Selling a Home
by Remax
International
As a homeowner, you can
play an important part in the timely sale of your
property. When you take the following steps, you’ll
help your
RE/MAX Sales Associate
sell your home faster, at the best possible price.
The easiest and most
reliable way to improve the appeal of your home is
to
enlist a quality home service
professional. The
right professional can help you get everything in
order - from repainting the kitchen to providing a
thorough cleaning - so you can stay focused on more
important things.
- 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 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 all your lights - both
inside and outside - when showing your home in
the evening. 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 Kitty
and Spot 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 down 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 your experienced RE/MAX Associate handle the
situation.
- Keep a Low
Profile
Nobody knows your
home as well as you do. But RE/MAX Sales
Associates know buyers - what they need and what
they want. Your RE/MAX Associate 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 - It's the Experience®
When prospects want
to talk price, terms, or other real estate
matters, let them speak to an expert - your
RE/MAX Sales Associate.
- Help Your
Agent
Your RE/MAX Associate will have an easier time
selling your home if showings are scheduled
through his or her office. You'll appreciate the
results!
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