Selling?

Deciding who to represent you is the most important decision you will make in the home selling process. As your RE/MAX real estate agent, I will help you in the following areas:

• Guiding you in setting a competitive market price
• Advising you on how to showcase your home and highlight its best features.
• Developing a professional marketing strategy to expose your property to the widest possible audience - from a yard sign to the Internet.
• Discussing the sales advantages of a home warranty.

Pricing your home

The value of your home is determined by what the buyer is ready to pay. The closest the price of your property is from the fair market value, the more chances to attract buyers and the higher the selling price will be. If your house is not priced competitively, buyers will favour larger or better homes with the same price. When your property stays on the market for a long time, it indicates to the potential buyers an overpriced property. A house priced too high often sells for less than it might have.

As your RE/MAX real estate agent, I will suggest a possible listing price based on a comprehensive market analysis based on homes sold in your area and homes currently on the market.

Showing your home

The process of selling property should be a positive and enjoyable experience. In order to make this experience easier for you, I have compiled a checklist to help ensure that your property will be displayed to its best potential. With a few simple steps, my handy checklist can potentially help you obtain top value for your home.

Making a good impression

How can you help make a positive first impression?

If your home is going to get a second look from buyers, it needs to make a good first impression. You need to see your home like a prospective buyer. To do that, you need to look at both the inside and outside with a fresh perspective. If you follow these simple steps, you will be helping t set the stage for a property that shows great to potential buyers. 

On the Outside:

When prospective buyers walk through your home, they tend to imagine it as if it were their own so  try to have the fewest obstacles between prospects and the true appeal of your home. 

• Enhance drive-up appeal by removing clutter and cleaning stains off the drive way.
• You may want to scrub or repaint your front door.
• Touch up your exterior paint where needed
• Keep your lawn nicely trimmed and edged
• Remove dead and dying flowers and consider adding color.
• Trim bushes, add fresh bark or rock flowerbeds for a fresh look.
• Pick up toys, flowerpots, charcoal bags, hoses, garbage cans or any items that tend to leave a cluttered look.
• Clean out gutters/roofs, make sure they are free of debris and moss.
• Make necessary repairs to your roof if it leaks.
• Check your fence. Repair and repaint it if necessary.
• Keep windows sparkling clean and replace any windows that may have cracks in them.
• Make sure all exterior lights and lamp work
• Create a warm and inviting entrance.

On the Inside:

When it comes time to show the property, here are some suggestions that will help make the process to  more smoothly:

• Review the house inside room by room. Paint and make repairs to walls in any room needing it, clean carpets and drapes that need it and be sure windows are clean and sparkling.
• Rearrange or remove some of the furniture if necessary to make rooms appear larger and allow buyers to imagine their own furniture in the room.
• The two most important rooms to the buyer are the kitchen and the bathroom. Remove stains in the sinks and tubs. Make sure the floors have been scrubbed, and that all appliances have been well cleaned and are in good working order.
• Clear all unnecessary objects from the kitchen and bathroom counter-tops. Set out matching towels.
• Tighten cabinet doors and lubricate squeaky or hard to open/shut doors.
• Fix leaky faucets and make sure the drains in your tub and sinks are not clogged.
• Replace the shower curtain (if needed) and clean the tile around the tub.
• Odors must be eliminated especially if you have pets, young children. If you are a smoker, consider smoking outside during the time your home is on the market. You may not notice the smell but potential buyers do.
• Put out garbage.
• Put any cleaning supplies out of sight.
• Check for any burnt out lights and replace.
• Make sure all smoke alarm work.
• Maintain the home in ready-to-show condition with beds made, clutter removed, dishes put away and so forth. Then, you are ready for a showing as soon as you get a phone call.

Showing time:

• Showcase your home as if you are receiving guests. Place flowers in vases, light a fire in the fireplace if it is cold outside, and play soft background music.
• Try to air the house before the scheduled showing, but close the windows and doors before you leave. Set the thermostat to a comfortable temperature.
• Open all blinds/curtains to let in maximum light. Buyers like a house to be “light and bright”.
• Turn on as many lights as possible: under cabinet lights, lamps, desk lamps … Turn on exterior light at night.
• Make sure your pets are confined to a safe and out-of-the-way place.
• Have the smell of something freshly baked or a light vanilla scent burning. Try to avoid using scented sprays just in case the buyers are allergic.
• During a showing, try to step out for awhile. The buyer will feel more relaxed if allowed to view your home without any distractions.
• In some cases, silence is golden. If you are present for any part of the showing, it is best to reserve comments until the buyer has left your home. The Realtor showing your home knows what to point out.