Seller's Guide

How to Make a Great Impression!

Selling your home is more than likely one of the most important financial transactions you will make. The goal is to sell your home as quickly as possible at the best possible price. Here are some suggestions to prepare your home for a quick sale.

1) OUTSIDE APPEARANCE:

• Your front door is the first thing buyers will see, so be sure it is fresh and clean.
• Make sure that your lawn and landscaped areas are well manicured.
• Be sure that your yard is free of refuse and leaves.

2) SAFETY:

• During winter, make certain to remove all ice and snow on walkways and steps.
• Keep all indoor and outdoor areas, especially stairways, clear and uncluttered.

3) LIGHTING:

• Open drapes and curtains as much as possible to let in natural light.
• Make sure that the windows are clean so your home appears as bright and cheery as possible.
• Turn on all of your outside and inside lights when showing your home at night so as to make your buyer feel welcome.

4) FIXTURES:

• Fix any leaky faucets. Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing.

5) IMPORTANT AREAS:

• Make sure doors, windows, and cabinets don't stick or have loose knobs. By fixing these minor flaws, you can increase your home's value.
• Closets can be an important selling point. Make them look bigger by organizing them neatly to display that your home has ample closet space.

6) ROOMS:

• In general, try to replace faded walls and worn woodwork with new wallpaper and fresh paint. It will increase the appeal and value of your home.
• Bathrooms can sell homes. Check and repair any damaged or discolored caulking around the bathtubs and showers, and be sure that the towels and area rugs are bright and clean.
• Display the full value of your attic, basement, and other utility space (including crawl spaces) by removing all unnecessary articles and debris, and repainting if necessary.
• Bedrooms should appear bright and cheerful. Remove all excess furniture, and be sure that bedspreads and curtains are freshly laundered and attractive.

7) ATMOSPHERE:

• Don't have too many visitors or family members present during a home inspection, as this can make the potential buyer feel uncomfortable and want to hurry through your house to get away from the crowd.
• Turn off the stereo and television so the potential buyer and salesperson can discuss your home in a relaxed environment, free of distractions.
• Keep pets from disturbing potential buyers by restricting them to the backyard or an alternative location, such as a friend's home, while conducting an open house.

8) APPROACH:

• Be courteous and friendly, but don't insist on conversing with the potential buyer.
• Never apologize for the appearance of your home. Should any objections or derogatory comments be offered, let a trained salesperson answer them.
• Let the salesperson emphasize the virtues of your home to potential buyers. If you can help with any questions, the salesperson will call you.
• Avoid trying to sell potential buyers furniture or furnishings which you are not taking with you before they have purchased the home. This can potentially lose the sale.

9) NEGOTIATIONS:

• Let your real estate salesperson discuss the selling price, terms, possessions and other factors with the customer. Our salespeople have been trained and are experienced. Let them bring your negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.

10) PROCEDURE:

• Use our salesperson. We recommend that your home be shown to prospective buyers only by appointment through our office.
• Cooperation on your part will be sincerely appreciated and will help us sell your home more quickly.