The “Sell My House” Guide
33
“Inside Secrets” The Pros Use To Sell Homes Faster
And For More Money!!
The following tips are used by top Real Estate Agents and successful home sellers to get their homes sold faster and to maximize their profits.
Remember, putting a little money into your home before you list it can pay off bigger dividends when you sell it.
Many of the tips will help you to get the most out of your house, and the best part is many of them are dirt cheap to do!
Just using a few of these tips can help make your house stand out and get it sold quicker and for more
profit!
The “Sell My House” Guide
33
“Inside Secrets” The Pros Use To Sell Homes Faster
And For More Money!!
Courtesy of
Kenner Kee
Kee Realty Group at Keller Williams
704-701-7431
kennerkee@kw.com
http://kennerkee.yourkwagent.com/
Tip #1: Let There Be Light!
It's a good idea to go spend a few dollars and pick up a couple packs of 100 watt light bulbs at the store. They will go a long way toward making your home look light and bright. We recommend that you spend a couple of extra bucks to get the new "Reveal" type light bulbs. These work on a different wavelength and are very close to the color of real sunlight.
Tip #2: Paint
While you might not have the time or the money to paint your entire house, you should paint the front door and, if necessary, the entry area around the front door. We're trying to make sure any buyer who walks in has a good first impression. If you don't have any matching paint left over from the last time your home was painted, remove a wall plate or other fixture. Take it with you to the paint store so they can give you a can of
matching paint.
Tip #3: Make Your Yard Larger
Ok, so maybe it's impossible to actually make your yard larger, but it's relatively easy to make it look larger than it really is. Trim back overgrown shrubbery, mow the lawn, pull any stray weeds, and cut any dead branches from your trees. All of these items will help the appearance of your yard, as well as making it look bigger
Tip #4: The Bathrooms
People are very picky when it comes to the cleanliness of kitchens and bathrooms. Take as much time as necessary to make these rooms sparkle. Clean any rust stains from your toilet, scrub the tile and shower doors and get rid of any mildew stains. Here's a tip: if you have calcium, lime or rust stains, try CLR or Lime-Away. Both of these products make the process of removing stains a snap
Tip #5: The Magic Of Mirrors
Mirrors can provide a greater sense of space and elegance when properly placed. Be careful not to overdo it, but when placed properly throughout your home, each area will seem larger to the potential home buyer. Try looking in your attic or basement for any old mirrors, but be sure they have a nice frame or at least give the frame a new coat of paint. You may also want to visit a local flea market or garage sale- you can often find a great deal on an old mirror or two. Putting one-foot square mirrors on a closet door in the master bedroom is always an attractive touch
Tip #6: Walk The Dog
If you own a dog, it is a good idea to take it on a walk when potential buyers are
coming to view your house. Many people are allergic to both cats and dogs. Your dogs bark may be worse than its bite, but if it's presence alone could possibly create tension for the buyer, it takes away from the overall emotional experience of looking at the
home. Play it safe and temporarily relocate pets.
Tip #7: Out Of The Closet
Remove as many items as possible from your closet and pack them up or temporarily store them elsewhere. Fewer items in a closet will always make the closet (especially a walk-in closet) look more spacious
Tip #8: Window Coverings
When your house is for sale, open all your curtains and blinds. Your house will look much larger and much brighter. Of course, if you take this advice, you need to make sure that your windows are sparkling clean and that any window screens that are tattered or full of holes are replaced.
If you have a window that faces something unattractive like an unkempt neighbor’s yard or some other eyesore, keep the curtains drawn in that room
Tip #9: Wallpaper
Even if you hate wallpaper, you should be very interested in it when it comes time to sell your home. Some walls are so beat up after all the years of wear and tear, that paint alone might not make a huge difference.
In these cases, use wallpaper, which won't require the re-texturing of your walls that paint might. Be sure to select wallpaper that has a universal appeal rather than a personal touch. Also, be sure to pick a paper that won't require the pattern to be matched when it's hung. This will save you time as well.
Tip #10: For Your Appliances
The kitchen area is a huge selling point for many homes. Buyers WILL notice broken and missing knobs, odd stains and appliances that don't match. And here's a tip: If you have appliances that don't match, hire a pro to come out and spray the appliances so they are the same matching color. That sure is a lot cheaper than buying new
appliances!
Tip #11: Speaking Of The Kitchen
This is an old Real Estate trick. You should keep a pack of easy bake cookie dough in your refrigerator at all times. If you know that your Real Estate Agent will be bringing a prospect to come see your home, you can pop some cookies in the oven about 30
minutes before their expected arrival. Everyone loves the smell of fresh baked cookies!
Tip #12: The Driveway
If you have a concrete driveway, here are a couple of tips. First, if you have any weeds coming up between the driveway cracks, get rid of them. Second, if you have any type of oil or other stains, use drain cleaner on the stain and watch them disappear before your eyes!
Tip #13: Offer To Make Payments
Offer to make the buyers first three mortgage payments. This looks very attractive in your advertising and makes your home stand out from the rest. Many people like the idea of a grace period after moving into a new home, but usually when it gets down to negotiating, a lower price seems to prevail. Be sure you (or the buyer) are using an experienced lender, as seller concessions can be a little confusing.
Tip #14: For Pool Owners
If you have a pool, make sure it is open, cleaned and has sparkling clear water at all times. Even if it's the middle of winter, do this. You want to remind the potential buyer of how great it is to own a pool. If you have pool furniture, get it out, clean it, and set it up.
Tip #15: Clean The Carpets
This one sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised at how many sellers try to save a few bucks and skimp on something like carpet cleaning. Be a smart seller and go the extra mile. It will help your home sell faster, for sure.
Tip #16: Park Down The Street
Extra parking outside your house will help make your driveway, and yard, look larger. Also, remove children's toys, garbage cans, or any other unnecessary items from your front yard. All the buyer should see is a well groomed property!
Tip #17: Always Sell First
There are a number of reasons we advise you not to move out before you sell. The main reason is that vacant homes take longer to sell. Did you know that scientific tests have proven, time and time again, that vacant homes are more difficult to sell, because they appear to be lonely, cold, forgotten places.
Tip #18: Don't Hang Around
When your Real Estate Agent is showing your home to potential clients, it might be a good idea for you to get out and do some of those errands you've been putting off. Many buyers feel very uncomfortable viewing the home while the owner is lurking in the shadows.
Tip #19: Make A List
Make a checklist to review any time your Agent calls with a prospect that wants to see the house NOW. Nothing fancy, just a list of reminders of all the preparatory tricks and tips we've given you. That way, you'll be prepared and know what needs to be done before buyers view your house. If you are in a hot market and have a lot of traffic, this could come in quite handy!
Tip #20: Buy Some Potted Plants
Buy a few potted plants and place them around your house. They not only freshen the air, but they also make your home look better too. Green is the best. Studies have shown that the human eye is soothed by the colors green and blue. This will help people feel relaxed and at home when previewing your house. The best part is these plants will help brighten up your new home, after they have helped to sell your current home!
Tip #21: Nix The Knickknacks
Many times, if you have too much "personal" memorabilia lying around, it can make the potential buyer feel as if they are intruding into someone else's home and personal life. Avoid this by removing family photos, and personal items that are clearly part of some special memory.
Tip #22: Paint Walls A Neutral Color
If your home is decorated in dark or unusual colors, you're going to scare off a lot of potential buyers. It will be worth your while to paint your walls a neutral color, such as off-white. If you’re not up to painting your entire house, at least paint the areas that make the biggest impression, such as the foyer, living room, dining room, kitchen and master bedroom.
Tip #23: Make It Shine
Polish any brass, gold, or chrome fixtures in your home. If you have highly tarnished chrome, try using Mother's Mag and Aluminum Polish. It works great and you can pick it up at any local auto store.
Tip #24: Water The Lawn
Use your sprinklers as much as possible to ensure everything in your yard is green. Turn your sprinklers on right before any prospects arrive. Newly watered landscaping has a fresh, clean scent and the wet grass shimmers under the sun. Also, by leaving the sprinklers on, you discourage any backyard exploring in the event you have any unsightly areas there.
Tip #25: Create An Experience
Try writing a letter for prospective buyers telling them about some of the features of your home. Talk about the neighbors, schools, shopping centers, and, of course, the high points of your property. Write it in a personal fashion, make copies and sign each by hand. Place the letter in a nice envelope and leave it out where anyone viewing the house couldn't miss it.
TIP! Mention in the letter that you regret having to leave such a wonderful home, but
that your housing needs have "changed". Don't give away any other information about why you are moving. Only mention that your housing needs have "changed"
Tip #26: Furniture
Although we don't recommend moving out before you sell, it might be a good idea to load up and remove some of the larger pieces of furniture from your home. This will make the rooms look much larger than they actually are
Tip #27: Add A Room Without Calling The Contractor!
This simple but seldom-used technique can give a buyer the feeling there are more actual rooms in your house. Floor-to-ceiling dividers are inexpensive and simple to install.
When a buyer walks through your home, they will generally count the rooms in a subconscious manner. Each room will present an emotional response as they walk through your home. By dividing and designing each side of your room, you create a
"separate room" feeling in the potential buyer. It may sound crazy, but it works!
Tip #28: Ask For A Second Opinion
Don't rely solely upon yourself to decide if your home is ready to sell. Invite some friends over and have them tour your home. They might be able to spot something you've missed. If anything, your Real Estate Agent should be fairly comfortable pointing out problem areas. They want to sell just as badly as you do!
Tip #29: Have A Yard Sale
Now is the perfect time to have a yard sale. Get rid of that old furniture, those crazy old knickknacks, and more by having a yard sale. It's one of the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective ways to clear out all those items that make your house look
cluttered. Not only will this make the move easier, since there will be less to move, but you can help pay for the move with the money you make
Tip #30: The Garage
If you can afford it, buy a can of paint meant for garage floors and paint the garage. Make sure you clean the garage first, as well as spray and clean the floor thoroughly before getting started. A garage will look newer if the floors are a lighter color. If you have stains to remove use our previous tip: Drain cleaner can go a long way toward getting rid of unwanted stains.
Tip #31: Dollars And Scents
If you aren't already popping something in the oven prior to the arrival of prospective buyers, then spray a little vanilla air freshener. This particular scent has a great impact. You can also try scented candles or Potpourri. Remember, you're trying to appeal to as many senses as possible!
Tip #32: Bring Old Floors Back To Life!
Nothing turns off a potential buyer quicker than dull, dingy, disgusting-looking floors. Whether you have wax, wooden or tiled floors, do whatever you can to make them shine again! For wax floors, either rent a floor machine and do it yourself, or hire a professional if it's in your budget.
Have a professional give you an estimate and explain exactly what they would do to bring your floors back to life. If you have them explain what they would do, it may be just as easy to do it yourself. If you have carpeted floors you should either have them steam-cleaned or, if it's in your budget, install new carpeting. This may sound
expensive, but new carpeting can add thousands of dollars to the value of your house.
Tip # 33: Price Below The Market!
Want a quick sale for the most amount of money? Here is a trick that works. By pricing your home 5% below the market price, your home will stand out and attract a lot of
interest. This can create a multiple offer situation which will drive the price up—the
BONUS Tip # 34:
Contact me today to set up a listing presentation! I can discuss in greater detail my marketing strategies that I use to get your home SOLD, and not just listed!
Be sure to check my website, http://kennerkee.yourkwagent.com/ for more helpful
home selling information, including videos and my blog.
Also, as a SPECIAL BONUS, I will be sending you a FREE copy of the eBook, “Make
Every Buyer Want Your House” by Terry Haas of HGTV”s “Designed To Sell”! If you have any questions about getting your home sold, don’t hesitate to contact me! You will see that I am not the “typical” Realtor!
