Tips for Buyers and Sellers
Writing the Next Chapter: Tips for Buyers and Sellers
Are you contemplating a move to your next home, the place where
you'll write the next chapter in the story of you life? Whether you're
headed to the first home of your own, new construction or historic
fixer-upper, a detached home or a town home, condo or coop, a farm house
in the country, a loft in the heart of a city or any one of dozens of
other options, it can be an exciting and emotional time.
Here are a few tips to help make the transition a bit less stressful.
Tips for Everyone:
Establish Good Rapport with a Real Estate Professional
— Buying or selling your home can be a stressful time; establishing a
comfort level with a real estate professional you trust will go a long
way toward making the transition to the next chapter in your life a
smoother and even pleasant one.
Make sure you choose a RealtorŪ who takes the time to
listen to your needs and answer your questions. Don't agree to be
represented by a RealtorŪ unless you're comfortable that they'll work
hard for you and be there when you need them.
Don't Hesitate to Talk Technology — While
you're speaking with a prospective agent, be sure to ask where the use
of technology figures in to the marketing and sale of your home. Even
though a solid majority of homebuyers use the services of a licensed
real estate professional, about 80 percent begin their search on the
Internet.
Today's real estate market is truly global. Choose a
RealtorŪ and a real estate brand backed by a strong Web presence and a
global reach; you simply can't predict whether your buyer will come from
around the corner or a far corner of the globe.
Tips for Sellers:
Price your Home to the Market — If you insist
that you must list your home at a predetermined price regardless of
current conditions in your local market, you're setting the stage for a
major disappointment. Real estate values are determined by the
marketplace. Work with a real estate professional who serves your area,
knows the current state of your market, and will research comparable
sales to help you arrive at a realistic listing price.
Curb Appeal is Crucial — It's true that
first impressions are lasting ones, and creating a great first
impression is probably the single most cost effective technique for
showing your home to best advantage. Your RealtorŪ will advise you; a
thorough cleaning and a fresh coat of paint may be all you need.
Here are a few more no or low cost techniques that help boost curb appeal:
- Keep plantings trimmed and the lawn cut
- Remove all clutter from entrances
- Replace the welcome mat
- Ensure all door knobs, hinges latches and locks are attractive and in good repair
- Clean all windows inside and out; hire a cleaning service if necessary — it's usually worth it.
Keep it Clean — You never know when your buyer
is going to walk through your front door; keeping your home clean,
clutter free and odor free are the easiest, cheapest and most effective
things you can do to help sell your home in the shortest possible time
at an attractive price.
Consider Staging — Actually, improving the
curb appeal of your home is perhaps the first known example of what has
come to be known as home "staging;" a powerful approach to removing the
visual clutter from your home and making it visually appealing to the
greatest number of potential buyers, using techniques that builders have
applied to model homes for years.
Staging your home doesn't have to be expensive to be
effective; some basic knowledge of simple staging techniques and the
ability to look at your home from a fresh perspective are usually what
is needed. ERA Gold Medal Property is a preferred property program
designed to help you meet the fundamental challenge of standing out from
the competition. The Internet, your local library or book store, and
your RealtorŪ are also great home staging resources.
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