Selling Tips

A Sellers Market means there are more buyers than available homes
Many sellers receiving multiple offers and in many cases above the listed price
Homes are selling fast - sense of urgency driving up prices
Interests rates are still at historic lows which means more people can afford a home and more home
Above conditions not expected to last indefinitely

A Sellers Market means there are more buyers than available homes
Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.
Get your house market-ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it.
Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you’ll find a seller.
Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.
Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.

Make your home more appealing for potential buyers with these quick and easy tips
Trim bushes so they don’t block windows and cut down on light
Buy a new doormat
Put a pot of bright flowers (or a small evergreen in winter) on your porch
Put new doorknobs on your doors
Put a fresh coating on your driveway
Edge the grass around walks and trees
Keep your garden tools out of site
Be sure kids put away their toys
Buy a new mailbox
Upgrade the outside lighting
Use warm, incandescent light bulbs for a homey feel
Polish or replace your house numbers
Clean your gutters
Put out potpourri or burn scented candles
Buy new pillows for the sofa
Buy a flowering plant and put it in a window you pass by frequently
Make a centerpiece for your table with fruit or artificial flowers
Replace heavy curtains with sheer ones that let in more light
Buy new towels
Put a seasonal wreath on your door

Hire a cleaning service. A spotlessly clean home is essential; dirt will turn off a prospect faster than anything.
Mow your lawn, and be sure toys and yard equipment are put away.
Serve cookies, coffee, and soft drinks. It creates a welcoming touch. But be sure the kitchen has been cleaned up; use disposable cups so the sink doesn’t fill up.
Lock up your valuables, jewelry, and money. Although the real estate salesperson will be on site during the open house, it’s impossible to watch everyone all the time.
Turn on all the lights. Even in the daytime, incandescent lights add sparkle.
Send your pets to a neighbor or take them outside. If that’s not possible, crate them or confine them to one room (a basement or bath), and let the salesperson know where to find them.
Leave. It’s awkward for prospective buyers to look in your closets and express their opinions of your home with you there.

Put fresh or silk flowers in principal rooms for a touch of color
Add a new shower curtain, fresh towels, and new soaps to every bath
Set out potpourri or fresh baked goods for a homey smell
Set the table with pretty dishes and candles
Take one or two major pieces of furniture out of every room to create a sense of spaciousness
Put away kitchen appliances and personal bathroom items to give the illusion of more counter space
Lay a fire in the fireplace or put a basket of flowers there if it’s not in use
Depersonalize the rooms by putting away family photos, mementos, and distinctive artwork
Turn on the sprinklers for 30 minutes to make the lawn sparkle

The closing date. See if the date the buyer wants to take title is reasonable for you.
Date of possession. See if the date the buyer wants to move in is reasonable for you.
The earnest money. Look for the largest earnest-money deposit possible; since it is forfeited if the buyer backs out, a large deposit is usually a good indication of a sincere buyer.
Fixtures and personal property. Check the list of items that the buyer expects to remain with the property and be sure it’s acceptable.
Repairs. Determine what the requested repairs will cost and whether you’re willing to do the work or would rather lower the price by that amount.
Contingencies. See what other factors the buyer wants met before the contract is final—inspections, selling a home, obtaining a mortgage, review of the contract by an attorney. Set time limits on contingencies so that they won’t drag on and keep your sale from becoming final.
The contract expiration date. See how long you have to make a decision on the offer.

Give your forwarding address to the post office, usually two to four weeks ahead of the move
Notify your credit card companies, magazine subscriptions, and bank of the change of address
Develop a list of friends, relatives, and business colleagues who need to be notified of the move
Arrange to have utilities disconnected at your old home and connected at your new one
Cancel the newspaper
Check insurance coverage for moved items. Usually movers only cover what they pack.
Clean out appliances and prepare them for moving, if applicable
Note the weight of the goods you’ll have moved, since long-distance moves are usually billed according to weight. Watch for movers that use excessive padding to add weight.
Have a “first open” box with the things you’ll need most—toilet paper, soap, trash bags, scissors, hammer, screwdriver, pencils and paper, cups and plates, water, snacks, and toothpaste.

Owner’s manuals for items left in the house
Warranties for any items left in the house
A list of local service providers—the best dry cleaner, yard service, etc.
Garage door opener
Extra sets of house keys
Code to burglar alarm and phone number of monitoring service if not discontinued