Changing That For Sale Sign into SOLD

The big news these days is the state of
the real estate market. And while generally it can be said it’s a
buyer’s market, it is possible to sell your home for a reasonable
price. To get that extra edge that could find the right buyer for
you, it takes a little homework and some elbow grease. Let’s get
started.

What’s your home worth?

Before you pick up a shovel – or a pencil – you need to honestly
answer a couple of questions. First, do you have to
sell, or do you want to sell? How quickly you think a
potential sale should move will drive your selling strategy.

You’ll need an idea what similar homes in your area are going
for, because that’s what the buyer will be doing. Match apples to
apples, bedrooms to bedrooms, and baths to baths. You can check the
newspapers for homes for sale around you; go to the county
courthouse to get the selling price of recent home sales nearby;
and you can try some online sites that provide housing prices.

There are some things to remember when looking online, however.
First, some online sites only carry the properties of agents who
register or subscribe to their service, so you may not see
everything that’s out there. Second, if you live in a rural area,
the online services may not have your location at all. They work
best in large urban areas.

Does your home appeal?

Now that you have a ballpark idea of what your home may be
worth, it’s time to start making sure you can get your price.
Realtors use the term “curb appeal” to describe how a home looks to
the prospective buyer as he or she drives up for the first time.
Curb appeal can sell a home on the spot. Or, if it’s lacking, it
can blind buyers to an otherwise hot property.

To get an idea of the curb appeal of your home, drive around and
when you come home, look at the property with the eye of a
first-time observer. Be brutally honest. Take a hard look at your
lawn, your driveway and the landscaping. Does your house look like
the home you’d want to buy? If you see things that
need to be fixed in order to lure a curbside customer, get them
repaired.

How about the inside?

And while you’re at it, take a hard look inside
your house as well for trouble spots that could stop an otherwise
positive walk-through. Plumbing problems, drywall flaws, and a
messy basement – whatever would stop a potential buyer in their
tracks should be taken care of. And if you’re balking at the
expense, think about this: Chances are you’ll have to spend that
money before the buyer will accept the house anyway. Better to take
those issues off the table now.

Since we’re working to convince someone else to buy our home, we
need to make that home appeal to them. And that means portraying it
as a space they can craft to their liking. OK, so you really loved
that indigo wall you painted in the bedroom. It’s had its run.
Paint the room white or some neutral color, something the potential
homeowner could easily customize if they wish.

And while we’re on interior decoration, you may opt for a little
professional help, once you get ready to show your house to
potential owners. Consider hiring a professional “home stager,” who
can advise you on how best to present your home’s interior. From
giving advice on electrical fixtures, to arranging furniture and
even giving you a re-decorating plan, home stagers can help you
secure a sale for more money. And, depending on the contract with
your real estate agent, you might be able to split the cost with
the realtor. Like any professional help, do your homework before
you hire. Get advice from neighbors and friends, check referrals
and get the contract in writing.

Marketing your home

Finally, let’s talk about getting your home “out there,” in
front of your potential buyer. It wasn’t too long ago that if we
wanted to sell a house, we went to a real estate office, signed the
contract – and waited. Now, we have more choices. Consider using
the Internet to help sell your place. The majority of homebuyers
now search online sometime during their quest. You can do a search
for “free online real estate listing,” or go to www.HomeBuyer.com, where you can post your
information and photos of your home for free. Once posted, you’ll
have a web address you can give or email in order to really put
your house on the market.

These are just a few of the things sellers have found that help
their properties stand out. And that is what sells. Make your
property special, standing out in the marketplace. And in this
economy – like every economy – creativity and hard work win the
race.