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How To Sell Your House Quickly In A Slow Real Estate Market
elling an existing home in house appeal to the broadest
this emerging buyer’s range of buyers and creating a
market takes more positive first impression.
creativity than it did two years Although staging is widely used
ago. The inventory of homes has in the higher end of the real
more than doubled in many estate market, it is an
communities in the past twelve affordable
months, and the average length of consideration for more moderate
time that a house sits on the priced homes also.
market is also increasing.
Additionally, homeowners have the Property enhancement can deliver
challenge of competing with new several benefits. For example,
home sales where national the cost to de-clutter, clean up
corporations have large marketing and rearrange the furniture is so
budgets to lavishly furnish and much less than a $10,000 or
decorate models, and they even $20,000 drop in the asking price.
offer bonus incentives, such as Moreover, recent statistics show
new cars, to entice buyers. that a house that is staged will
sell for 7.4% more money, and in
Anyone wanting to sell their half the time of a house that is
house in today’s market needs to not staged.
consider how to make their
“product” stand above the rest. Before you call the realtor, I
Smart homeowners are turning to suggest the following 10 tips to
staging, also known as property get your house ready to sell.
enhancement, to gain competitive
advantage, enjoy higher selling 1. Develop “buyers
prices and to sell their houses eyes” - That is the ability
faster. Property Enhancement is to look at the house as the
simply the craft of making a prospective buyer would, to see
the dripping faucet, to notice neutral, yet comfortable
the rickety gate, and the many atmosphere is important in order
other minor quirks that you may for prospective buyers to be able
have learned to live with. It to imagine them selves living in
can be difficult to separate your a new space. Tone down dramatic
feelings about your home from the wall colors, put away all but a
house itself. Spend an afternoon very few family photos, and
going to a few open houses in minimize the knick-knacks.
your neighborhood and put on your
“buyer’s eyes”. When you come 4. Clutter eats
home, you will have a new Equity - When buyers step
appreciation for your own house, into your house, you want them to
from a buyer’s point of view. immediately see the best features
of the house, not to be
2. Repairs - First distracted by your stuff. You
impressions are lasting, and you can pre-pack any seasonal
only get one chance at it. With belongings and clothes that you
your “buyer’s eyes”, beginning at will not be using before you
the entrance to your property, go move. If you are planning to
through the house room by room, have a yard sale, schedule it
and around the yard too, and make before you even list the house.
an objective repair list.
Complete all those repairs before 5. Organize - Clear
the house goes on the market. out and organize closets and
cupboards, so they look more
3. Neutralize and spacious. Every room’s purpose
Simplify - How you live in should be obvious to the
your home is very different than prospective buyer. If it is a
how you want to display your guest bedroom, make sure the
house to sell. Creating a exercise equipment, camping gear
and Christmas wrap are out of house is being shown.
there, packed up, and neatly
stored in the garage. 9. Enhancement - Once
the house is repaired,
6. Clean – Clean – neutralized, de-cluttered and
Clean -Your house should be cleaned, it is time for a little
meticulously clean. Sparkling enhancement. The key areas to
windows, no pet odors, bright create visual impact are, the
tile grout, ceiling fan blades entry and living room, the
dust free, no fingerprints on the kitchen, the master bedroom and
doorframes, and carpets the bathrooms. Arrange the
professionally cleaned. furniture to highlight the
Everything in the house needs to architectural features of a room,
sparkle; giving the buyer the such as a great view, or a
feeling of a well cared for home. fireplace. If the furniture is a
little tired looking, purchase
7. Pet owners and Smokers inexpensive slipcovers and a few
take note - Move the kitty new throw pillows. Open the
litter box to the garage and drapes to let in natural light.
caged pets such as birds and In the bathrooms, clear counter
hamsters need to be kept tops of all the personal items.
exceptionally clean. Vacuum The only things to have out
daily if you have dogs or cats, should be a new, decorative soap,
or if you smoke. You do not want a hand towel and one ornamental
odors to be the memorable feature accessory. The same idea applies
of any room! in the kitchen. Keep the counter
tops clear except for one or
8. Personal Security maybe two appliances and one
- Create a safe place to lock up decorative element, such as a
all personal papers when the large bowl of fruit.
10. Have a Quick Clean up Potential buyers decide in the
Strategy - Be ready to show first 30 seconds whether a house
the house at a moment’s notice. is right for them. Make those
A plastic bin that will fit under precious 30 seconds work for you
the bed can be used to scoop up to sell your house quickly, and
and hide miscellaneous clutter, for top dollar.
and you will know where to find
those items later.
About the Author:
Sandra J. Carroll is a self employed consultant and a freelance writer, with over 30 years of business experience. Her company, Creative Changes provides home staging services, as well as organizing, space planning and storage solutions for homeowners and small businesses.
As a small business owner, mother, and owner of two homes Sandra has first hand knowledge of the challenges that entrepreneurs and homeowners are dealing with every day. Sandra studied business and humanities at the University of Arizona. She lives and works in the Palm Springs area of Southern California.
For more information about Sandra and her organizing and staging services, please visit:
http://www.creative-changes.com
Read more articles by: Sandra J. Carroll
Article Source: www.iSnare.com |
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