Success in selling a listing can boil down to minute details.
It is amazing how something like the driveway being too steep,
can kill a sale. This detail is not changeable; however there
are many details that can be changed to improve the salability
of a house.
* Paint color * Lawn health * CLEANLINESS * Yard maintenance
* Flooring condition * Kitchen appliances * Caulking in bathrooms
There are so many details that the home owner can affect and
some are accomplished with just elbow grease!
In explaining the preparation of the house for sale, it is
best to clarify to your clients that the house is no longer
their home. It is a product that they are selling. Once this is
established, it is easier for the homeowners to see the changes
that need to be made without getting defensive about their
cleanliness or décor (or lack thereof!).
As their agent, it is best for you to walk through the house
room by room with the home owners. In each room, check the
condition of the paint, flooring, plumbing, and electrical. Both
the inside and outside of the door needs to be in good shape.
Paint is a quick and cost effective way to spruce up the house.
A professional cleaning can do wonders for an old carpet. Make
sure to choose neutral colors when replacing carpets and paint.
A very important step in preparing the house for sale is DE
CLUTTERING. Remove any unnecessary appliances, accessories, and
photos. Remember, the buyer wants to picture themselves in the
house. By presenting the de-cluttering as a way to kick start
the moving process, you can take the sting out of telling them
to put away the photo of Grandma Sue. Any extra décor and
furnishings need to be removed and stored. Don't use up all of
the storage space in the house-as it then looks like there is no
storage!
Once the de-cluttering is done, the furniture needs to be
edited to bare minimum. This brings a feeling of spaciousness to
any size room. By placing furniture to emphasize the positive
attributes of the house, such as a grand fireplace or wide open
entryway, you are directing the potential buyers to see the
house in its most positive light.
The most effective tip that you can give your clients is to
CLEAN the house. If you think that they can afford it, recommend
that they hire someone to do a professional cleaning. Remind
them that the insides of closets and cupboards and appliances
will be viewed. Move pet beds and litter boxes to a place out of
sight and out of smell.
It is a lot of work to prepare a house for sell-but there is
a carrot at the end of the stick. Every effort that they make
will bring more money to the bottom line. It is that simple.
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