Sell Your Home in 2008 — Tips for the Competitive Edge
With an adjusting market upon us, the sale of your home might take longer than last year. What are some of the ways to help make your home more desirable in this market?
I’ve been a realtor in the Eastern Sierra since 1985 and in home improvements and decorating at Sierra Design Studio, Inc. since 1988.
I’ve seen plenty of homes that could use improvement in that time.
Now that we have new condos and homes on the market, like Stonegate, Snowcreek, Woodwinds, Tallas and 8050, it really makes the older projects look dated and worn.
In order to make your home or condo more appealing there are several things that can be done in order to get the sales price that you want.
I am going to write a series of articles to help homeowners improve their chances of selling their homes with little things that can go a long way.
The first thing that affects me when I enter a home is the way it smells. Regardless of the décor, if the home is musty, dusty, or just plain smells, it’s going to turn a sensitive buyer away. You need to clean the carpets or replace them, get rid of food in the fridge and make sure the trash is out before showing your home to prospective buyers.
Certain air fresheners are good at lightly scenting the air, but don’t over do it. Flowery fragrances’ over ill smells just won’t cut it. Try cleaning before trying to cover up.
If you have pets, especially indoor cats, make sure others do not have to be subjected to the smells of our feline friends. Your dog beds should be laundered weekly to help keep the house fresh, as well, keep your dog bathed so that your home does not wear its smell everywhere.
It goes without saying; a home that has cigarette or cigar smokers is going to need some serious attention. Nothing is a bigger turn off to non-smokers than to go into anyplace and be knocked out by the smell of stale smoke. It also pertains to wood smoke smell too. Make sure your home is free of all smoke smell for the best impression!
On a subconscious level, people are affected by smell more than any other sense.
Of course, if you want to make a great impression on a prospective buyer, have everything clean, fresh and be baking cookies to intoxicate them with a homey, loving mood.
Clean and sparkling window with give your home brightness and illuminate the interior. This subtle detail makes your home feel welcoming and inviting. Mirrors within the home should sparkle as well. Keeping all surfaces dust free and polished make any home feel cared for, which in turn will make a good impression on prospective buyers.
You will also need to de-clutter your home, if you want to win over someone who is comparing homes to buy.
After showing several properties last weekend to prospective buyers in the 1 million dollar range, the home that they would consider was the one that was tidy, uncluttered and turn-key. They could have moved right in and everything would be ready for them. Unlike another one that was a better buy, but it had remnants of the last visitors there and the place way in somewhat of a disarray. It’s hard for home buyers to “see past” the mess and it’s unfortunate for those sellers that someone isn’t keeping up with keeping the homes presentable. It’s a very competitive market right now and everyone is looking for “the deal”…
So be competitive and give your home the edge, if you really want to sell now.
Next month article continues “Sell your home in 2008”.
