Thursday, September 27, 2007

Selling your home? Here are a few things to consider...

Lets face it, it is a buyers market, and it has been for months. The days of multiple offers and offers as soon as the sign is placed in your yard are gone. Here are a few tips to help sell your home. Home repairs are extremely important now. In the past, If a buyer wanted your home bad enough, they would jump thru hoopes and except a lot of things. Again, those days are gone. There are simply too many homes on the market to except just anything. Fix it, NOW!! First impressions do count, curb appeal is very important. I went to see an 800, 000 dollar home the other day. The home was vacant, and it looked like it. The mulch was bad, the gardens in the front were in need of some serious weeding and the lawn, although nicely cut, was brown. The home next door didn't help because it was perfectly manicured. Trim the shrubs, put down some fresh mulch, flowers, fresh paint if it is needed. Is the front door lock tarnished? Replace it! Is the welcome mat, "Unwelcoming", it's outtta here! If the exterior of the home looks great, it will give the impression that the inside will be great as well.
I always suggest that you neutralize and de-clutter. Look, your getting ready to move, so pack that stuff up, clear out some closets. Get it in boxes, put it in the basement or garage(neatly). Any buyer will understand boxed stuff, but a jammed closet will turn them off quicker then PECO on an over due account. If you are going to paint, and please do so if it is needed, PLEASE choose a neutral color. Forgets the reds and blues. Go with a mauve, or egg shell white, or irish linen.
Have you considered having a home inspection done before you put it on the market? You can do it. I did. I found out that I had a few minor things that needed to be taken care of and had them done. Go ahead, let that buyer have one done as well. It's their money. You can also share your inspection with a buyer. A home buyer will recognize the value of a house that doesn't need major repairs. Just do it!!
It's no secret that buyers are "wowed" by updated kitchens and bathrooms. Again, I went into another home the other day, only 600, 000, but the kitchen missed. Dark, old counters, cabinets that were ok, but if I were in the market, I would keep on going and not consider the home. There is nothing wrong with just re-facing them if the cabinets are structurally sound. Make sure everything matches!!
Another idea to give a buyer piece of mind, give them a home warranty. Warranties can be purchased thru companies like First American Home Trust. If you list with me, I will give you one!
These are just a few simple ideas to help. You need to go the extra mile to get your home sold. Homes are sitting on the market longer. There are over 4 million homes on the market now across America. You need to do something special to make your home stand out over your neighbors. If you would like meet with me, at no obligation to you, to discuss how I will market your home, Please give me a call at 610-613-2840. If you want to sell your home, you gotta call Rick! I'm Rick and thats all for now. Stop back again!!

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