Six Tips for Selling Your Home in a Shifting Market
While the shelves full of novelties, mementos and family photos are treasures to you, prospective buyers need a “clean landscape” in which to envision their own personal possessions. Clear away the clutter, box up the personal items and store them. This presents a better “showplace” and also safeguards those items precious to you when your property is being reviewed by potential buyers.
“Curb Appeal” has never been more important than in a changing market. First impressions are everything and your home can be a masterpiece inside but if your outside is drab, dirty, cluttered or unkempt you can be sure that your prospective buyers will drive on by. Polish or replace hardware such as door knockers, knobs and light fixtures. Plant colorful flowers in the beds, trim hedges, keep your lawn tidy and consider a nice accent piece for your porch. If your door looks faded or hipped, bring it back to life with a fresh “sand and paint” job!
Consider hiring a professional to “stage” your house before prospective buyers begin coming through your door, especially if your house has been vacant for a while. A professional stager will generally charge between $1,000 and $2,000, and arrange home furnishings so that prospects can more easily envision their own furniture in the house. At the same time, an experienced stager can add a touch of class to your home.
Offer buyer’s agents a four percent commission rather than the traditional three percent, along with closing cost assistance to buyers. Closing cost assistance is especially attractive now that credit has tightened signicantly and 100% loans are next to impossible to obtain.
As a real estate professional, know that I’m always here to help. Whether you have questions regarding the shifting market, how to best show your property or even want to learn how much your home is worth today I can help you find the answers. Call me – I’m a resource you can count on and an advocate you can trust.