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| Top 10 Tips For Selling Your Home In A Buyers Market |
If you have been watching the news lately you have probably heard the real estate bubble has burst. Properties around the country are sitting on the market much longer than in the past. Bad news for sellers, good news for buyers. With the downturn in the real estate market, what should you do if you need to sell your home?
If you are realistic in your asking price and properly prepare you home for sale, there is no reason you house shouldn’t sell. Set a timeline of when you need to sell by and start preparing today. The top 10 things you should do include:
1. Have a professional home inspection. Usually this is done on the back end, after someone has made an offer. By having it done yourself you can find out ahead of time all the little problems that need to be taken care of. Often it is these little things that can be a deal breaker at closing time and delay the sale of the house. You can also now offer your house with a pre inspection, letting prospective buyers know what items have been fixed.
2. Clutter. Get rid of it! The number one turn off for a buyer is walking into a house and seeing lots of clutter. Clean out your office. Pack away the kids toys. Clean |
out the basement and garage. Throw it out, pack it away, and get it out of the house. Empty out the closets. Buyers want to see lots of closet space. No matter how big your closets are, buyers won’t be able to tell if it is jammed full.
3. De-Personalize. A buyer has a vision of how their things are going to fit in. That vision can get distracted if all they see is family photos and all your collectibles. Pack it away and make your house neutral.
4. Clean! No one wants to buy a dirty house. A double spring cleaning is in order. Clean the grease and grime out of the kitchen. Get rid of the mold in the bathroom. Clean the dirt and cobwebs out of the basement. Dust in places you haven’t dusted in 10 years. Clean all the windows. Air out your house. A stale and musty smell is a real turn off. Keep it fresh and make it sparkle.
5. Paint. One of the cheapest ways to freshen up the inside of a house is with a fresh coat of paint. A good neutral color will do wonders. Patch the holes in the wall while you are at it. Don’t forget “ceiling white”. Another fairly inexpensive item that can make a room standout is by adding crown molding.
6. Landscape. Start with picking up |
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the yard and any clutter. Trim up overgrown bushes and trees. Repair or replace any broken steps, retaining walls, gutters, concrete, fences or decks. Power wash your deck and give it a new coat of sealer or stain. Same with a wooded fence if it needs it.
7. Carpets and floors. Buyers love wood floors! If you have original wood floors covered by carpet, consider taking out the carpet and having the wood floors refinished. Replace old, worn or outdated carpet. Newer carpet should be professionally cleaned. New wood floors or vinyl floors can be an inexpensive upgrade.
8. Kitchens and bathrooms. Kitchens can make or break a sale. A total remodel usually is not necessary. Depending on your budget, you can paint the cabinets, have them refaced or simply add new hardware. New laminate countertops are inexpensive. Replace appliances that are old and outdated. Make use of the space if you have room for an eat-in kitchen. Replace the sink and faucet if it is old. Update the lighting. Smelly dingy bathrooms are a turn off. New paint, lighting and an updated vanity will impress buyers. Regrouting old tile will make it look like new.
9. Staging. There are professionals that will |
come in and arrange your furniture to maximize your space. Old ratty sofas should be move out. Clear out all unnecessary furniture. You want your home to flow and look comfortable, inviting and clutter free.
10. Set a realistic price. Pricing your home 1-2 percent less than similar homes in your area will help close the sale. The higher your price over comparable homes the longer it will sit on the market.
Start preparing your home for sale today and you will have a buyer in no time. Not only will you sell your home quicker but by following these 10 steps you will probably get more money than you would if you did nothing.
About the Author:
These tips are brought to you by EZ Realtor Finder. Search for local real estate agents and local property listings. Receive newest property listings by email. View property slide shows. Realtors add your real estate business and propery listings for free.
Article Source: www.iSnare.com
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