The Selling Process

Pricing a home to sell

Market the property

• Homes are worth what the local market conditions will bear
• Price appropriately and measure price against the competition
• Pricing the home too high may reduce the number of interested buyers
• Pricing the home too low may create skepticism and raise unwanted questions about the home’s value
• The longer a home stays on the market, the deeper the discount may have to be off the original price

Use research and data

• REALTORS^® provide explanations of market data and a comparative market analysis that includes:
• Sales price for similar nearby homes recently sold
• Prices for homes currently on and off the market

Making a home move-in ready for prospective buyers

Look at homes objectively and think like a buyer

• Make it comfortable for buyers to see themselves moving in
• Think about ways to make the home more appealing – the less buyers have to change to move in, the more the home may appeal to them
• Give potential buyers a “blank canvas” – let them see themselves adding their own flair
• Consider repainting bold or bright colored walls – remove specialty wallpaper and replace with neutral colors

Freshen up, make repairs and pay attention to detail

• Considercleaning, de-cluttering, removing personal items like pictures, making cosmetic repairs, etc.
• Front yards and doors are key to making good first impressions
• Messiness or wear and tear on the outside gives the impression that the inside may not be cared for
• Consider tidying up the house for potential homebuyers by
• Removing clutter and clearing off counters
• Washing windows and screens
• Wiping off fingerprints from light switch plates
• Mopping and waxing floors
• Clearing the stove and refrigerator/freezer
• Polishing doorknobs and address numbers
• Cleaning carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke or pet smells
• Opening windows to air out the house
• Organizing the garage – lets buyers picture their cars in the space
• Scrubbing the grout and tile in the bathroom
• Putting out fresh towels, a new shower curtain and guest soaps
• Arranging closets to show off their space