Top 10 Tips For Selling Your Home In A Buyers Market
June 30th, 2009 | 
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If you have been watching the news lately you have probably heard the real estate bubble has burst. Properties around the country are sitting on the market much longer than in the past. Bad news for sellers, good news for buyers. With the downturn in the real estate market, what should you do if you need to sell your home?
If you are realistic in your asking price and properly prepare you home for sale, there is no reason you house shouldn’t sell. Set a timeline of when you need to sell by and start preparing today. The top 10 things you should do include:
1. Have a professional home inspection. Usually this is done on the back end, after someone has made an offer. By having it done yourself you can find out ahead of time all the little problems that need to be taken care of. Often it is these little things that can be a deal breaker at closing time and delay the sale of the house. You can also now offer your house with a pre inspection, letting prospective buyers know what items have been fixed.
2. Clutter. Get rid of it! The number one turn off for a buyer is walking into a house and seeing lots of clutter. Clean out your office. Pack away the kids toys. Clean out the basement and garage. Throw it out, pack it away, and get it out of the house. Empty out the closets. Buyers want to see lots of closet space. No matter how big your closets are, buyers won’t be able to tell if it is jammed full.
3. De-Personalize. A buyer has a vision of how their things are going to fit in. That vision can get distracted if all they see is family photos and all your collectibles. Pack it away and make your house neutral.
4. Clean! No one wants to buy a dirty house. A double spring cleaning is in order. Clean the grease and grime out of the kitchen. Get rid of the mold in the bathroom. Clean the dirt and cobwebs out of the basement. Dust in places you haven’t dusted in 10 years. Clean all the windows. Air out your house. A stale and musty smell is a real turn off. Keep it fresh and make it sparkle.
5. Paint. One of the cheapest ways to freshen up the inside of a house is with a fresh coat of paint. A good neutral color will do wonders. Patch the holes in the wall while you are at it. Don’t forget “ceiling white”. Another fairly inexpensive item that can make a room standout is by adding crown molding.
6. Landscape. Start with picking up the yard and any clutter. Trim up overgrown bushes and trees. Repair or replace any broken steps, retaining walls, gutters, concrete, fences or decks. Power wash your deck and give it a new coat of sealer or stain. Same with a wooded fence if it needs it.
7. Carpets and floors. Buyers love wood floors! If you have original wood floors covered by carpet, consider taking out the carpet and having the wood floors refinished. Replace old, worn or outdated carpet. Newer carpet should be professionally cleaned. New wood floors or vinyl floors can be an inexpensive upgrade.
8. Kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens can make or break a sale. A total remodel usually is not necessary. Depending on your budget, you can paint the cabinets, have them refaced or simply add new hardware. New laminate countertops are inexpensive. Replace appliances that are old and outdated. Make use of the space if you have room for an eat-in kitchen. Replace the sink and faucet if it is old. Update the lighting. Smelly dingy bathrooms are a turn off. New paint, lighting and an updated vanity will impress buyers. Regrouting old tile will make it look like new.
9. Staging. There are professionals that will come in and arrange your furniture to maximize your space. Old ratty sofas should be move out. Clear out all unnecessary furniture. You want your home to flow and look comfortable, inviting and clutter free.
10. Set a realistic price. Pricing your home 1-2 percent less than similar homes in your area will help close the sale. The higher your price over comparable homes the longer it will sit on the market.
Start preparing your home for sale today and you will have a buyer in no time. Not only will you sell your home quicker but by following these 10 steps you will probably get more money than you would if you did nothing.
Tom Smith
http://www.articlesbase.com/advertising-articles/top-10-tips-for-selling-your-home-in-a-buyers-market-61520.html
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What are some tips to sell a home in a slow real estate market (without just giving the thing away!)?
I’m trying to sell a home in the Orlando area where the market is sloooow. Any tips to bring in the buyers?
curb appeal and get the right buyer is the best answer. Making sure the house is listed at a reasonable price. Even if it is bottom line for the house.
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I wish I had some helpful advice! Our MA home has been on the market for over a year. We have dropped the price $110,000.00 (about 15%) and nothing is working. We have a BEAUTIFUL home in a nice area. The market just stinks.
The best advice I can give you is to price it low from the beginning. I think we might have been a little high when we listed it, resulting in a long market time. Due to the long time on the market, I think people might incorrectly believe that something is wrong with it or that it’s not worth the $$$.
I sincerely wish you the best of luck!!!
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if it is a large property, pool etc.. have a bbq open house.. let people see what a fun place it would be to live.. do it up well too.. Free dogs and burgers.. have some of your friends around too to take the pressure off the guests.. Nothing worse than being at a party where no one is talking… Have coffee brewing.. it’s a great smell..maybe some cookies.. it’s all transparent stuff, but it still works. Make sure you print out fact sheets for the guests.. include taxes, price, square footage, age, any remodeling that you have done etc, average costs of heating and water etc.
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Try a garage sale to bring in people. Are you working with an agent yet? If not contact me. You need it on the MLS as well in this slowing market.
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If you are trying to sell the house yourself that is a mistake. Find a good Realtor and let him/her do their job. A Realtor will tell you what price to market your house and what the selling price should be. The Realtor will tell you if you need to make any changes to your home to make more marketable. Remember, there is a difference in selling a house and in living in it.
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Many years as a Realtor.
back in 1991, another bad year for Real Estate I sold my big house. First off, I made sure it was very very clean, and without clutter, second I priced it based on actual sold comps at the time, third I offered a car to the buyer. It sold within two months.
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The house should look nice from the outside. Inside the house put away all clutter, keep it clean at all times, get rid of any junk in the garage, attic, or basement. How far away is it from Walt Disney? Some people would buy it as a vacation home if the realtor lists it as one.
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If on MLS offer buyers agent bonuses, also offer allowances to help pay with closing cost or redecorating cost.
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Get a realtor. An agent can tell you where/when/how to buy and will know how to negotiate the best terms possible for you. Try http://www.realestateforsaleinflorida.net
I’d check out the "featured" agents first, but if none of them cover your area the others in the directory are lovely as well.
Good luck!
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