Selling your Raleigh Home For TOP DOLLAR!
Getting the highest
possible price is the goal we set
for ourselves with every listing we take. We pride
ourselves on having the highest comparable sales in a large number of
neighborhoods. This is usually the result of terrific teamwork between the agent
and the seller. We have to expose your property to the largest possible market
(getting the buyer into the home), and you have to show the property at its best
(making him want to buy it). Remember, in Raleigh 30% of all sales are new
homes. This means that you are competing against model homes which have been
professionally decorated, so the more you can make yours look this way the
faster it will sell.
First
impressions are critical. We can spend thousands of dollars in
advertising, but if the buyer's initial reaction to the home is negative we're
back to square one. We will personally go through your home with you to
determine the most effective ways of presenting it, but in the meantime these
are some tips that can yield big results.
To start, pretend you are
the buyer. Go outside and sit in your car. Then get out and come up the front
walk slowly. Really look at your home. Have a paper and pen handy. Make a list
of all the things you would want fixed if you were buying
the home right now. Chances are these are the same items your buyer will want
you to fix.
Curb Appeal
This is the buyers first glimpse of your home and it had better be a good one!
Keep lawn and bushes mowed and well-manicured. Plant flowers in the front yard
to add color and warmth. Touch up any peeling paint and wash down front doors or
varnish if necessary. Check stucco around home for repairs needed, replace
missing roof shingles or tiles. Wash all windows and keep walkways and driveways
swept at all times. All garden tools, hoses, toys and clutter should be cleared
away and yard furniture neatly arranged. Check to make sure the doorbell and
outside lights are working properly. Park vehicles so they are not obstructing
the front of the house. They should either be inside the garage or across the
street.
Front Entry Hall
The impression the buyer takes from this area will
stay him through the rest of your home. A sour smell or dark "feel" to
the home in the front entry will make him think the whole house is that way, no
matter how bright and sunny the rest of the home may be. Make sure you
have a light pleasant odor to greet guests at the door, vanilla or cinnamon is
usually the best. There are wonderful scented candles on the market today that
can put a subtle "feel good" scent into the air at VERY low cost. Keep
all the lights turned on and blinds or curtains open to create that sunny model
home look. You may run up your utility bills a little, but the results are worth
it.
Kitchen
This is often the most important room in the house. Start by eliminating
"refrigerator art," any magnets, pictures or drawings on the
refrigerator. Clear counters of all but the most basic appliances. Check faucets
for leaks and re-grout or re-caulk tile as needed. Often kitchen cabinets show
water damage from splashing, a coat a varnish can work wonders here.
Bathrooms
Make them sparkle is our best advice here. Remove any
mildew stains and re-grout and re-caulk tile as necessary. Hang bright fresh
towels and remove any stains from sinks or toilets.
Create Space
This applies to both closets and furniture placement.
Furniture should never impede traffic flow from one area to the next.
Rearranging and removing excess furniture can create a whole new mood. Closets
should be cleaned out so that clothes hang freely. Piles of anything are bad, so
box it up and store it while your home is being shown.
Floors
Carpets should be freshly cleaned and tile or wood floors polished before
showing. If carpets are badly worn in traffic areas or are heavily stained or if
there is a strong pet or smoke odor it may be advisable to consider replacing
them prior to showing. Sometimes a "carpet allowance" in the listing
will compensate in this area, but most buyers see only what is there rather than
what can be done. Again we will be glad to advise you based on our experience
for your particular situation, and we do have access to flooring contractors who
offer substantial discounts to our clients!
Painting
One of the least expensive and most effective forms of upgrading your home
is a fresh coat of paint. Sometimes just a touch-up will do, again we will be
glad to go through your home room by room with helpful suggestions.
Lighting
Nothing makes more of a good impression than a light cheery home. Always
make sure all the lights are turned on and the blinds and curtains are open.
Model homes use high wattage light bulbs - if you have any particularly
"dark" rooms try using a higher wattage to lighten them up. Avoid
leaving bedroom or bathroom doors closed, it makes the house feel boxy and
un-welcoming. Soft music playing in the background is always a winner too.
Pets
As much as we love animals we suggest you try to keep them out of the way of
prospective buyers. Some people are quite allergic to different types of animals
and others are genuinely frightened of even the most friendly small dog.
Be Invisible
When the buyer comes to your door be friendly and welcoming and then
disappear! No matter how well you know your home a good real estate agent can
usually show it effectively. But your presence may keep a buyer from feeling
comfortable enough to really check it out as much as they would if you weren't
there. And statistics show that the longer a buyer stays in a home the more
likely he is to buy it! So a showing is a great time to take the dog for a walk
or run that small errand to the grocery store. If for some reason you must
remain home try and go out in the backyard so that the buyer can have some
privacy indoors.
Never Apologize
No matter what your home looks like or what its shortcomings may be, always
act as if it is the greatest place to live in the world! A laughing happy seller
is contagious. Your positive attitude will inspire a positive attitude in the
buyer!
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