Think like a buyer!                

You are not just selling a house, you are selling shelter, security, a lifestyle, and dreams. People  want the best for themselves and your home should represent the buyer's answer. Put yourself in the buyer's shoes!  They arrive at your front door wanting to find the right home. Don't make them search somewhere else. If you have done your homework, every room in your home will create a desire for the buyer to stay.

Start making a list!

Walk outside and take a look at the property through the critical eyes of a buyer. Is there anything that needs repairing, looks worn, or is outdated? Start writing these items down on your list. Walk through the interior, and do the same thing. Ask for the assistance of everyone in your family. After all, a shorter sales time will benefit everybody in the family!

Why did you purchase this property?                           

You know this home better than anyone else. Think back to when you first walked in this house. What attracted you to this property? These features should be among the first that you enhance. Ask your spouse and your children to add their own special positive reactions. Your teenager may remember how she fell in love with your home years ago because of the "climbing" tree in the backyard. Listen carefully to your children's perceptions.

Tour every room, the attic, the basement, the garage, and the yard. Note at least one positive feature in each. Include the items that attracted you and those desirable features you have added.

Do everything before you put your home on the market!

The longer a house is on the market, the more likely prospective purchasers are to suspect that something is wrong. The first thoughts are, "I wonder what is wrong with that home ? Why isn't it selling?". Don't let that happen to you! Complete all of your repairs, improvements, and enhancements prior to your first showing.

                                                                       Focus on 6 key points!

Cleaning

 Every area of the home must sparkle and shine! Each hour spent will be well worth it. Would you rather buy a clean car or a dirty one? Would you hurry to buy a pair of shoes with mud on them?

 Clean all of the windows, including attics and basements.

 Clean all wall-to-wall carpeting and area rugs. Clean and polish linoleum, tile, and wooden floors. Consider refinishing wood floors if necessary.

 Clean and polish all woodwork if necessary. Pay particular attention to the kitchen and bath cabinets.

 Clean and polish all the light fixtures.

 Be cautious about selecting colors when painting or replacing carpeting. Your objective is to make your home appeal to the largest possible buying segment. Ask yourself, "How many of the available buyers would be able to move into my house with their own furniture and not have to replace the carpeting?" Position your home on the market to be as livable to as many people as possible and to allow the buyer to mentally picture the home as theirs.

 Forget your personal taste-the market is always demand driven! The average buyer will have a hard time looking beyond blue carpeting and bold wallpapers. Consider replacing unusual or bold colors with neutral tones. Two coats of off-white paint may be the best investment you have ever make.

Atmosphere

When placing yourself in the potential buyer's shoes, you will want to consider the overall atmosphere of your home. Keep in mind your sense of smell as you go through this checklist. Present the atmosphere of your home as a shelter, a place that is safe, warm, and in good condition.

 A clean-smelling house creates a positive image in the buyer's mind. Be aware of odors from cooking, cigarettes, pets, etc., that may have adverse effects on potential buyers. Some people are more sensitive to odors than others. Smokers rarely notice the odor of tobacco that fills their homes, and pet owners may be oblivious to objectionable doggy odor.

 You can use carpet deodorizers, air fresheners, and room deodorizers; but the best strategy is to remove the source of the smell rather than to cover it up.

 The only way to remove the smell of pet urine from flooring is to rip up the carpeting, padding, and underlayment, and to replace them. If this is preventing the sale of your home, don't hesitate to make this investment.

 If smoking and cooking odors have permeated your home, have your carpets and furniture cleaned, and air out or dry-clean your drapes.

 Mildew odors are another no-no. Don't allow wet towels to accumulate in hampers, or dirty laundry to pile up in closets.

 Once offensive odors are removed, consider adding delightful ones. Recent studies have shown that humans have strong, positive responses to certain smells. Cinnamon, fresh flowers, breads baking in the oven are all excellent ways to enhance your property for sale.

Preparing your home for sale- Use of color, lighting, and accessories to emphasize the best features of your home. 

The effect of a vase of flowers, an open book on the coffee table, a basket of birch logs by the fireplace, etc., can make the difference in a room. 

Be careful not to create distractive clutter.

 The use of a brightly colored pillow in a wing chair or a throw blanket on a couch can add dimension to a sterile room. Always let light into your rooms. Replace heavy curtains with sheer white panels. 

Never apologize for things you cannot change. The buyer will either decide to accept or reject the property regardless of the words you say.

 Just present the home in the best way possible with complete honesty.

Display pictures of your house and yard during all four seasons. If hung at eye level in a well-lighted area, the pictures will speak for themselves and give you yet another selling edge.

.Take advantage of natural light as much as possible by cleaning windows,                                           Open shades and drapes. Add lamps and lighting  Be sure  all fixtures are clean and  functioning bulbs. Increase the wattage of the bulbs 

 Invest in a new doormat  that says "Welcome."

 The Yard 

Make sure the yard is neatly mowed, raked, and edged.  Prune and shape shrubbery and trees to compliment your house.

Adding flowers along the walks or in the planting areas. Place the plants into a  wheelbarrow or an old-fashioned washtub. Nasturtiums, petunias, impatiens, and verbena are easy to maintain. A row of sweet smelling alyssum to line a short sidewalk or some perky dwarf marigolds to form a cheerful oasis of color in your yard.

 Devote  one area of your yard to outdoor living. Buyers will recognize a scene set with picnic table and chairs and they will respond positively to it. Cover your picnic table with, red-and-white checked cloth, set out some plastic plates and glasses, and bring out the barbecuing equipment. Buyers will almost smell the hot dogs cooking!   

Whether a graciously proportioned center-hall      or a small space just large enough for a coat rack and tiny table, this part of your home deserves your particular attention.

 What kind of impression is your Entry. Dried flowers or a small plant can make a striking focal point on a hall table,  Any entry hall will benefit from a well-placed mirror to enlarge the area. Entry hall's flooring will make a great impression, Add a  small rug to protect the area during showings. 

The entry hall closet is the first inspected. Make it appear roomy. Add a few extra hangers. Hang a bag of cedar chips or a pomander ball to give a pleasant, fresh scent. Remove all off-season clothing.

Living Areas

Think of these areas as if they were furniture showrooms. Your job is to make each room generate a positive response. Add touches that make a room look  inviting.

 Sweep and clean the fireplace. Place a few logs on the grate to create an attractive appearance. Have a fire going for showings during the winter months It creates a great atmosphere.

 Place something colorful on the mantel, but don't make it look like a country craft store.

 Be sure that all doors open fully and easily.  Draw attention to exposed beams or a cathedral ceiling with special lighting. Be sure to remove any cobwebs and dust.

 The Dining Room

Avoid going overboard. To be effective, any stage setting that you create should reflect the character of your entire home appropriately.

 Set the scene by setting the table with an attractive arrangement. Add fresh or silk flowers as a centerpiece.

. Visually enlarge a small dining area. If your dining table has extra leaves, take one or two out. Consider placing your dining table against a wall. Remove any extra "company" chairs. Consider putting oversized pieces in storage until your house is sold.

Pay particular attention to your kitchen-this room continues to be the "heart of the home." A pleasant, working kitchen is near the top of most buyer's list of priorities and is a room that buyers always scrutinize closely.

Avoid clutter! Clean counters of small appliances and store whenever possible to maximize the appearance of work space.

 Check the counter top around your sink, and remove any detergent or cleanser, etc., that may be cluttering the area.

 Sinks, cabinets, appliances, and counter tops should be clean and fresh.

 All appliances should be absolutely clean, bright, sparkling, and shiny!!

Clean off the top of the refrigerator! If you must use that space for storage, use baskets and bowls to camouflage the items kept there.

 Set the scene with an open cookbook, a basket filled with fruit, a basket of silk flowers, or a ceramic mixing bowl and wire whisk.

 Create the aromas associated with happy homes! Bake some cookies  start baking a loaf of refrigerated bread dough, or pop a frozen apple pie in the oven. A delightful kitchen aroma can be created with commercial potpourri preparations or you can mix up a batch from scratch on top of your stove:

                                                             SMELL THE AROMA        

Cinnamon Potpourri :  1 T grated nutmeg     5 cinnamon sticks     1 tablespoon whole allspice       1/2 tablespoon whole cloves - Add all ingredients to 2 1/2 cups of water in a saucepan.   Bring to a boil, then lower to simmer.

 In the heat of summer, place a bowl of lemons or limes on the counter to provide a fresh and pleasant aroma.

 Clean and organize all storage space. If your cabinets, drawers, and closets are crowded and overflowing, buyers assume that your storage space is inadequate. Give away items you don't use, storing seldom-used items elsewhere, and reorganize the shelves. Neat, organized shelves and drawers look larger and more adequate for prospective buyers' needs.

 Large, cheerful kitchen windows are an advantage and should be highlighted as a special feature of your home. Take a critical look at the window treatment-is it clean, sharp and up-to-date? Do the curtains need washing or the blinds need cleaning. 

 Set two attractive place settings with coordinating napkins and placemats, on the table or counter and place cushions on the stools.

Laundry Room

A separate laundry room is a true asset. A most frequent requests of  buyers  during a home search. Don't hide this treasure behind closed doors. Spruce up the room and open the door proudly for inspection.   Add a fresh coat of paint or put up cheerful wallpaper. Organize all closets and storage areas. Lastly, Remove all dirty laundry.  Clean and polish the washer and dryer. Consider adding an attractive, coordinated throw rug.

 Make sure the stairs are safe! Stair lighting should be more than adequate, stairs must be clutter free, stair railings tight and secure, and runners or carpeting tacked securely. Remove any items from the surface of the stairs and store elsewhere. Check the condition of the walls, and paint or re-wallpaper if necessary.rways should provide an attractive transition from one level of your home to another.

 If the stairs are a focal point of the main living areas, carefully choose accents to improve the visual appeal. If you have a wide, staircase, emphasize by hanging a few pictures

Bedrooms 

 Draw attention to a handsome lighting fixture by polishing the brass and dusting each small light bulb or crystal prism. Any stair landing should also have an attractive focal point, be it a fern on a plant stand, a dramatic poster, a chiming clock, or a special chair on a large stair landing. If the staircase is narrow, fool the eye by minimizing clutter.

Imagine for a moment that you're in the "bed-and-breakfast" business. How would you change your home's bedrooms to appeal to a paying lodger? Naturally you'd make up the beds with your prettiest sheets and comforters. Maybe you'd add a vase of flowers on the dressing table or a cozy armchair in the corner. Every bedroom in your home should invite prospective buyers to settle right in.

Large master bedrooms are particularly popular among today's home buyers. Make your bedroom larger. Paint the room a light color, remove one of the bureaus if the room is crowded and minimize clutter to maximize spaciousness. Aim for a restful, subdued "look".

75. A private bathroom off the master bedroom is a real sales plus. Decorate to coordinate with the color scheme of your bedroom, creating the "suite" effect.

76. Virtually all buyers are looking for a house with plenty of closet space. Try to make what you have appear generous and well planned. Remove and store all out of season clothing. Remove any items from the floor area-this will make a closet seem more spacious. Arrange all shelves to maximize the use of space.

77. Make sure all articles in the closet are fresh and clean smelling. When prospective buyers open your closet door, they should be greeted with a whiff of fresh smelling air.

78. Make sure all closet lights have adequate wattage and are operating. Add battery operated lights to those closets that lack them. Lighted closets look bigger, are more attractive, and allow buyers to inspect the interiors easily.

79. Take the time to explain the importance of marketing to your children. Encourage them to participate in preparing your home for showing; particularly the principle of appealing to the widest possible market segment. Ask your children's cooperation in making their beds and picking up their rooms prior to showings. Consider promising a special reward if they willingly participate in your house-selling goals.

80. Have children pack up any items that are not currently in use and dispose of unused possessions.

Wise sellers take special pains with preparing their bathroom(s) for scrutiny by strangers. The bathroom is a room after all, and a very personal one. Prospects will inspect yours carefully, so be sure it is immaculate. Cleanliness is the key! Make sure that all surfaces are spotless.

82. Replace worn or dirty shower curtains, clean and repair caulking, and remove non-skid bath surface decals that are in poor condition.

83. Clear off counter tops and store all personal care products out of sight.

84. Repair any faucets that leak or do not function properly. Clean off mineral deposits with vinegar or commercial products.

85. Clean and organize all cabinets and drawers. Don't forget the medicine cabinet: dispose of old prescriptions and polish the shelves. The same goes for the storage cabinet under the sink.

86. Remember to appeal to a wide range of buyers. Play down dominant colors with contrasting neutral colored towels and accessories. If your bathroom is mostly white or neutral, add a few cheerful accents of color: use towels in the popular new shades. Don't hesitate to buy a few new towels and a rug; you'll be taking them with you to your new home.

87. Scrub and wax an old floor. Cover the largest area you can with a freshly washed scatter rug.

88. Decorate and personalize. Create a pleasing, individual look. Consider bringing out your best towels and perfumed guest soaps. Add a plant for color and freshness.

89. A gentle hint of fragrance in the air is fine, but keep it subtle.

90. Clean and organize the basement. Be sure that the stairs are cleared and well lit and that the handrail is secure. Remove and dispose of any items that you will not be taking with you. Pack other items in boxes and arrange them neatly in the center of the room so that basement walls can be inspected.

91. Make sure your major systems, such as the furnace and electrical service are operating properly. If appropriate, vacuum out the furnace and install a clean filter.

92. A dark, damp-smelling basement will have trouble selling. Clean up mildew stains, throw out any upholstered furniture that retains that musty smell, and check the basement walls for high water marks. Many basements are a turnoff simply because they're too dark. Increase the wattage of your existing light bulbs, and if needed, install a few more lights. Be sure, however, to disclose any problems with your basement drainage system. Most states require that adverse defects of material significance be noted as exceptions to the seller's warranties.

93. As a final touch, take a damp cloth and wipe off any dust and grime from the surface of your water heater and furnace. Apply a coat of wax when you are finished.

94. Sweep and wash the floor to remove dirt and stains. Organize tools, garden equipment, bicycles, etc. A clean, organized garage appears larger.

95. If the area is dark, add more light. If it is small and accommodates only one car, remove your car before buyers visit. An empty garage always looks larger. If it is a two-car garage with very little extra room, remove one of your cars so that buyers can make their inspection in comfort.

96. If the basement is appropriate to use as a recreation area, set up your ping pong table (with balls and paddles as props), hang some bright posters, put down an area rug, and you've transformed the place into a teen retreat. Your setting does not need to be complete and shouldn't cost a large amount. It's meant to suggest further possibilities to buyers.

97. Clear off and organize the workbench in your basement and draw attention to it as a sales feature. Make sure the lighting is excellent and stage the area as a comfortable place in which to work. Add a throw rug as cushioning against the cement flooring.

Whether a high-ceiling room or a crawl space under the eaves for storage, your attic area will be examined and should not detract from the well-kept appearance of your house.

98. If your attic is reached by a steep flight of stairs, be sure the stairs are clear of objects and well lit. If your attic space is reached by a folding set of stairs that you pull from the ceiling, be sure the mechanism is well oiled and there is adequate lighting.

99. Spruce up your attic space, hide the mousetraps, and install bright lights. If your attic does have windows, be sure to clean off the grime and let in as much light as possible. Clean as needed.

100. Get rid of anything that you don't plan to move to your new home. Place remaining stored material neatly in boxes and trunks, and then position away from the walls.

101. If the attic is windowed and can be expanded under the current municipal building codes, be sure to inform your prospective buyers of this potential. Be sure to verify this information first.

Consider hiring a surveyor to mark the boundaries of your property. This will not only show consideration, it will be an effective sales tool. Caution! If you are not exactly sure of the boundary lines, do not attempt to represent their location to the buyer!

Items not included in the sale  Remove (and replace if applicable) any items that will not be included in the sale of the property (such as light fixtures, etc.).

How To Price A Home

A home will sell for two reasons: price and exposure. In the real estate market for the 21st century, exposure has taken a new turn with the advancement of many Internet technologies for real estate. Be it as it may, the real estate industry's new exposure tools will not help a home sell if the home is not priced correctly. When considering putting your home up for sale,  first analyze your real estate market on a subdivision level, not a metro-area level, to derive the features and amenities that are driving the value in your neighborhood. You must then establish a pricing strategy in accordance with your financial and timing needs.
 

Identifying Selling Needs

No two real estate transactions in today's world are identical. As a homeowner, only you can derive your needs with selling your home. We will call this your "win" in your real estate transaction. 

 the years of owning your home can cause a strong emotional attachment and can cloud logical thinking. This is absolutely normal, and fortunately, there are professionals available across the nation to help bring a logical, non-emotional approach to selling your home.We are REALTORS and we want to make sure you get the most amount of money for your home in the least amount of time, and with a minimum level of stress.

 focus on your timing needs first. Do you want to sell your home in 30, 60, or 90 days? Are you looking to have a contract by that date, or to be closed and moving into your next home? 

 in typical real estate transactions, buyers will take approximately 30 days to close on a home. This time period involves getting inspections, negotiating repairs, and securing financing with their mortgage professional.

Are you going to need a certain amount of equity after closing on your home? 

Understanding Your Local Market

The next step to selling your home is to make sure that you have leverage. Leverage is the key ingredient to winning in a real estate transaction. When selling a home, leverage is achieved by pricing your home at a market price that will attract the most amount of buyers for your area. Homes can be priced one of two ways: negotiation and market. Pricing for negotiation will result in exactly what a seller expects: negotiation on the asking price. Pricing at market will allow your home to be exposed to the widest range of buyers and enable the seller to have a leveraged position in the real estate transaction.

There are three types of market research that one must analyze when pricing a home: 

sold, expired, and active properties. First, the sold history for 3-6 months will give great detail on the selling trends in the neighborhood. By analyzing the sold price per square foot of homes with similar features, amenities, and condition, you can easily identify your selling range in relation to price per square foot. Price per square foot allows you to level the playing field and compare apples to apples. 

A homes square footage is a basic unit of real estate, and all homes will be priced according to the size of the home.  Once this step is complete, we can have a higher level of understanding as to which homes are desirable and getting the most money, and which are the exact opposite.

After you have made conclusions as to why homes are selling in the range that they do, you can then test these conclusions on homes that did not sell, or expired properties. This is done to make sure that the conclusions derived during the analysis of sold properties are accurate and applicable to your real estate transaction. 

 Not all real estate transactions are typical and your conclusions may not be able to explain exactly why a home did not sell. You can usually assume that if your conclusions can logically explain why 3-5 homes have not sold in the past 6 months, then your conclusions are accurate enough to be considered factual.

Find Your Homes Selling Range

Price According To Needs while Analyzing Competition