Trying To Sell?

People often watch television shows, read magazines, and surf the net for tips on how to sell their homes. As a real estate professional, I am often in meetings with people who are thinking of having me list their home and find them quoting HGTV or some other venue which has information about selling. I applaud those who take the time to know what the market demands, and make the effort to see that their property is market-ready. But there are some things which aren't always stressed, yet they are important:

1. How your home looks when the potential buyer drives up can make or break your ability to receive an offer. Touch up flaking paint, replant beds where the shrubbery has gotten out of control or is overshadowing your house, and mulch the flower beds and be sure the front walk and porch are kept clean and neat.

2. Wallpaper is passe'. Strip it off, treat and paint the walls with a fairly neutral color. If people see wallpaper or anything else which is going to require work on their part to "overcome," they don't make offers - they run screaming from the house and move on to the next property!

3. Empty houses can be a turn-off. How much more bland a space than a neutrally painted emply room can there be? Leave just enough in the house to add a bit of life and color without personalizing the house too much; if you can't do that, consider paying a professional home stager to 'warm' things up a bit.

4. Make sure all maintenance is current; repaint areas where paint is flaking, and that the roof shingles aer all present and accounted for. Deferred maintenance will turn buyers off - big time!