Remember the importance of first impressions.
Most buying decisions are made within the first 60 seconds of entering a home. And curb appeal is not just a phrase, it is a fact. Take the time to drive up to the front of your home & walk in through your own front door, as potential buyers will do. Be sure your landscaping is trimmed, well kept and includes color, regardless of the season, even if it is just in containers.  Consider adding new mulch, which can help create a well tended appearance. Be sure your front door and its hardware look like new.  Check for a sticking door lock, squeaky door, broken doorbell, cracked front door glass, weathered stain or anything that will detract from that first impression. Once you are in your entry foyer, be sure that the view is light, bright & open! Take down any dated window treatments and repaint any questionable colors. Concentrate your efforts on the first floor, as the buyers’ decision is usually made before they ever reach the remainder of your home!

Too many items can make rooms look smaller.
Spaciousness helps to sell homes. Eliminate any bulky, unnecessary furniture – even if it is a beautiful antique! Rearrange furniture to assure that all areas of the home are easily accessed and that windows are not blocked. Have easy traffic flow patterns and doors that open without bumping into things. Put toys, tools, etc. in a storage bin during showings.

Kitchens continue to be the heart of the home.
A bright, pleasant, working kitchen is near the top of most buyers’ list of priorities. Assure that your counters are empty & appear spacious by putting small appliances, paperwork, etc. in a cabinet. Then try displaying a cookbook, filling a colander with blueberries or just having a bowl of fresh fruit out. And you have probably heard to bake chocolate chip cookies right before they arrive and this certainly never hurts! A “homey” smell and tasty snack will have your home shoppers lingering in the kitchen.

Attractive eating areas sell homes.
Every homebuyer imagines family times as they are looking for a new home. You can help them look forward to sharing those special times in YOUR home by setting your dining table with pretty place settings that look inviting. The kitchen table can look inviting with placemats and a centerpiece of fresh flower or fruit. Don’t go overboard, however, as any style and color should not overshadow the home.

Pay attention to odors.
Accustomed to odors that potential homebuyers may notice immediately? If you are a smoker, you need to be aware that a cigarette smell can be a major deterrent to potential home buyers. Try to limit your smoking in your home and if you smoke in the garage or on the patio, check to be sure smells don’t linger through discarded butts, etc. And I own a large dog myself, (he’s half German Shepherd and half Boxer), so I know that I never even notice any odors, but as a realtor I also know that pets can be odor producers! Check the litter box, the dog’s back yard, the fur on the sofa, the bird cage, pet food dishes, etc. and try to limit anything that might be a negative to home shoppers.  Mildew odors are another no-no, so do not allow wet swim suits or towels to accumulate. Be sure that sports attire and socks do not build up in laundry hampers. Once the source of the odors has been identified, determine if a fresh coat of paint, drycleaning window treatments or washing out a trash can would help eliminate any lingering unpleasantness. Be cautious in using a candle or spray scent. Oftentimes, even pleasant strong odors cause lookers to speed through a showing to escape a strong odor that may irritate eyes or allergies. Remember, if buyers envision “work” being necessary to eliminate odors, that will negatively impact any offer you may receive.

Accent your windows.
Large, cheerful windows make any home appear brighter and more desirable. Begin by making sure your windows are sparkling clean and that your window treatments are open for showings, unless you are disguising the view. Bay windows or windows with a special view should be highlighted! Try hanging a stained glass in the window or putting a birdfeeder right outside.

Master bedroom retreats.
Large master bedrooms and baths are popular among today’s homebuyers and are a mainstay in all new construction. In order to compete, try to create the “suite” effect. Paint the rooms an updated, neutral color and coordinate the decorating schemes between the two rooms to maximize the “suite” effect. Remove a bureau or TV, if possible, and replace with a chair & small table to create a sitting area. Ceiling fans and lights should be on for showings. Put out fresh towels and splurge on guest soaps for that model home or bed & breakfast effect.

Set your thermostat on a comfortable temperature.
Yes, we all want to save on air conditioning and heating costs, but a hot or cold house can make buyers nervous, causing them to question the furnace system age or adequacy of the insulation. Nervous buyers do not make good offers, so I can get you more money and a quicker sale if you help by creating a comfortable home showing experience.

Undisturbed home showings are best.
While a home purchase is a big investment, in the end, buying a home is an emotional decision. Buyers like to “try out” the home and imagine their family there in order to decide if it is comfortable for them. If pets, children or homeowners greet them at the door, they are distracted, not looking at the home and will not remember it as well. Most of us have pets & children, but to home buyers, they can indicate wear & tear on the home. Also, home buyers may not care about every feature or upgrade in the home, but will weigh the floorplan and condition versus their own list of priorities. You want to set the scene and then leave, so that buyers can walk in and begin play-acting, pretending the home is already theirs. Research shows that home showings are shorter if the owners are present, so make every effort to leave the property for showings. Realtors know their clients’ priorities and will point out those features that may help their clients make a decision.

Make any needed repairs before listing.
Owner neglect has scared away many potential home buyers, so use a careful eye when examining your home for needed maintenance and/or repairs. Be particularly cautious of any health or safety issues, including environmental concerns. Remember, you MUST disclose to the buyer any knowledge of existing property problems. Buyers are typically poor judges of the cost of repairs, repainting, re-carpeting, etc. and will usually overestimate in order to leave a margin for error when offering on a property.

Re-evaluate individualized decorating.
Dark blue walls, teen posters, beaded doorway curtains, too contemporary, too country, etc. will cause at least a percentage of your lookers to imagine re-doing parts of your home. Try to use plants, sea shells, pillows, glass bowls, vases etc. for a personal touch and eliminate strong decorating while your home is for sale. Your Southwestern flair may suit you perfectly; you may love your political statement in your office and the country kitchen may warm your heart -  but any of these things may restrict the buyers that are interested in your home. Savvy realtors will help their clients overlook your personal style, but it is best to stage your home as professionally as possible to avoid any potential turn-offs.

STORAGE SPACE is a big plus.
Too often, your attic, garage and under stair closets are the last place you clean and organize. Storage space is at a real premium here in North Texas, since we have few basements, so take the time to maximize the impact of your storage areas. Be sure all storage areas are safely accessible and consider putting a computer-generated small sign near the entrance to draw attention to the space. Install bright lights, clean out the cobwebs, use trunks and boxes for storing rather than just piles or stacks, get rid of rusty old tools or lawn furniture, take a damp cloth to the dust, clear a path to the water heater or circuit breakers, oil any hinges and get rid of that musty smell. Usable storage space is very attractive to today’s buyers.

Make moving plans in advance.
Being prepared for your home to sell can save you money when the right offer comes along. Get realistic moving estimates, including truck rental or packing services. Think about your pool table, piano, boat or other items that may require special moving plans. Give serious consideration to temporary housing options, even if that is not your first choice. When an offer does come in on your home, it is likely that the negotiations will proceed quickly, so you need to be well versed on what the cost of your different options will be. Weighing your moving costs along with the offer price will help you come out ahead financially in the end!

Assemble records.

Many times some of your home’s unseen features are positives, too. Gather together any records about utility costs, recent appliance purchases, home warranty, schools, parks, new roads that will cut down on commute times…it can be anything! If you choose the right Realtor to list your home, they should have some great information to offer inside your home, also, but nothing can replace your own personal knowledge of your homes’ benefits. Your Realtor can help you showcase all of this information appropriately!

Choose the right realtor for the best marketing.
Frequently, sellers will choose to list their home with the agent that suggests the highest price to them, or that charges the least, or that lives in the neighborhood or attends their church. In fact, there are only three main points to consider when selecting a listing agent:

#1 - The most important part of choosing a realtor to list your home is to choose an agent that is experienced. An experienced agent will know your competition and the current pool of buyers. A successful agent has reliable relationships with title companies, lenders, handymen, real estate inspectors, surveyors, etc. Your home is your biggest investment and your transaction will need the best professionals involved. An experienced real estate agent can assure that your home sale is a priority for all of the different parties involved!
#2 - You also want to choose an agent that has a clear and current marketing plan for your home. Ask any agent you interview for an exact marketing plan for your home. Be sure the plan includes many different advertising venues, but be aware that recent research shows that only 1% of homes are sold at open houses and only 3% of people purchased their home because they called on a print ad. Marketing strategies are changing and your agent should be changing with them!
#3 – Choose an agent that you like. Your real estate agent will be working with you during a time of change and stress for your family, so be sure it is someone you trust and enjoy. Your realtor will be your representative in the transaction, so be sure they will represent you with the integrity and professionalism you desire.

“Fishing”  A new listing should be correctly priced on the first day.
On average, homes show 2-3 times more often in their first 3 weeks on the market than they do in weeks 8-10 on the market. Don’t waste those prime home showings with motivated buyers by having your home priced incorrectly. A Market Analysis (which we are always happy to prepare for no charge or commitment!) will show you the most likely sales price of your home and you should price it accordingly. It is a fact that homes sell closest to their asking price during the first 30 days on the market. Studies show that after 3 months on the market, homes can expect to sell for an average of 6.7% below asking price and after 6 months that number rises to an average of 15.2% below asking price. Later, fair or not, prospective buyers begin to wonder why the home hasn’t already sold.

Be sure to tell everyone you know that your home is for sale.
The right Realtor will have a marketing plan in place, but your neighbors or church buddies may know someone who has been waiting to move into a home just like yours! Even with today’s technology, word of mouth remains an effective and FREE way to assist with your home sale.

Contact Anne Lakusta at (972) 355-3518, Daniel Drews at (972)355-3517 or Leslie Maddie at (972)355-3534 for expert advice on selling your home TODAY!

E-mail: annel@rmdfw.com