Getting Started
Many factors, not just demand and supply, determine the success of a home sale. First impressions, appearance, desirable (or undesirable) upgrades, cost and of course location can all be deciding reasons.
Bruce Fife, with Century 21 Frontier Realty, suggests sellers “stage” how they would view their home as a property for sale. They would start by imagining they are looking for a house and, beginning at the curb, walk through, scrutinizing details as a potential buyer would.
Starting outside, they might consider sprucing up the landscaping, painting the front door and making the entrance welcoming.
Inside, ensure that rooms are clean, neat and tidy.
“We always tell people to declutterize,” says Del Johnson, with Prudential Preferred Realty. He also suggests simple updates like fresh paint and carpet. Major expenditures are not recommended, he says, because new homeowners will probably change the interior to suit their tastes anyway.
As important as the home is its price. Homes should be priced prudently from the beginning, when buyers’ interest and excitement are high. Sellers should also know their neighborhoods and accurately gauge the competition. “It’s extremely important to have it priced correctly in the beginning because overpriced houses help the competition sell,” Fife says.
Setting the Stage
Homebuyers have been known to approve or reject candidates based on appearance. Sometimes, general maintenance just doesn’t cut it. In addition to paint, carpet and flooring, Monica Mahla, with Coldwell Banker Real Estate Services, suggests homeowners upgrade countertops and fixtures to improve a home’s value.
“Kitchens and bathrooms are the most important things,” she says, but stresses they are not last-minute fixes – it takes time to do the job right.
Removing odors from carpets and upholstery is also a must. Investing in steam-cleaning might do the trick. “When buyers enter a home that doesn’t have a pleasant odor, it’s a negative experience,” Mahla says. “It’s a turn off.”
“General cleanliness also goes a long way,” she says. Details that may seem minor to the owner, like chipped paint or clutter, could make a potential buyer wonder what else has been neglected.
How an Agent Can Help
A house is a large investment and buying or selling one can be a huge undertaking. How can both sides ensure they are making the best decisions? By employing a certified realtor.
“Today, everyone wants to have a broker working for them and that’s so important,” says Dorothy Faber, with Northwood Realty. Both buyers and sellers benefit from agents, who can represent the best interests of either side and show them the ropes.
“Education is one of the best things we can do for someone new to the process,” says Lisa Carr, with Howard Hanna Real Estate.
“Educating buyers means providing market knowledge and information on financing options and home inspections as well as guiding the transaction through the closing process,” she says.
For sellers, marketing plans are provided to expose the home to as many buyers as possible. Realtors also educate the seller about the steps they can take to enhance their home’s marketability.
“It’s not as simple as putting a sign in the yard,” Carr says.
In addition, agents can recommend neighborhoods and schools, the best type of mortgage based on financial situations or resolve conflicts on either side of the table, Faber says.
“They work for you.”
