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Is your Home Ready to Sell?

By
Real Estate Broker/Owner with Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI

It is crucial that your home looks it's best for the potential buyer if you are to get the best possible price in the least amount of time. A little time now can pay big dividends when you sit down at the closing table. Remember, you are competing with other sellers in your area. Here are a few tips from experts in Real Estate sales.

1. Look at your home through a buyer's eyes.

  • Look at other similar homes for sale in your area. How does your home compare?
  • Tour model homes. These are normally in move in condition. This is an excellent method to understand a buyer's expectations.

2. Make a list.

  • What are the obstacles preventing your home from showing its full potential?
  • Begin with Curb Appeal. Lawn, Fences, Walks, Driveway, etc.
  • Next move to the Inside. Closets, Kitchen, Bed Rooms, Bath Rooms, Play Rooms, Living areas, and Garages.
  • Categorize your findings and create an action plan:
    1. Un-clutter - Get rid of it!
    2. Clean - Clean it!
    3. Repair - Fix it if you can. If you can not, hire someone that can!
    4. Optimize - Build on your homes features to help the buyer to connect with your home.

3. Complete the necessary tasks.

  • Scrub, Spackle, Paint, Trim, Throw Out, Plant, Dust, Decorate and Organize.

4. Keep your home in showing condition at all times.

  • Buyers can be unpredictable. Showings often happen at the least convenient time possible. Don't miss a potential buyer because of a un prepared home!

 

Jeff Thornton
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Hubbell BriarWood
Jeff@JeffThornton.com
517-719-4430

Comments(5)

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Rate A Home - Saugatuck, MI

Jeff, great job on the post, I usually have the seller complete a sellers rating system to help them look through the buyer's eyes at their own home.

I'll send you an e-mail on the program, you may find it helpful as well.

Duane

Jul 27, 2008 01:51 AM
Jeff Thornton
Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI - Lansing, MI
ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI

Duane I appreciate it.  I will use it with my sellers to help them get their homes ready to sell

Jul 27, 2008 11:07 AM
Jeff Thornton
Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI - Lansing, MI
ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI

Mike you are only hurting the seller when you don't do your complete job. 

Jul 27, 2008 11:08 AM
Leander McClain
North East, MD
Cecil & Harford County Realtor

Jeff,

Good post.  I tell my clients that once i list their home, they must act as if it is not their home anymore.  I tell them to start moving out.  Most of us have too much stuff in our homes.  This makes it difficult for a buyer to imagine thier "stuff" in the home.  Family pictures and cultural artwork are nice however...they need to go into storage.  I also tell the clients that they should make their home as neutral as possible.  That means painting the red bathroom and your teenagers black bedroom. 

Keep up the good work

Leander McClain, Real Estate Consultant

Jul 29, 2008 01:25 AM
Jeff Thornton
Jeff Thornton ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI - Lansing, MI
ABR CRB CRS CSP e-Pro GRI

Leander

They have to present their nhome the way buyers would appreciate not they way they want it

Jul 29, 2008 01:58 PM