Special offer

Home Selling Tips For Today's Market

By
Real Estate Agent with Coldwell Banker Lunsford AB59000049

Seems like every publication lately, features some kind of advice for home sellers in today's challenging market. The interesting thing is that nearly all the advice is pretty consistent, but it seems like those who want to sell their homes aren't listening.

Let's reconsider the most common suggestions.

1. Price the home properly. Buyers have educated themselves by looking at current inventory. If your home is priced based on last summer or last year, you're out of touch. If you can't afford to sell at today's prices, change your palns and hold on until prices improve. You could consider renting, but then you lose capital gains protection when you do sell.

2. Stage both the inside and outside. Buyers' decisions begin with a drive-by or a drive-up. If the landscaping is non existant or looks ragged, the lawn is full of unraked leaves and the walk and drive hasn't been cleared, the negative feelings have already begun. Inside, excess furniture should be removed and remaining items rearranged to make it look as spacious as possible. Lights should be on and blinds open, especially in the dark days of winter. Dated carpet should be replaced and as much wallpaper as possible should be removed. Dated counter tops should also be replaced.

3. Cleanliness is a must. The house needs to be "squeeky clean", walls should be touched up or repainted, carpets cleaned and absolutely no pet, cooking or smoking odor. The bathrooms should have fresh towels and unused soap. Closets (buyers will look) and kitchen cabinets should be organized and very neat. It goes without saying that beds should be made and clutter removed.

These three points seem fairly simple, yet it's amazing how many homes I show where the sellers seem totally oblivious. A former manager once told me that you succeed by doing what the competition won't do. When there is roughly a years', worth of homes on the market and stiff competition for a limited number of buyers, a seller who prepares properly will stand out way above the competition.

Posted by

Jim

Comments (2)

Joel McDonald
Joel McDonald -- www.AutomatedHomefinder.com - Castle Pines North, CO

Nice post Jim.  Thanks for sharing.

I would add as a sub-point to #2 that after a seller goes to the trouble of getting their home polished & spit-shined, they should invest in a professional photographer.  Although some buyers actually drive by homes, the other 98% of them pre-screen hundreds (if not thousands) of options online or from MLS printouts, and a good picture can make the difference between making the short-list, and never even getting a second look.

Dec 19, 2008 06:22 AM
Anonymous
Thanks

Hi Joel:

 

Good idea! I've tried "do it yourself" with both stills and virtuals but I never get the lighting right. It's better all around to use a "pro." Merry Christmas.

 

Jim

Dec 19, 2008 06:31 AM
#2