Helpful Hints & Tips For Selling Your Home

Presentation

Presentation of your property is a critical factor in achieving the highest possible price. This is similar to detailing a car before you sell it. The emotional appeal required to stir the spirit of the buyers is unlikely to be generated by a poorly presented property. And a neglected building sends out 'warning signals' to prospective buyers.

First impressions are lasting - A bright, fresh and clean home invites inspection

Exterior

• Keep your lawn trimmed and edged - remove cuttings and clutter from yard.
• Weed and tidy gardens and flowerbeds - plant some flowers for colour and brightness.
• Trim hedges.
• Clean walkways of dirt and leaves.
• Repair fences and paint if necessary.
• Clean garage of all unneeded articles, wash doors and windows, high pressure clean driveway.
• Wash all windows around the house- repair damaged screens and windows.
• Remove objects from walkways such as children's toys and any plants that may obstruct.
• Make sure the Real Estate sign is visible and upright.

Interior

• Clean walls, floors and windows.
• Remove clutter from halls & stairs to give a wider appearance.
• Remove all unneeded articles from storage spaces & cupboards to show how large your storage spaces are.
• Repair plumbing such as leaking taps, toilets.
• Replace blown or broken light bulbs - add higher wattage bulbs for brightness in areas of low light.
• Repair sticking and squeaking doors, oil hinges and generally tighten all hardware such as kitchen cupboard doors, door knobs.
• Replace loose and cracked floor tiles where necessary.

In general, place in storage any items you do not need it makes the house appear larger, fix any minor defects especially marked walls (repaint if needed) and ensure your carpet has been cleaned and all the stains have been removed.

These Items Are Really Critical:

Kitchen

Bathrooms

• Neat, spotless and fresh.
• Fix minor things such as caulking around the bathtub and vanity.
• Place out new soap bars and fresh towels
• Polish mirrors
• Mould is a big turn off

Remember: Kitchens and bathrooms sell many homes!!!

When Showing Your Home

• Avoid having too many people present during Inspections. The prospective purchaser will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the home. Please try and "disappear" during showings.
• Please do not follow the prospective purchaser and the Agent. They know the Buyer's requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when alone. They will call you if needed.
• Love me, love my Pets - Does not apply when selling houses. Keep your pets out of the way and preferably out of the home. Hide the kitty litter
• Silence is golden - If home during the Inspection be courteous and honest if asked a question but do not force conversation with the prospective purchaser. They are there to inspect your house - not pay a social call.
• Be it ever so humble - Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it is lived in. Let your Real Estate Agent answer any objections that may be raised.

Other Points to Consider

• Open doors in the daytime and close them at night. Please Turn on all lights or let us turn them on for the entire showing.
• Strong odours can ruin a sale. Make sure your home is as fresh as possible.
• Not discussing price, terms, possessions or other factors with prospective purchasers is best. Refer them to your Agent.
• He or she is better equipped to bring the negotiation to a quick and favourable conclusion.

PLEASE remember that this is not meant as criticism of your property, but merely as an aid to market your property more effectively.

• Analyzing Your Pricing Strategy
• Am I selecting a Agent based on services or price?
• Request my free report "Selecting an Agent"
• Is the local market rising, falling or staying even?
• Is my opinion of value based on the actual neighborhood sale prices or the asking price?
• How many homes in this area are competing against mine right now?
• How does my home compare with those in the area?
• Have any neighboring homes been on the market too long? Why?
• Is my home consistent with, larger than or smaller than the surrounding homes?
• Which improvements have I made since purchase that will actually increase value? Which improvements will not?
• Are my financial needs influencing my asking price?
• Am I willing to price right and stand firm?
• What is my gain by buying in the present market?
• Are the benefits of moving important enough to price my home at fair market value?

Need More Information ?????

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