08-09-2006, 02:10 AM
Here are some ideas about getting the best bang for the buck in selling your home fast.... ( from my previous experience as a home stager)
Watch the HGTV buying homes/selling your home programs to pick up some great hints...or go to the local library and look at books on home improvement or check/google the web for selling your home hints, staging your home, home improvement projects.
Paint is cheap - make those purple walls a more marketable beige so everyone can put up their beautiful Velour painted pictures.
Old appliances in the kitchen - buying some new applicance can make the kitchen look completely brand new, along with maybe painting/replacing cabinets, replacing outdated countertops are key or changing all those old tacky hardware - even better replacing old flooring with easy to put in flooring. Kitchens and baths are the biggest return for the investments in every home sale/renovations.
Curb appeal is really important - put in fresh flowers/plants and pull out weeds and those old/barely surviving or yucky juniper shrubs (fill in with whatever is taking over the front yard) put in grass plugs in those open patches. Front doors have to be spotless and maybe repainted/stained to look inviting. Dont leave alot of cars, campers, garbage cans and stuff out in the front to block your curb appeal....store all that stuff somewhere or best yet start downsizing now.
Homes that are in great shape....keep them looking pristine always, keep on all the lights when people come by...burn candles, bake cookies or heat aromatherapy oils...put out the pretty towels, clean those windows and hide all the junk and personal pictures and chotckes. Editing is really key here, make all those rooms feel spacious....
It might be worthwhile to have a property stager revamp your home with a few hours they can re arrange your possessions, edit and create real visual appeal with a minimal investment....or even cheaper watch the HGTV home selling shows to pick up tips
follow up scrupulously with your agents marketing program, what they are doing week to week, advertising, direct mailings, agent tours, agent flyers....how are they following up on leads and giving you feedback....nows the time to be aggressive marketing wise and some agents are really lazy about marketing outside of placing a few ads in the paper.
Keep on top of the competition in your area, visit them during their open houses and talk to the agents holding them open to gage whats happening in the market and how they are doing with their listing....any potential buyers, offers, how long in market, price reductions also ask them about their competition and input on marketing in todays market.
Craigslist or other free ad sites are very good leads, make sure your posted on these sites or your agents post on these sites that are not picked up by local MLS systems.
Even though the market is slow there are buyers out there shopping, you just need to make sure your home is the best home in the market, is the most appealing and updated or has other benefits (views, amenities, lot size, etc) to make it stand out...if not than buyers will just pass it by or really just shop for the best prices for a ho-hum type of home - so your only option is to reduce price....so the best bet is to invest in making your home stand out above the competition and really see whats out there in the market that is better than your home and make the necessary changes/improvements or price reductions to make your home stand out.
good luck with everyone and hope you get to puna soon.
noel
Watch the HGTV buying homes/selling your home programs to pick up some great hints...or go to the local library and look at books on home improvement or check/google the web for selling your home hints, staging your home, home improvement projects.
Paint is cheap - make those purple walls a more marketable beige so everyone can put up their beautiful Velour painted pictures.
Old appliances in the kitchen - buying some new applicance can make the kitchen look completely brand new, along with maybe painting/replacing cabinets, replacing outdated countertops are key or changing all those old tacky hardware - even better replacing old flooring with easy to put in flooring. Kitchens and baths are the biggest return for the investments in every home sale/renovations.
Curb appeal is really important - put in fresh flowers/plants and pull out weeds and those old/barely surviving or yucky juniper shrubs (fill in with whatever is taking over the front yard) put in grass plugs in those open patches. Front doors have to be spotless and maybe repainted/stained to look inviting. Dont leave alot of cars, campers, garbage cans and stuff out in the front to block your curb appeal....store all that stuff somewhere or best yet start downsizing now.
Homes that are in great shape....keep them looking pristine always, keep on all the lights when people come by...burn candles, bake cookies or heat aromatherapy oils...put out the pretty towels, clean those windows and hide all the junk and personal pictures and chotckes. Editing is really key here, make all those rooms feel spacious....
It might be worthwhile to have a property stager revamp your home with a few hours they can re arrange your possessions, edit and create real visual appeal with a minimal investment....or even cheaper watch the HGTV home selling shows to pick up tips
follow up scrupulously with your agents marketing program, what they are doing week to week, advertising, direct mailings, agent tours, agent flyers....how are they following up on leads and giving you feedback....nows the time to be aggressive marketing wise and some agents are really lazy about marketing outside of placing a few ads in the paper.
Keep on top of the competition in your area, visit them during their open houses and talk to the agents holding them open to gage whats happening in the market and how they are doing with their listing....any potential buyers, offers, how long in market, price reductions also ask them about their competition and input on marketing in todays market.
Craigslist or other free ad sites are very good leads, make sure your posted on these sites or your agents post on these sites that are not picked up by local MLS systems.
Even though the market is slow there are buyers out there shopping, you just need to make sure your home is the best home in the market, is the most appealing and updated or has other benefits (views, amenities, lot size, etc) to make it stand out...if not than buyers will just pass it by or really just shop for the best prices for a ho-hum type of home - so your only option is to reduce price....so the best bet is to invest in making your home stand out above the competition and really see whats out there in the market that is better than your home and make the necessary changes/improvements or price reductions to make your home stand out.
good luck with everyone and hope you get to puna soon.
noel