10 Steps:
1)
Define Needs
2) Pricing
3) Property
Prep
4) Marketing
5) Receive
Offer
6) Negotiate
7) Vendors
8) Pre-Close
9) Close
10)
Post-Close
| 3. Prepare Your Property For
Selling
It's time to get your home in "showing and selling"
condition. Most of us don't keep our homes in the condition it would need to be
in to sell. Over the years those boxes in the corner of the garage just seem to
multiply on their own. Things have broken that we just never get around to fixing
and some things have just worn out. We just accept the fact that they will always
be this way. It is this frame of mind that you have to break out of in order to
get your house ready to show. How your home looks will have an immense impact
on how quickly it sells and whether or not you get full market value for it. First
impressions are very important and you only get to make one. Your real estate
agent, who is interacting in the marketplace every day, can assist you in approaching
your home from the buyer's standpoint. What needs to be changed to make a good
first impression? This may mean that all you do is prune the trees and shrubs.
On the other hand, it may mean that you completely repaint the house, inside and
out. Do a "curb to door" check. Give the potential buyers a clear path
to enter the home. The fewer obstacles between the buyer and the true appeal of
your home the better. Keep in mind that over time we become accustomed to our
surroundings. What's normal for you may be detrimental to the buyer. Make
your home look as spacious as possible. Organize your closets and kitchen cabinets,
and if you have things stored in the attic or basement, make sure they are presentable.
If you are showing during the day, pull back your curtains and drapes to show
how bright and cheery your home is. If you are showing at night, turn on all of
the lights to create a warm and welcoming environment for the prospective buyers.
A home that is marked with your personality and style may be harder to sell. You
might even consider such things as removing obvious clues to your political affiliation
and tucking away any biased literature that may be visible. This will reduce distractions
and help the buyers to visualize the home as their own.
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