How To Sell Your Home Fast
& Get Top Dollar
Add Sparkle – Sparkle Sells
First Impressions:
It is worth repeating, “You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression.”
This statement is never more true then the moment a prospective buyer arrives at your property.
Every detail leaves an indelible mark on the buyer’s psyche, and buyers buy on emotion.
Their first impression of your house is critical to their buying decision.
You are trying to create a powerful first impression for the buyer
One that invites them to buy
The yard, the driveway, the windows and the exterior must sparkle.
Buyers look for reasons to eliminate the property from consideration.
They look for reasons to discount your asking price.
By making your property sparkle, you hope to stop the buyer’s discount clock from ticking.
You want the buyer to add up the benefits of buying your property. You want them to want yours rather than the one down the street.
(At the end of this article are Valuable Links To Resources)
Consider:
Replacing Appliances
Carpet
Fresh Paint
Windows Professionally Cleaned
Landscaping
Garage Floor Cleaned or Resurfaced
There are many things you can do to make the property more presentable and desirable.
Consider the following:
STUFF TO DO TO MAKE IT SPARKLE
MirrorsMirrors make small areas seem large. Use mirrors extensively. Call a local glass company for pricing.
House NumbersGet new large house numbers. Be sure they are visible from the street.
Odors – SmokeQuit smoking indoors while your property is on the market. Many buyers are allergic to smoke. You might lose a willing and able buyer if they detect smoke odors.
Odors – PetUse a mild constant flow deodorizer. Keep litter boxes, bird cages, and kennels clean.
EntryConsider installing mirrors or recessed lighting. Consider a skylight.
StuffCollections, walls lined with photos, overstuffed chairs etc. are disadvantageous to showing the property. Rent a storage unit, remove clutter. Clean off the kitchen counter tops and put away small appliances.
Nail holesFill nail holes with putty or toothpaste.
ChildrenToys must be picked up. Keep all rooms clear of clutter.
ClosetsThin out clothes and shoes. Clutter creates a fear that there is not enough space.
Yard saleConsider having a yard sale. You might even find a buyer at the sale.
FurnitureArrange furniture in a manner that keeps walking areas clear. Think open space.
InsuranceBe sure your home owners insurance covers mishaps to visitors
Guns and JewelryPlace such items in a safe deposit box or other safe place while on the market.
PetsPets must be kept out of the way while showing the property. Birds must be in cages.
Repair check list:
The first thing you need to do is make a list of all things that need:
Repair
Replacement
Cleaning
Removal
Your next step is to make a complete repair list.
Every property has items that need repair. Get rid of these psychic sappers. You may have learned to live with them, but the buyer hasn’t.
Grab a notepad and start a thorough inspection of your property.
List everything that needs repair or replacement.
With your repair item check list in hand, begin your inspection:
Start at the driveway
Look critically at the front yard
Are the sprinklers working?
Does the lawn look good?
Is it mowed?
Does the driveway have oil spots?
You get the idea.
Now start with the roof
How are the gutters and down spouts?
Go inside the property and complete the same careful inspection
Include minor and major repairs
Look at the property as if you were the buyer
Be meticulous. Remember buyers are looking for ways to discount your asking price
Make notes of everything that needs repair. List every item – Estimate the cost – Check off items as you complete each repair.
It is a good idea to save repair receipts to show the buyer.
REPAIR CHECK LIST
Begin outside the property.
Write down every flaw, repair, or maintenance item.
Start with the roof and work your way down and around the house.
Include yard maintenance.
Go inside the property and complete the same careful inspection.
Include both minor and major repair items.
Look at the property as if you were the buyer.
Be meticulous. Remember buyers will look for items to justify discounting your asking price.
Sample Repair Item Check List
ITEM FOR REPAIRFIXCOSTDONE
Leaky faucets
Grease spots driveway and garage
Worn siding
Carpet (clean or replace)
Windows clean with ammonia and water
Replace cracked window panes
Fresh flowers in window boxes and planters
Replace torn screens and clean existing screens
Replace front screen with a decorator door
Clean yard (mow and get rid of weeds)
Haul away ALL junk and debris
Repair roof (flashings, gutters, and down spouts)
New roof (provide buyer with a roofing warranty)
Old appliances cleaned with undiluted bleach
Old tubs treated with a new porcelain coat
Clean mildew from grout or recaulk
Buy a new shower curtain
Service heating and air conditioning system
Paint exterior or give a power pressure bath
Paint interior (off white)
Paint or replace mail box
Bold wallpaper/drapes make room look small
If money permits, complete all repairs. If money is in short supply, consider:
A quick cash loan of a few hundred dollars
A equity loan if repairs are a major expense
It will be well worth borrowing from your equity as it will allow you to get top dollar for the property.
Generally speaking you should complete all repair items.
Leave nothing for the buyer to use to discount your asking price.
Completing needed repairs will get you Top Dollar.
In my years of selling houses, it’s been proven over and over that if a house is immaculate and if there is nothing to repair, the buyer will be reticent to offer less than your asking price.
Conversely, if there are a lot of little things that need repair, the buyer will use those items to justify offering you less money.
The condition of the property not only determines whether a buyer will buy.
The condition absolutely determines the price they will pay.
Leave nothing for the buyer to discount. Completed repairs equals a good return on your investment.
As I said, in my twenty plus years of experience if a property is in perfect condition, the buyers are embarrassed to offer below the asking price.
By following this repair procedure you stop the buyer’s discount clock from ticking. The buyer will add up the benefits of buying your perfect property.
Buyers don’t want to make repairs; they don’t want to spend money on leaky faucets and torn screens. They would rather buy new furniture.
Let the buyer see value everywhere. Make them want to buy your property. It Is Simple:
Before You Put The Sign In The Yard
Either Complete Repairs Or Discount Your Price
Buyer Loan Information
Help your buyer.
Many lenders will prepare loan information flyers for you to hand out to buyers. They will include several different financing options.
Interview at least two lenders. Ask about alternative methods of financing.
Find out which loan person you’re most comfortable with then ask them to prepare flyers for your property.
In turn, you will give the buyer their information along with your property flyer.
You may discover financial alternatives for yourself when you interview lenders.
For instance:
You might decide to refinance your present loan
Or you might decide to get a swing loan to remove contingencies from your purchase.
A swing loan is a short term loan which will be paid off at closing
You might take out an Equity Loan. Have your cash before closing
It can provide money for repairs
It can provide money for a deposit or down payment on your new home
It allows you to buy without making a contingent offer
Check with lenders to determine if such a loan might benefit to you.
When you find a serious buyer, ask the lender you have chosen to pre-qualify your buyer.
Do Not Enter A Contract With Any Buyer Unless They Have Been Pre-Qualified
Assure the lender who helps you, that you will make every effort to direct buyers to him for a Loan Pre-Qualify.
Buyer Pre-Qualifying cannot be over emphasized.
I’ve seen sellers accept a contract – take their property off the market – only to find out thirty days later, the buyer can’t qualify.
This is emotionally and financially devastating.
.
Homes That Sell Quickly:
Look Great
Are Priced Right
Are Easy To Show
Have Flexible Terms
Sparkle
For complete step by step details on how to seller your property, consider a economical $27.00 investment in our “How to Sell Real Estate by Owner” book
Resources Link
http://www/sell-fsbo.com/id73.html
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