Take advantage of buying now by selling with smarts
With today’s changing housing market, the opportunities to buy a home are tremendous. Interest rates are low, prices are competitive, and many builders and sellers are offering fantastic incentives and financing options. But if you’re like two-thirds of the people in the new home buying market today, you’ve got a home to sell first. On any given Sunday afternoon, hosts of lookers are visiting open houses across the country. How can you prepare for an open house? It’s a question on many sellers’ minds. Follow these tips, have a plan and you’ll have happy new homeowners signing on your dotted line sooner than you know it!
“”The home should be in the best condition you can make it,” Niki Lamb, a San Jose-area REALTOR® said. “The price however, will determine how fast it can sell.”
“While how much you ask for your home is obviously the key factor in many buyers’ minds, presentation is crucial. The potential buyer needs to be able to see their things in your house.
“Keep personal items like photographs to a minimum. Locate any clutter around your home and either throw it out or organize it neatly. Consider how often you use items in the clutter. If you haven’t used it in over a year, it may be time to toss it. Don’t forget that some items can be donated to charities in your community.
“Clean off your kitchen countertops and pack up small knickknacks. Not only will the house appear more organized but you may also get a heads up on packing up for your impending move. Pack up essential items into a box that can be easily moved into a closet when not in use. You may want to remove most books from your bookshelves, leaving just a few with some nice decorative pieces.
“Remember that potential buyers will like to look everywhere in the home. Organize all of your closet spaces and kitchen cabinets. The time to do a full and thorough cleaning of the areas in your home you’ve been avoiding organizing the past year is before the open house.
“Make any minor repairs you can before potential buyers come through. Wash your windows inside and out. Polish up faucets and mirrors and don’t forget to hang fresh towels in the bathrooms and kitchen. Overly worn rugs should be stowed away or replaced and the entire house should be vacuumed. Consider waxing tile floors and air out any musty smelling areas. Scent can make or break a sale!
“Coldwell Banker, a national real estate broker, also offers some tips on making your home sell faster. These include turning on all of the lights to highlight the home’s amenities and setting the dining room table for a “decorative appeal.”
“Buy fresh flowers for vases throughout the home. Make sure the doorbell is working and children’s rooms “are minimally personal.” If potential buyers do not have children, you want them to see the room as a possible guest bedroom or office, while maintaining a possibility of children’s room for those with kids.
“Keep “curb appeal” in mind as well. Walk outside and see what your house looks like. How does the landscaping look? How about the front porch? The old adage “You can’t read a book by its cover” while true, doesn’t usually stick in the mind of home buyers. Make certain that your house number can be read from the street and remember to keep your sidewalks clear and your lawn mowed. Trim shrubs and trees and if possible.
“Selling your home doesn’t have to be a headache if you are prepared. And most of all remember to relax. Keep things in perspective. While it may take more than 12 hours to sell your home, as was often the case during the boom years of real estate, with a little extra preparation, your home will be sold before you know it and you’ll be in your new pad.
For more information, contact the Spokane Home Builders Association at (509) 532-4990 or visit the National Association of Home Builders at www.nahb.org/timetobuy. To sign up for NAHB’s free consumer e-newsletter, visit www.nahb.org/housekeys.