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As
a homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your
property. When you take the following steps, you’ll help your RE/MAX
Sales Associate sell your home faster, at the best possible price.
The
easiest and most reliable way to improve the appeal of your home is to
enlist a quality home service professional. The right professional can
help you get everything in order - from repainting the kitchen to
providing a thorough cleaning - so you can stay focused on more important
things. Find a
contractor now.
- A
well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch
welcome prospects. So does a freshly painted – or at least freshly
scrubbed – front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves. If it’s
winter, shovel the walkways. The fewer obstacles between prospects and
the true appeal of your home, the better. Find
a landscaper or painter to help.
Here’s your
chance to clean up in real estate. Clean up the living room, the
bathroom, the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is
fading, consider some minor redecoration. Fresh wallpaper adds charm
and value to your property. If you’re worried about time, hire
professional cleaners or painters to get your house ready.
Remember, prospects would rather see how great your home really looks
than hear how great it could look "with a little work." Find
a cleaning service or handyman to help.
Dripping water
rattles the nerves, discolors sinks, and suggests faulty or worn-out
plumbing. Burned out bulbs or faulty wiring leave prospects in the
dark. Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with
your home. Find a
plumber, electrician or general contractor to help.
If cabinets or
closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick
in a prospect’s mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations
when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can
smooth the way toward a closing. Find
a handyman to help.
Homeowners learn to
live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the
stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging
overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for
uninitiated visitors.
Remember, potential
buyers are looking for more than just comfortable living space.
They’re looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and
basement are clean and free of unnecessary items. Find
a contractor to help.
The better
organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now’s the time to box up
those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
Bathrooms sell
homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly
caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best
towels, mats, and shower curtains. Find
a contractor to help.
Wake up prospects
to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of
excess furniture. Colorful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
Let the sun shine
in! Pull back your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright
and cheery your home is.
Turn on the
excitement by turning on all your lights - both inside and outside -
when showing your home in the evening. Lights add color and warmth,
and make prospects feel welcome.
Potential buyers
often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people.
Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they're
likely to hurry through. Keep the company present to a minimum.
Dogs and cats are
great companions, but not when you're showing your home. Pets have a
talent for getting underfoot. So do everybody a favor: Keep Kitty and
Spot outside, or at least out of the way.
Rock-and-roll will
never die. But it might kill a real estate transaction. When it's time
to show your home, it's time to turn down the stereo or TV.
Be friendly, but
don't try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with
a minimum of distraction.
No matter how
humble your abode, never apologize for its shortcomings. If a prospect
volunteers a derogatory comment about your home's appearance, let your
experienced RE/MAX Associate handle the situation.
Nobody knows your
home as well as you do. But RE/MAX Sales Associates know buyers - what
they need and what they want. Your RE/MAX Associate will have an
easier time articulating the virtues of your home if you stay in the
background.
When prospects come
to view your home, don't distract them with offers to sell those
furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.
When prospects want
to talk price, terms, or other real estate matters, let them speak to
an expert - your RE/MAX Sales Associate.
Your RE/MAX
Associate will have an easier time selling your home if showings are
scheduled through his or her office. You'll appreciate the results!
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