Seller's Guide

20 Tips to Help Your Home Sell...
More Quickly and at a Better Price!

  1. FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE IMPORTANT!

    Remember, when a prospect comes to look at your house, the first thing he will see is your home's front door! Be sure that it is fresh and clean. Be sure your lawn and landscaping is well manicured and trim looking. Be sure your yard is free of refuse and leaves.

     

  2. WHAT YOU SHOW IS WHAT YOU GET!
    Faded walls and worn woodwork will reduce the appeal of your home. Why try to tell a prospect how your home could look ... when you can show him by a reasonable amount of re-decoration? A quicker sale at a higher price will result. Invest in fresh paint. It will pay dividends for you.

     

  3. LET THE SUN SHINE IN.
    Open those drapes and curtains all the way, so the prospect can see how bright and cheerful your home is.

     

  4. FIX THAT LEAKY FAUCET OR RUNNING TOILET.
    Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing. Stop the drip!

     

  5. LITTLE THINGS MEAN A LOT.

    Take a few minutes to check to be sure that your doors don't stick or have loose knobs on them. Don't forget your windows and cabinet drawers. Get all those minor flaws fixed since they detract from your home's value!

     

  6. SAFETY FIRST AND ALWAYS!
    Keep stairways clear and clean since this will avoid injuries around your home, as well as avoid detracting by distraction.

     

  7. FROM TOP TO BOTTOM.
    Display your attic and other utility spaces by removing all unnecessary articles. Organize what you desire to keep.

     

  8. BIG CLOSETS!
    Make them look bigger by having them neat and well organized to show that your home has ample closet space.

     

  9. BATHROOMS SELL HOMES.
    Make these rooms sparkle! Check and repair any damaged or discolored caulking in the bathtubs and showers, and be sure that the towels and area rugs are bright.

     

  10. BEDROOMS SHOULDN'T SLEEP!
    Keep these rooms bright and cheerful. Remove any excess furniture and be sure to use attractive and clean bedspreads and curtains.

     

  11. SHINE ON!
    Your home's illumination can be a "welcome" sign to that prospective buyer! Turn on all of your outside and inside lights when showing your home at night and they'll feel a glowing warmth as a result of your lighting.

     

  12. TWO'S A COUPLE & THREE'S A CROWD
    Don't have too many people present during a home inspection, since the potential buyers will feel like an intruder and want to hurry through your house.

     

  13. MUSIC SOOTHES THE SAVAGE BEAST
    but not the potential buyer. When showing your house, turn off that blaring radio or television. Let the agent and buyer talk freely and not be distracted.

     

  14. CURB YOU DOG!
    A dog is "man's best friend," but not when showing your home. Keep all pets out of the way and not underfoot.

     

  15. SILENCE IS GOLDEN!
    Be courteous and friendly, but don't try to "force" conversation with a potential buyer. He's there to inspect your home.

     

  16. BE IT EVER SO HUMBLE
    there's no place like your home. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. If any objections or derogatory comments are offered, let Mary or Ryan answer them - that is their job.

     

  17. STAY IN THE BACKGROUND.
    Their agent knows the buyer's needs and desires and can better emphasize the virtues of your home when you're not "tagging along." If there are any questions, he will call us.

     

  18. DON'T PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE!
    Trying to sell the prospective purchasers any of the furniture or furnishings which you're not taking with you, before they've purchased your home, can often lose the sale ... so "cool it."

     

  19. A WORD-TO-THE-WISE.
    Let Mary and Ryan discuss the selling price, terms, possession and other factors with the customer and/or their agent. They've been trained and have experience, so let them bring your negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.

     

  20. LET THEM CALL US!
    We recommend that your home be shown to prospective customers by other agents only after an appointment has been made with us. This will be sincerely appreciated and will help us make the sale more quickly. It will also allow us to log showings and promote your house prior to the prospects' visit. By recording their appointment, we will be able to follow up with their agent to get feedback for you in a timely manner.