you make your home to show, the more people see your house. Getting a showing service also helps (ask your agent if they use a showing service). Also, be prepared to leave when you get notification of a showing appointment. Most buyers don't like it when sellers are present in the house, it makes them uncomfortable.
8. Advertise on all major online portals - make sure your listing gets the most visibility. This is usually part of an agent's service but it doesn't hurt to check that your house shows up on all the major real estate websites such as realtor.com, zillow, trulia, homes.com etc.
9. Great Photos - this is often overlooked but it is very important to make your house look its best in all the advertising you do. Insist that your agent gets professional photos of the house and doesn't use their phone to take home pictures. It may be worth paying a professional photographer to get great pictures of the house (generally costs $100-$150).
10. Share information about the neighborhood - You're not just selling the house, your selling a lifestyle. Share some information, pictures about the neighborhood to let the prospective buyers know where they're going to be living.
Happy Selling and Thanks for visiting my Blog!
POSTED BY:
Shuchi Agrawal
When you need Real Estate services in the Dallas Fort-Worth Metroplex
it would be my pleasure to assist you!
Check out all Dallas Fort-Worth Real Estate on My Website
972-689-1697 / shuchirealtor@gmail.com
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