Often times sellers think they are ready to put their house on the market, but when you begin going down the list of tasks they will have to do, it's as if the bloom has fallen off the rose.
The First Impression
It can take some time to get a house ready to put on the market. The first step is getting the seller to hear your suggestions and then act on them. Most people understand that you only get one chance to make a first impression. That is why real estate agents insist on getting everything just right before putting a house on the market. If the seller is taking any of the attached fixtures with them when they move, those specific items should be removed prior to the house going on the market. Those items should actually be removed prior to the pictures of the property are taken. Since the majority of home searches begin on the Internet, the pictures posted online must be of great quality and the property must look as perfect as possible.
Make Repairs Now
If the seller has knowledge of any defects in or around the property, they should try to repair them prior to putting the house on the market. Depending on the price point, buyers want a house that is as close to perfect as possible. Also, when filling out Disclosure forms, the seller should read the forms carefully and answer the questions honestly. Although the real estate agent should not fill out the Disclosure form, they should read them over and ask the seller for clarification when necessary. There is no need for a buyer to be "surprised" at the home inspection, when an issue could have been disclosed upfront. The buyer has the right to know what they are buying before making an offer.
Prepare the Seller for the Process
Selling a house is a process, not an event. The seller will need to prepare to open up their house to complete strangers and keeping their house spotless from the time the house is put on the market to after the appraisal is completed. Sellers will need to wrap your head around the fact that people will be coming in and out of their house. And no matter how many times their agents ask, there will be times when buyers and their agents will leave lights on and they will leave cabinet doors open. They may even use the bathroom. As much as they would like to, the listing agent can't control everything.
These Things Take Time
Getting mentally prepared to sell is not always an easy task. Houses hold a lot of memories that can create roadblocks and delay the process. Sellers tend to have an unrealistic time frame when it comes to the amount of time it will take to get the house show ready and this can be frustrating for them. Real estate agents are there to help them get through the process. The "getting ready" process can take time and in some cases, the actual "selling" process can take some time, but through out the process, your real estate agent will be there to help the seller organize, schedule and sometimes give a dose of reality.
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