Seller Tips

10 Tips To Sell Your Home Faster & For More Money
No matter how lovely your house is, you can improve its marketability before you put it on public display. You should also have a marketing plan that utilizes today's technology to get your message out to the people who are most important to you ... BUYERS.

Advertising & Promotion
Let's assume for the time being that you have the prettiest home in your neighborhood and it's in perfect condition. Believe it or not, that means little to prospective buyers -- if they don't know it's for sale. "A statement of the obvious" you're thinking. But you would be surprised at how many homeowners think putting a sign in their front yard proclaiming "For Sale By Owner" is all they have to do. But in today's world one of the first places buyers will look for available homes is on the internet. It doesn't involve getting in the car, reading the paper or even calling a Realtor®. Many times they can get a good feel for the market by searching the internet, seeing pictures of homes, prices, amenities, etc. Therefore your marketing plan should include internet advertising. We can't over-estimate the power of the local MLS (Multiple Listing Service). Other places to advertise are real estate websites which have a proven track record - lots of visitors each month. Let's not forget the power of Google. Once you have decided where you will advertise your home, be sure to promote it properly. Buyers want to see pictures, virtual tours and they want data! If you don't know how to promote your home on the internet don't worry because RE Promotions has been helping Realtors promote their listings for years and we can help you too! Hiring us to handle your advertising and promotional needs will simplify the process and it could even bring you more money for the sale of your home. If you are planning to sell it yourself RE Promotions can provide you with our professional marketing services. Call us today.
Correct Pricing
Now that buyers know about your home, nothing sells it faster than price. Price is the single most important factor that can overcome just about any objection a buyer may have or any problem your house may have. The flip side of the coin... if you incorrectly set the price of your home you stand to lose money or even the sale you should of had. You have probably heard of a CMA - a Comparative Market Analysis. The definition: A listing of recent home sales in the neighborhood, used as a basis for price comparison. This is usually prepared by a real estate agent, but you can do it yourself if you access the listing of homes recently sold in your neighborhood. A CMA is (as stated) a basis. Other factors to consider are the amenities of your home compared to others sold, your lot size and location, the condition of your home, the marketability of your home (curb appeal, scent, clean and uncluttered, etc - covered in other Tips on this page) all play a role in the pricing. A common mistake homeowners make is to price their home "a bit higher" than they plan to actually receive after negotiation - assuming if they start out higher they will end up higher. Not true. You could end up reducing the amount of potential buyers, thereby reducing the amount of offers.
Nice Curb Appeal
When sprucing up your house for a sale, begin where the buyer does... at your curb. When the buyers pull in front of your home, THAT is the first impression they will get. Don't ever underestimate the importance of a first impression! A well manicured lawn, clean walkway, clean exterior walls and/or fresh paint, even your mailbox plays a part. A rusty, old, banged-up mailbox could send a negative signal to the buyers about what type of house you keep or it can also raise doubts on whether or not you have kept up on repairs. What about your front door? If it needs a fresh coat of paint do it. If your door has a knocker on it, is it worn and old looking? Spend a few dollars to replace it. All of these things play a part in the first impression the buyer gets before they ever walk in the door. Make them feel good about your home on the outside and you'll improve the chances that they'll feel good about it - on the inside.
Pleasant Scent
It has been documented that a scent can have a positive OR negative effect on how we feel and act. Shoppers spend millions of dollars on scented candles, sprays, plug-ins, etc. to make their home more pleasant. A negative aroma to your home could very easily turn off a buyer...even if your home is what he is looking for. The negative effect of an unpleasant scent could set off other "emotions" he has about your home and could ultimately cost you the offer. It takes very little money to make your home smell pleasant. Plug-ins and solids are just a couple of easy ways to keep your home smelling nice. You've heard about baking bread to help sell your house? Another way of putting it: a house that smells delicious sells itself. If you are a baker, try baking on the days you know the home will be shown. (Obvious note: be sure the kitchen is cleaned up and the oven is off if you plan to leave the house when a real estate agent shows your home).
Clean Interior
A carpet that needs vacuuming, a dirty kitchen table, dishes in the sink, etc. .... all of these things set off negative "signals" to your potential buyers. A clean house "tells" buyers it is a well-kept house. Keeping your home clean during the time it's on the market is the easiest and least expensive way to improve the marketability of your home. Don't skip this step! If your carpet needs to be professionally cleaned, have it done. Don't let a few extra dollars cost you thousands!
Uncluttered
Many homes appear too "busy", too crowded with furniture (which can make the home appear smaller than it is). Move some of the furniture into storage if necessary. Clear out those things you no longer need that are taking up space in your closets. Take the knickknacks off the tops of bureaus, tables, dressers, etc. If you have a desk in your home, be sure to clear it. In the kitchen keep your countertops clear of unnecessary papers, dishes and papers (such as mail) and other objects. Just about everyone wants a large kitchen with plenty of countertops. The more cluttered your countertops look - the smaller they look.
Dress Your Home For Success
Have you ever walked into a fully furnished model home and thought to yourself "Wow, this is nice"? Of course you have, everyone has! Then, after a further look around the place, you may have realized that wasn't right for you, either it's too small or too big, etc. The point is while you were there, you were visualizing living there. That's because the Builder hired a professional who knows how to make the home appear lived in, yet it's set up so the visitor will actually start to visualize living there herself. Little things like a vase of flowers on the kitchen table, a note book opened on a desk (a clean, uncluttered desk), a bath towel strategically placed over the side of the tub (as if waiting to comfort the bather). All of these things appeal to our emotions. It's not easy to dress your home like the professionals do simply because no one actually lives in a model home so it's easy to keep it looking THAT good. But try simple little tricks (mentioned above) or take an hour one day and visit any furnished model home and jot down some notes. Then try them in your home. You can almost guarantee that your competition isn't doing this!
Repairs Already Completed
Here is something else that you can bet your competition is not doing; Have your home inspected prior to putting it on the market, make any necessary repairs. The cost will vary depending on the condition of your home, but the advantage could pay off in a higher asking price and/or a quicker sale! Put yourself it the buyer's shoes: After seeing lots of homes, you just found 2 that meet your desires and needs. They are comparatively priced, about the same size, in the same area, etc. But one home has a full detailed inspection report AND a follow-up sheet showing what has been repaired ALREADY. Their agent should still recommend that they have it inspected but they already have peace of mind. This is yet another factor that could help sway them to make an offer!
Offer Buyer Lures
If you have successfully completed at least most of the 8 tips mentioned above, then offering a "lure" could be the factor that would sway the buyer "off the fence" of indecision. A buyer lure could mean cash back at closing - but you may want to wait to play that card (if necessary) during the negotiation process. Instead, offer a gift or a service that provides peace of mind to the potential buyers. Ideas include:
- Residential Service Contract (a warranty company will contract to maintain, repair or replace all or any part of the appliances, structural components, electrical, plumbing, heating, or air conditioning systems of residential property).
- A gift certificate to Home Depot, Lowes, Target, Wal-Mart, etc. Because every new homeowner will want to shop for home furnishings, dishes, appliances, etc. - regardless of whether the home was just built or is 50 yrs old.
- A home security system or free monitoring of an existing system for a specified amount of time.
  Rob Eppolito will cover the cost of one or more Buyer Lures.
Get Feedback From Potential Buyers
Nobody knows the exact reason why a potential buyer didn't make an offer on your home - except the potential buyer and most likely their Realtor®. Be sure to request feedback from potential buyers and/or their Realtor. You probably won't receive feedback from everyone you ask, but even if a few provide it, you'll have a better idea of why your home isn't selling and you'll be able to make educated adjustments - if necessary.

If you are considering selling your home
click here to find out what we will do for you.

Disclaimer: The views on this site are opinions expressed by this company. There are many variables about each home that makes it more or less marketable and valuable. We do not guarantee the information herein and we do not guarantee that if you follow these steps you will sell your home or sell it for more money.