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Complete Real Estate Resources for Today's Internet Saavy Consumer
The best opportunity to sell your property occurs within the first seven weeks that it is on the market. Studies show that the longer a property stays on the market, the less the seller will net. There are 5 main factors to accomplish this goal.
1. PRICE It is very important to price your property at the competitive market value when you list it. The market is so competitive that even over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell. Our goal is to net you the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time. An overpriced home: * Minimizes offers * Lowers showings * Lowers agent response * Limits financing * Limits qualified buyers * Nets less for the seller If you are unwilling to list at current market value, you may be better off not putting it on the market at this time. 2. CLEANLINESS Most buyers are turned off by even a hint of uncleanliness or odor. Sellers can lose thousands of dollars if they do not adequately clean. If your house is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell your home faster and net hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more. If you are planning on moving, why not get rid of that old junk now so that your house will appear larger? Make more space. Odors must be eliminated, especially if you have dogs, cats, or young children in diapers or if you are a smoker. You may not notice the smell, but the buyers do! Most agents have a difficult time communicating to their sellers about odor. If you employ an agent to get the most amount of money for you, please don't take offense if she must confront you about odor problems. 3. ACCESS Top selling agents will not show your home if both the key and access are not readily available. They do not have time to drive to individual offices for each house they plan to show, picking up and dropping off keys. They want to sell homes! The greatest way to show a house is to have a key! A lockbox containing your key is the best way to give agents access. 4. SHOWING YOUR HOME Paint is your best improvement investment for getting a greater return on your money. Paint makes the whole house smell clean and neat. If your house has chipped paint, exposed wood, or the paint looks faded, it is time to paint. If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated, or an unusual color, you may need to seriously consider replacing it. Many houses do not sell because of this problem. Don't think that buyers have more money than you have to replace carpet. They don't. They simply buy elsewhere. When your home is being shown, please do the following: *Keep all lights on *Keep all drapes and shutters open *Try to leave your home, so the agent and potential buyer feel free to discuss your home. It is awkward for buyers to thoroughly look at a house with the owner present. *Contain your pets so they don't jump on the agent or the buyer. Many people are afraid of animals or simply do not care for them. *Leave a number where you can be reached if you are leaving town, even if only for a weekend. 5. CURB APPEAL Your front yard immediately reflects the inside condition of your house to the buyer. People enjoy their yards. Make certain that the trees are trimmed so the house can be seen from the street. Have the grass mowed, trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away debris. Remove parked cars. This all adds to curb appeal. If a buyer doesn't like the outside, he may not stop to see the inside.
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