Buyers

So, let’s talk about curb appeal. The front of your home will be the very first thing a potential buyer will see. Take a moment to go out front into the street and stare back at your home. What do you see? What will a buyer see? What initial message is being sent regarding how the home in maintained? Buyers may believe that the outside of the home is an indicator of the condition of the inside. You never want to get on the wrong foot of a buyer, especially before they have even come inside.

Here are a couple of inexpensive ways to ensure the front of your home leaves a positive first impression. For starters, take a Saturday afternoon and remove all weeds. Weeds equal neglect in the minds of buyers. You should also get some weed killer to spray those small and pesky weeks that are rearing their ugly heads.

You will also want to trim all trees, shrubs and flowers. It’s important to remove as much dead growth as possible. Make your yard look nice, tight and neat. You don’t want the word “dead” popping up in the minds of someone who is about to walk inside your home. Take a look at your garage door and paint condition on the front of your house. Though you may not want to invest in a new paint job, quickly hosing off the dirt and garage door can improve the appeal immensely. Lastly, take a careful look at your driveway. Is there a lot of dirt, tire marks, oil stains and/or grease stains? If so, go down to your local hardware store and rent a pressure washer. Clean is the name of the game

In the event you only had enough time and money to invest in one area of the house, you should invest it in the area or room anyone walking in your front door sees first. It could be a large hallway, family room or living room. Regardless, you should pay special attention to this area. Remember, first impressions are everything. Make sure this area is always clean and clutter free. The first impression may be the only impression left on a buyer. If you have the time and money, it might be a good idea to give this area a fresh coat of paint. A clean and new look right away may carry over in the minds of a buyer when they walk through the rest of your home. It’s imperative, that as you continue to read the rest of these selling secrets, to keep this particular area in mind. You will likely gain more ideas.

In many real estate transactions involving married couples, the home buying experience begins with the person who spends the most time at home. In many instances, it’s the wife and this person may ultimately makes the final decision to buy or not to buy. Let’s face it, men and women are different and they look for different attributes in a home. Women tend to see certain and important details than their counterparts and it’s important to keep this in mind. They may want to entertain more, which means the kitchen is an important component. Also, they are the ones who may spend more time focusing on the needs of the children. Is your home kid friendly?

Keep in mind that many single parents are in the home buying market. Though single dads raising kids are not uncommon, statistically speaking, there are more single moms raising kids that fathers. You should always be considering their needs and wants when preparing your home for sale. Is your home a place that a single parent, or any parent for that matter, could picture them-self raising their children?

There’s an old expression, “Cleanliness is next to godliness!” Nothing could be further from the truth when it comes to selling a home. Obviously, it is critical that house remains clean throughout the entire selling process. However, you should give your home a thorough cleaning before any prospective buyer steps foot inside it. You may even want to consider hiring a professional cleaning service. You are setting the stage for your potential buyer and quality is everything. Here is a greatarticle we love from Houselogic.com “7 Spots You Keep Missing When You Clean that Everyone Else Notices.”

Flooring is important. Make sure all flooring, including tile, carpet and linoleum, is cleaned regularly. Don’t hesitate to have them professionally cleaned. Make sure all spots and stains are eliminated to the best of your ability.One item that is often overlooked are floorboards. Make sure to wipe them down. This will do wonders to the appearance of the rest of the flooring.

Also, don’t overlook the bathrooms. Remove all clutter and keep in mind that buyers oftentimes open drawers and medicine cabinets. Make sure they are spotless and organized. Pay special attention to the kitchen. Kitchens are often the determining factor in decisions to buy or not to by. Make sure the cabinets, stove, oven and refrigerator (inside and out) are clean and odorless. Trust me, your prospective buyers will be opening your refrigerator doors. If a buyer cannot picture themselves preparing a meal in the kitchen, the deal is over.

Bad odors are bad and can instantly turnoff a buyer, especially cigarette smoke, mold and pet odors. Science has proven that smells and scents can evoke strong emotions. What is the best part of a new car – the new car smell? What emotions does the smell of your home evoke?

Utilize spray and plug-in air fresheners. A good smell can hide a bad or old smell relatively easy. However, it’s important not to overpower the senses by aromas that are too strong. A buyer may think you are trying to hide something. If the odors are emanating from your carpets, this may be the time to hire a professional carpet cleaning service. They have the equipment and expertise to eliminate or minimize those bad odors. You may also be aware of the smell of your own home. Have a trusted friend or family member give you their honest opinion.

Enough can’t be said about the emphasis buyers place on the kitchen. A great deal of family time takes place in the kitchen and this notion is never lost on families. A great deal of your preparation time should be spent in this area of the home. Spend time cleaning the stove, oven, microwave, refrigerator and cabinets. Never leave the house without ensuring these items are sparkling.

Also, you will want to pay special attention to what is in your cabinets, especially the pots and pans. One of the first things the primary cooker will do is open your cabinets and assess space. Make sure they are organized. Eliminate clutter and that “hastily thrown in” feel. This might be a good time to start packing. Remove and pack any pots, pans, dishes and bowls that you don’t absolutely need during the selling process. Your primary objective is to leave them with the feeling that their kitchen supplies will fit comfortably.

Clutter is one of the biggest deal killers in the home selling business. The more clutter you have in your house or a room the smaller the house or room will feel to a buyer. Remember, most buyers want the biggest home for their money. Though you might not have the square footage, you can make your home feel bigger.

As the same with the cabinets in your kitchen, this might be the time to start packing. Walk through the home, especially the kids’ rooms, and pack any items that don’t bring value to the appearance if your home. Examine every piece of furniture and shelf in the home and carefully assess the items on them. If they make your home look cluttered and you don’t need them, pack them. Also, keep in mind that closet space is important to most buyers. Closets are the last place to store these items.

Once you have your house listed, you and your home are on call; much like a doctor is when they leave the office. Your home needs to be ready to show in a moment’s notice. You never know when that right buyer is in their car and ready to look at your home.

Make sure your house is always clean, smells good and the clutter is put away, especially in the kitchen and the bathrooms. Also, lighting is key. Keep the lights on, especially if your house is listed and may be shown when you are away from the home. Believe it or not, lighting is a key factor in the buying decision making process. Think about the last time you were in a furniture store. Furniture stores understand this principle and maximize the lighting in their showrooms.

Keep in mind that holiday weekends are a busy time to look at homes. Don’t fall into the trap of not showing your home during these times for the sake of family time. Some of the most serious buyers are sacrificing their family time to look for their next home You may want to put together a checklist. Make sure all items are checked before your leave the house. You can’t predetermine when the right buyer will visit your home, so always have your home ready.

These are only a handful of the many secrets and considerations to make when preparing your house for a quick sale. Once your home is ready, you are probably not the best person to determine how well your house shows. Enlist the help of family and friends who will give you their honest assessment. Ask them to pretend to be a buyer and preview your home. Have them start with the curb appeal by pulling up to the front of your home in their car. Allow them to walk the entire house as would any potential buyer. Remember, make sure you have some women included in the process in order to get the female perspective. The two most important things your pretend buyers can do is to take lots of notes and to be as honest as possible. Don’t get your feelings hurt. Your primary objective is to sell your property fast and the more honest feedback you have the better.

However, don’t get overwhelmed. Keep in mind that you can’t do everything. Only focus on the items that are critical, the items you can afford and the items you have time for. You will have to prioritize.

Imagine a professional sports team hitting the field without a coach or a game plan. There are so many moving parts to a game and so much strategy to consider. That’s why there are coaches. A lack of a coach can lead to confusion, uncertainty and eventually a loss. Selling a home is lot like a game. There are many factors to consider, such as pricing your home right, marketing your home, dealing and negotiating with buyers, scheduling the buyer’s vendors, ensuring the buyer is qualified for a mortgage and making sure any offers are properly put in writing in order to mitigate risk. That is where a licensed real estate professional can play a vital role.