Selling Procedures

   No matter what the market is like in your neighborhood, there are certain procedures that you should follow to get your house ready for sale.  Unless you're planning on "For Sale By Owner", an important procedure is to find a top-of-the-line real estate agent and then listen to what he or she has to say. 

   Getting the "best price' isn't just zeroing in on the right price.  Getting the best price involves something as simple as washing the windows for the first time in 5 years and brightening up even the most shaded room.  Or getting rid of years of clutter.  If you can't do it yourself, hire someone to help you decide what to discard.  

Have a Garage Sale

   When a Buyer looks at a house, one of the things he or she is interested in is storage space. If the closets are filled, the impression is that space is at a premium. If the closets are uncluttered, even small spaces look as if they can hold great quantities.

   Too much furniture can also clutter a room and make it appear smaller.  If the real estate agent suggests that there is too much furniture in a room, consider putting the excess in storage.  Or re-arrange furniture and other possessions to make things look more open. The Buyer wants to see how his or her possessions will fit into your spaces. If it looks as if he or she can keep everything they own and still buy your house, then they will be more prone to buying.

Do You Own a Pet?

   You may be used to the smell of your dog or cat, but unfortunately some Buyers may be allergic to animals. The dampest parts of the house, can trap pet odors in the walls and the floors. When the humidity is high, the odors are the most noticeable. These areas of the house need to be cleaned professionally. If you choose to do it yourself, go to a pet store or one that sells commercial cleaning products and ask for their advice.

Nothing Like a Fresh Coat of Paint

   Another thing that impresses Buyers is a fresh coat of paint on walls and ceilings. If your agent recommends painting, they likely will request that the color be neutral -- white or off-white.  Don't try to do it yourself to save money.  Have the agent suggest a painter that will do a good and quick job for a reasonable price.  Don't worry if the job isn't perfect.  While Buyers often demand perfection in whatever house they buy, they probably won't not notice minor flaws when they look at the house for the first or even second time.  Indeed, no home is perfect and the new owners won't likely notice imperfections until after they've lived in the house for awhile.  And by then of course, minor imperfections here and there will be the property of the new owners.

Neatness Leads To Top Selling Prices

   Sellers are often too torn between wanting to make a good first impression and trying to meet every other obligation in their busy lives.  If you get a call from your agent saying that he and a prospective Buyer will be coming in an hour and the house is a mess, what are you going to do? . . .  Perhaps the best tactic is hire someone to clean regularly while the house is on the market.

   A regular daily cleaning routine can keep the mess from becoming overwhelming, especially the bathroom, which can takes as little as 3 minutes a day to clean. The problem is, of course, that it takes much longer than 3 minutes to get the bathroom to the point where it only takes minutes a day to clean. And for homes with several bathrooms, this commitment of course is that much greater. Spend some time each day tidying, cleaning the toilet, doing the dishes and just general straightening up.

   Remember, that first impression is so important, and you only get one chance.