REMOVING ROADBLOCKS
By Christian Andréason - Bielstein
SELLER ... DON'T FORGET TO THINK LIKE A BUYER!
OK, you know your home better than anyone. You have lived there after all this time, right?
Well, when we live somewhere long enough we can tend to get used to seeing the same things day after day and become numb to important issues that might alarm us if we were noticing them for the first time.
So when it comes to selling your home, it always helps to immediately start thinking like a buyer!
Remember the saying? "Do unto others as you would have them do to you?" Well ... when a buyer sees you are going out of your way to make them comfortable with the purchase of your home, more than likely they will not be able to resist psychologically putting your home near the top of their list!
Before you even start dealing with any agents, I would advise getting together a group of your close friends, neighbors and/or family (or anyone who you know will tell you the absolute truth) and play a game.
Have everyone go outside with a pad and a pen, and as you start coming back into the house, start jotting down a list of things you would want to see done if you were to consider putting an offer on the house tomorrow.
Act like an inspector who is seeing the entire house for the first time. If you see something that needs tending to, write it down!! It is amazing how we see these same things all the time (and think to ourselves how we need to take care of them) but soon forget because something else distracts us!
So ... write everything you see as an issue down!
And once you ask me (your agent) to come on the scene, I can help you realistically go through your list and determine what is most necessary to do before your open house. Of course you want to use common sense and start on the repairs you know are major and important to accomplish, like terrible stains on the floor, foundation issues or pet urine smells.
The rule is: if you can see, hear or smell that something is wrong with your house, chances are a prospective buyer is going to as well!
TYPICAL ROADBLOCKS TO SELLING YOUR HOME
If your home is not receiving showings here are some things to consider:
Is the property overpriced?
(Please see my "Keep the Price Right" link.)
Is the outside appearance truly appealing to buyers?
(For more check out my "Improving Curb Appeal" link.)
If your home is getting shown but has not received any offers, it could be that your home is not appealing on the inside or that buyers feel the home is overpriced.
You might want to rethink your home's decor and purchase (or rent) new/more updated furniture. Or you might want to go the extra mile and hire a staging and/or landscaping crew.
Keep in mind: How you LIVE and how you SELL are going to be two very different methods!
Ask yourself honestly, is your living space being kept organized and clutter free?
Are the walls painted an inviting color or are they painted a neon color that makes them feel as if they just got shot with a stun gun?
Faded or bright neon-like paint colors tend to turn people off, where soft neutral or pastel colors are currently all the rage!
Does the buyer identify with you more than he or she can see themselves actually living in your home? This is very important! While you may enjoy all your pictures, books, memorabilia and collectibles scattered through out the house, buyers can actually become distracted by them. Personal items can often steal away a buyer's "imagination factor" (of seeing themselves ACTUALLY LIVING in your home.)
The biggest points deducted are from immediate impressions:
° dead or dying plants
° scuff marks on the walls or floors
° a bathtub that is stained and needs to be painted or re-caulked
° broken or cracked tiles
° stained sinks, countertops, toilets and toilet seats (toilet seats are very inexpensive to replace, so if there are any stains whatsoever, switch these out these immediately!)
° long cracks in the walls or water stains on the ceiling
° broken fixtures
° light switches that turn nothing on (make sure bulbs that have burnt out are replaced)
° out dated, peeling wall paper and borders
° animal heads on a wall - from hunting trips
° accumulated dust on furniture, ceiling fans and over door hangs
° stained, flattened, worn carpet
° dirty, unorganized kitchens
° squeaky doors
° doors or cabinets that do not shut
° garage packed to the hilt with stuff! (always try to put the bulk of your things in storage.)
° Keeping your home in SHOWING CONDITION will always require consistent effort on your part, as most showings can and will happen without warning. Have you allowed your house to be overly messy or in total disrepair during a showing? You never want to allow this to happen! If an agent (showing your home) becomes embarrassed about showing your property to his now displeased 'high-end' client, not only will he or she never return with other clients, they will put the word out to other agents within their company (and at agent meetings) that your house is unpleasant to show.
° Always be aware of your home's odor! This is one factor that can actually turn a prospective buyer off more than them actually seeing something in disrepair! If there is any trace of strong cooking or pet smells, dusty, musty or moldy smells ... 95% of the time you will have lost a sale!
If you are not willing to attend to your home's deferred maintenance (dilapidated roof, old flaking paint, worn floors, etc) you basically have two options:
1. You might want to consider drastically reducing your home's asking price -- keeping in mind that every home usually will sell at 'some' price, regardless of condition or other negatives.
2. Let the buyer know you are willing to grant an allowance for the item or items in need of repair. This is usually a really good selling feature, as many people like the idea of improving or picking out the items used in their new home themselves.
OK ... remember to whistle and stay positive as you work!
Your effort will pay off in the long run!
Christian
© 2007 Christian Andréason |