10 STEPS TO A QUICKER SALE

1. SET THE STAGE
One of the major factors in getting your house ready to sell quickly is, simply put: make it attractive. Most buyers select their home based on emotion and justify that decision with the facts, so it is important to make the house inviting and pleasant. Yours is not the only property the prospective buyer will see. You are competing with model homes and homes that have been professionally decorated.

2. START WITH THE OUTSIDE
Are the shrubs overgrown? How does the grass look? Do the flower beds need weeding? Try very hard to see your grounds through an independent observer’s eyes. Trim the shrubs or plant new ones if they are lacking. Houses with no landscaping in the front loose thousands of dollars of value in the mind of the buyer. Adding a few well-placed blooming flowers adds appeal. Next, go around and clean up the yard. Remove any toys, tools and excess stuff. Remember the test: If you don’t see it in a model home yard, don’t have it in yours. The cardinal rule is: “The way you live in a home is not the way you sell a home.”

3. NOW LOOK AT THE EXTERIOR
Is the paint fading or chipping? Is the color outdated or too personal? Is mildew or mold growing? Is the house needs painting, choose a neutral color. Stay away from trend colors, they may not appeal to others. If you can’t re-paint, consider pressure washing. Always give the front door and the door trim a fresh coat of paint or stain even if you paint nothing else. Buyers stand at the front door waiting to get in, give them a good first impression.

4. NOW GO INSIDE
Experience tells us that there should be no more than two things on any flat surface – like on the top of your dresser, the kitchen counters or over the fireplace. That may be extreme, but the logic isn’t. The idea is for the house to “show big” and that means showing off space. Remember the cardinal rule from #2. Go through each room and pack up 30% or more of the accessories. If you doubt the wisdom in this, visit a model home and compare their countertops with yours, their coffee table, end tables, plant shelves and bookcases with yours.

5. OFF-WHITE PAINTED WALLS ARE BEST
If painting is required, use safe neutral tones. Paint using flat latex or eggshell except in the kitchen and bathrooms where you will use semi-gloss latex. If walls are dirty, experiment to see if scrubbing them is easier than painting. A good rule of thumb is if something needs repair – repair it. If a room needs painting – paint it. Repair cracked plaster, loose door knobs and crooked light fixtures. And correct any faulty plumbing – it’s going to come out in the home inspection anyway.

6. MAKE YOUR HOUSE SPARKLE
The important thing is to clean everything in and out of sight. Shampoo rugs and wax floors. Wash the walls. Clean ceiling fans and light fixtures. Wash windows and clean blinds or drapes. Remember to keep your house light, bright and open. If you do not have the time or the inclination, hire someone to thoroughly clean your house. Think of this as “detailing” a car before you sell it. The extra “spit and polish” will be money in your pocket.

7. PETS SHOULD BE OUT OF SIGHT, OUT OF SMELL
If you have pets, you need to get rid of pet odors and it is recommended that the pets themselves be kept out of the house during showings if possible. Many people are uneasy around animals and it may detract from the buyer’s attention. Additionally, many people associate pets with possible damage – even if they themselves have pets. Put a small uncovered dish of vinegar in the room where your pet sleeps. This will remove the pet smells.

8. TACKLE THAT THING CALLED THE GARAGE
This area is the “catch all” where everything goes that has no place to go, so for most people, it is usually a mess. Therefore, if your storage area is neat, a buyer would surmise that your must really take good care of the whole house. Empty everything out of your garage and hose down the floor. Wipe down the hot water heater and polish the copper pipes. Put everything back into the garage piece by piece and throw out what you will not be taking with you – or have a garage sale. Getting rid of the clutter can make all the difference.

9. LIGHTING PLAYS AN IMPORTANT PART
During the day, have all your blinds and curtains open. Turn on some of the lights as well. For evening showings, keep the lights on and the ceiling fans on low. The first thing you do not want a potential buyer to see is a dark house or make them hunt for a light switch. Remember the cardinal rule.

10. AND FINALLY…
Turn off the television during showings of your house, it is distracting. Put on soft neutral background music. Once you have set the stage, leave the house so the agent can show it. Prospective buyers can more easily look at a house with no distractions. They will also feel free to ask questions of their agent. Buyers can mentally move in better without the current owners hanging around. And they will spend more time looking at your home instead of feeling rushed, which is exactly what you want. Watch out for food smells, mildew smells and cigarette smoke. Use scented candles but not incense. One last thing, make sure your air filters are clean.