Don't sell your home alone!!

DEVELOP A SELLING STRATEGY!

PRICE YOUR HOME RIGHT:
One of the most difficult aspects of selling your own home is to objectively determine its value. Charge too little and you'll always wonder if you lost money on the deal. Ask for too much and you'll lose time and credibility. That's why it is beneficial to use a real estate professional. They can help you determine the market value of your home while still obtaining the top-dollar price for your property.

TIME YOUR SALE:
Home sales are often seasonal and the market is generally more active in the spring and summer. Putting your home up for sale during these times of year will generally help it sell more quickly.

DECIDE WHAT WILL STAY:
Decide what items will stay with the house upon sale. This applies to curtains, appliances, swing sets, sheds, everything. Make a list, and let the buyer know what these items are.

OFFERS:
It's common to have multiple offers. However, most offers are "contingent" on meeting certain conditions, so look for the one with fewest number. Contingencies, move-in dates, and financing are all things to consider when weighing an offer.

GET IT IN WRITING:
Ask for all offers in writing. Avoid responding to any verbal offer when negotiating a sale.

EXPOSURE: Make sure the agent you choose will market your home in a way that will maximize exposure. Open houses, placing your property on the MLS (Multiple Listing Service), Home magazines, and advertising on the internet will attract more prospective buyers to your property. Web exposure opens your property to potential home buyer's world wide!

FIXING TO SELL:
In most cases, people today are only considering properties that are in "move in" condition. Most families don't have the time to move in and start fixing things. The big repairs are obvious, but in many cases, the "little" details around the house can make or break the sale. Most home buyers today are looking for homes that show well inside and out.

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Clean up & Repair Tips:
Your house only gets one chance to make a good first impression. Making your home truly marketable presents a whole set of tasks, starting with that "to-do" list of repairs that you've been meaning to get to but just didn't have the time. Chances are, your potential buyer won't have the time either and that makes your house less attractive to them. So it's time to ditch the excuses and get working! Here are some simple tips for getting your house in shape to sell.

INSIDE SPARKLE:
Get high traffic areas of your house like bathrooms and the kitchen super clean. Wash windows, walls and mirrors.
• Clean the oven and all appliances.
• Clean the blinds and window treatments.
• Clean the carpets. Replace badly worn or stained carpet.
• Get rid of stains, molds, mildew, cobwebs, dust and odors.
• Flowers, soft music or baking bread can enhance a prospective buyers first impression.

PAINT & LIGHTEN:
Painting with light, neutral colors is the best dollar for dollar investment you can make to speed up the sale of your home.
• Bright lights and white walls make rooms look bigger.
• If you plan to paint, use white or off-white.
• Replace burned out light bulbs with higher wattage bulbs.
• Keep shades and draperies open to admit as much light as possible.

REPAIR & REPLACE:
• Fix broken tile, chipped sinks and tubs and peeling wallpaper.
• Repair leaking roof and remove all signs of water damage.
• Paint over water stains- Replace discolored wallpaper.
• Repair leaky faucets and pipes.
• Repair caulking around tubs and sinks.
• Tighten loose doorknobs, light switch plates and cabinet hinges.
• Repair sticking doors and broken windows.
• Tack down all loose molding.

CLEAR OUT CLUTTER:
• Clear clutter especially in closets, kitchen counter tops, garages and rooms that look crowded. Be Ruthless!
• Get rid of everything you can live without. Put your bulkier possessions in storage.
• Clean and organize your basement, attic and garage.

EXTERIOR:
• Fertilize and cut the lawn.
• Remove all toys and clean up after pets.
• Straighten gutters, the mailbox, the fence - and other things that sag.
• Fresh landscaping bark or mulch helps make a better first impression.

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