Let your home smile a welcome to buyers... With a little effort
on your part, you home can be sold more quickly and at a better
price. These 20 tips have proved invaluable to owners and are
worth your special attention.
First impressions are lasting. The front door
greets the prospect. Make sure it is fresh and clean. Keep
the lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse. In
winter, be sure snow and ice are removed from walkways and
steps.
- Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork
reduce appeal. Why try to tell a prospect how your home
COULD look, when you can show by redecorating? Neutral
colors fit with any buyer's color scheme, and a new touch of
paint will often result in a quick, profitable sale.
- Let the daylight shine in! Open draperies and curtains
and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be (dark
rooms do not appeal).
- Fix that faucet! Dripping water discolors sinks and
suggests faulty plumbing.
- Repairs can make a big difference. Loose knobs, sticking
doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor
flaws detract from home value. Have them fixed. (When
prospects see things that need attention, they begin to
worry about things they can't see.)
- From top to bottom. Display the full value of your
attic, basement and other utility space by removing all
unnecessary articles.
- Safety first. Keep stairways clear. Avoid a cluttered
appearance and possible injuries.
- Make closets look bigger. Neat, well-ordered closets
show that the space is ample.
- Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking in
bathtubs and showers. Make this room sparkle.
- Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture. Use
attractive bedspreads and freshly laundered curtains.
- Can you see the light? Illumination is like a welcome
sign. The potential buyer will feel a flowing warmth when
you turn on lights for an evening presentation.
- Three's a crowd. Avoid having too many people present
during showing and inspections. The potential buyer will
feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
- Music is mellow. But not when showing a house. Turn off the
blaring radio or television. Let the salesperson and buyer talk,
free of disturbances.
- Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way... preferably out
of the house in consideration of those afraid of or allergic to
cats and dogs.
- Silence is golden. Be courteous but don't force conversation
with the potential buyer. He wants to inspect your house, not
pay a social call.
- Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of
your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained
salesperson answer any objections.
- Stay in the background. The salesperson who knows the
buyer's requirements can better emphasize the features of your
home when you don't tag along. You will be called if needed.
- Why put the cart before the horse? Trying to dispose of
furniture and furnishing to the potential buyer before he has
purchased the house often loses a sale.
- A word to the wise. Let your Baby Boomers & Beyond Realty
sales associate
discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the
buyer. The Baby Boomers & Beyond Realty sales associate is best qualified to
bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.
- Baby Boomers & Beyond Realty sales associate sell better. Show your home to
prospective buyers only by appointment (or scheduled Open House
event) through your Baby Boomers & Beyond Realty sales associate office. Your
cooperation will be appreciated and will help close the sale
more quickly.