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SELLING
your house?
20
hints that will help you SELL
your house more speedily and at the
right price.
Make the most of that first impression.
A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a
clutter-free porch welcome prospects. So does a freshly
painted – or at least freshly scrubbed –
front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves.
If it’s winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer
obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of
your home, the better.
Invest a few hours for future dividends.
Here’s your chance to clean up in real estate!
Clean up the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen.
If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading,
consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper
adds charm and value to your property. If you’re
worried about time, hire professional cleaners or
painters to get your house ready. Remember, prospects
would rather see how great your home really looks
than hear how great it could look "with a little
work."
Check faucets and light bulbs.
Dripping water rattles the nerves, discolors sinks
and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Burned out
bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the dark.
Don’t let little problems detract from what’s
right with your home.
Don’t shut out a sale.
If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you
can be sure they will also stick in a prospect’s
mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations
when you can easily plane them away. A little effort
on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.
Think safety.
Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of
self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs,
festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and
low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as
non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.
Make room for space.
Remember, potential buyers are looking for more than
just comfortable living space. They’re looking
for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement
are clean and free of unnecessary items.
Consider your closets.
The better organized a closet, the larger it appears.
Now’s the time to box up those unwanted clothes
and donate them to charity.
Make your bathroom sparkle.
Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and
repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and
showers. For added allure, display your best towels,
mats, and shower curtains.
Create dream bedrooms.
Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms.
For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture.
Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
Open up in the daytime.
Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains and
drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery
your home is.
Lighten up at night.
Turn on the excitement by turning on your best lights
- both inside and outside - when showing your home
in the evening. Lights, particularly side lights,
add color and warmth, and make prospects feel welcome.
Avoid crowd scenes.
Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they
enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving
your house the attention it deserves, they're likely
to hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.
Watch your pets.
Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you're
showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting
underfoot. So do everybody a favor: keep Felix and
Spike outside, or at least out of the way.
Think volume.
Rock-and-roll will never die. But it might kill a
real estate transaction. When it's time to show your
home, it's time to turn off the stereo or TV.
Relax.
Be friendly, but don't try to force conversation.
Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of
distraction.
Don't apologize.
No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for
its shortcomings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory
comment about your home's appearance, let me handle
the situation. I've had 30 years experience dealing
with this kind of situation!
Keep a low profile.
Nobody knows your home as well as you do. But I know
buyers - what they need and what they want.
I will have an easier time articulating the virtues
of your home if you stay in the background.
Don't turn your home into a second-hand store.
When prospects come to view your home, don't distract
them with offers to sell those furnishings you no
longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.
Defer to experience.
When prospects want to talk price, terms, or other
real estate matters, let them speak to me. I work
for you and I know how to respond to your advantage.
Assist me, if you can.
I will have an easier time selling your house if showings
are scheduled through my office. You'll appreciate
the results! |
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