Over the last few month, you couldn’t escape the housing market “blues”. Every time you opened a paper, turned on the radio, surfed the web or talked to Neighbors – homes weren’t selling, prices were dropping, foreclosures are on the rise and the time to sell is much longer, while at the same time the concessions expected from the Seller seemed to increase daily. So, what’s a Seller, that truly has to sell, to do?
Just settle for the least amount of money he/she can live with and hope for the best? Save some money by selling yourself and not work with a Realtor? Let the house go into foreclosure, reasoning that it won’t sell anyways?
No! No! No!
Let’s start with the Realtor portion! Considering that the fees for the Realtors will possibly be higher than most other fees – why shouldn’t you save on those? Considering the surplus of homes currently on the market, you need all the marketing and networking power possible, to get a buyer into your home. Just adding a “For Sale By Owner” Sign will not bring the masses into your home. Besides – how do you know those “Buyers” are true Buyers, not just neighbors looking or potential buyers that are not able to afford or qualify for your home? By using a Realtor – those worries will be alleviated! Plus a Realtor has the connections to network with other Realtors, therefore “share” potential Buyers in addition to Information, increasing the potential for a sale quite dramatically.
Another point is marketing – do YOU really want to be the one taking on the work of marketing? Designing fliers, postcards and on-line ads. Work with a variety of on-line sites to increase exposure? Invite people to, and hold open houses? Do you have the time to do all that? Or do you already have a hard time keeping your house in showing condition?
So, if you have decided to work with a Realtor, make sure it’s someone you “click” with. Someone who has the same goals as you – regarding price, time to sell and concessions. Someone who makes your goals – their goals and looks out for YOUR best interest.
Once all that is worked out – it’s time to start taking a look at your house. If you’ve lived in it a while, you might be so used to it, that you can’t really see all the “little things”. If you can’t imagine yourself as a potential Buyer and take an objective look at your house -have a friend pretend to be your buyer and give you input.
Start from the outside and work your way in. What does your exterior look like? Is it weed free? Planted? Most of all – is the paint in great condition, does it accentuate the good features of your home and are the windows sparkling? Is your roof in good condition? The spouts and gutters clean and clear? The front door welcoming? Try the lock – if it needs to be wiggled, lifted or jimmied – you might want to replace it. Nothing more frustrating than a door that won’t open when you’re trying to bring a buyer into the home. That says to the Buyer: If this isn’t working right – what else is wrong?
Your Entry Space/Foyer - is it clean, uncluttered, welcoming and easy to navigate? Same goes for the rest of your rooms! Does each room have a purpose? Or do you have enough “stuff” to furnish another home? (If that’s the case – put it into storage!)You’re trying to sell and you’ll have to pack things up anyway. Make it easier on yourself and on your Buyers – pack up and un-clutter. This is not the time to showcase you several collections of Hummel figurines, your wall displays of corks from around the world or your amount of pet toys.
Now that you’ve uncluttered – take a look at your walls! Are they in great shape? Featuring a welcoming color? (White is no longer considered neutral!) Are they decorated or bare? What about your floors, ceilings and windows? Great Condition, spotlessly clean, updated where necessary, painted, accessible and functioning? Great! If not – you’ll have to get them into selling condition.
Furniture – do you have too much, not enough? Is it attractive? Make sure it’s arranged in an inviting array, highlighting the main features of your room (like fireplace, views, french doors). Is the layout easy to navigate and has a good flow? Or do you have to climb and wind around your furniture?
Lighting – can potential Buyer’s SEE your house? Or is it sheathed in darkness? Add light! Floor lamps, table lamps, candles, new chandeliers to define a space.
Finally, add some accessories! Plants, Flowers, Candles, Art work!
If all that sounds overwhelming – you can hire a Stager and/or Decorator. Why would you want to? Just dropping the price of your home to match the closest competitor might not be enough in the current market. Where the number of homes on the market has reached record numbers. You are in competition with every other house for sale that’s similar to yours. Specially if it’s in the same general area, with the same general features, offered at a similar price. And considering “Suburbia Environments” – this is more the Rule, than the exception.
Put yourself in the Buyers shoes! If you look at 10 homes – similar in size, price, location and amenities, yet one is in great condition, decorated for the Buyer to imagine themselves living in there, and ready to move in, versus homes that clearly have been lived in for a while, with little bits and pieces that need to be redone, painted, updated etc. Which home would you buy? And if you said you wouldn’t care – than tell me – if you see a home that’s in top condition, compared to another that clearly needs some work, offered at the same price – wouldn’t you expect to pay less for the home that needs more work? Because after all – someone has to do the work!
So the market we’re currently dealing with, requires not just great pricing, but great condition. You want to stand out from the competition to ensure that Buyers not only remember your house, but consider it for purchase.
