If you have your home for sale and you are frustrated because it isn’t moving, don’t give up. The real estate market is a tough one right now, but homes are selling. It just takes the right techniques.
The right real estate agent, curb appeal, home staging and many other factors contribute to the speed of your home sale.
As a seller, you need to remember that when staging your home for sale, it is no longer about how you live in the house, but rather about how potential buyers see themselves living in your house. You need to think about why you chose to buy the house. There must have been something that attracted you to it. Maybe it was the location, the fireplace, the number of bedrooms, etc. Make a list of those attractions and then see if you are optimizing those features now that you are selling your house.
Using a real estate agent or for sale by owner is an ongoing debate. There are definitely pros and cons to both sides, but either one has the same goal and that is a quick sale.
The true real estate agent is a professional who is dedicated to the task of matching listings to buyers. This person studies the area and knows all the neighborhoods in that area. A professional agent keeps up on the local news and is aware of what’s going on not only in the real estate market, but also in the school districts, issues at city hall and higher crime areas, just to name a few.
Of course, an agent’s main focus is on real estate. Keeping an up to the minute tracking on all listings is obviously essential and with the computer technology available now has become much easier. However, it still takes time and unless that’s all you do, the average person does not have that kind of extra time. That’s why a real estate agent is an asset to have on your side.
Most people become emotionally attached to their home, especially if they have lived in the same house for a long time. One of the hardest things to do when selling your house is to stop being the homeowner and become the buyer.
Sit down and make a list of the things that are most important to you if you were buying a house. 
Probably that list would include items such as how much repair work is needed on the house, if the landscaping is complete or in need of attention, the condition and age of fixtures and appliances and, of course, the overall flow and appearance of the interior.
Now, assess your home and go through your list evaluating your home’s features. If your home does not meet the criteria you are looking for in a house, it probably won’t appeal to a potential buyer, either. You may not be quite ready to post that For Sale sign just yet.
The best place to start evaluating your home’s attributes is out at the street. Stand out in front of your home and really take a good look. Curb appeal is probably the most important feature of a home. If a buyer is not drawn to the house by the curb appeal, it doesn’t matter what’s on the inside because they won’t want to even come in and look. Overgrown trees and shrubs hiding the house or windows will send potential buyers on their way down the street. At the same time, having no landscaping features will have buyers seeing immediate work and expense to deal with. A nicely landscaped lawn is a magnet to pulling buyers in the door. I found a couple of books for getting started on your home’s curb appeal. They are both great for diy landscaping and lawn ideas, or you can tackle a more professional look. Remember, the exterior of your home is always on display when you have a for sale in the yard. It is essential to keep that lawn in perfect condition everyday your home is on the market.
Included in the curb appeal is the appearance of the exterior of the house itself. Chipping paint, broken windows or shutters and cracked concrete do not say welcome to a potential buyer. Unless you are advertising your house as a fixer-upper, attention to every detail is crutial. Even evaluating the color of your house is important. There was a time when cocoa brown siding and bright orange trim was quite the thing. However, trends change and it is imperative to pay attention to those trends when putting your house on the market. If the exterior of your house needs a complete overhaul, get started!
As was already mentioned, the exterior of your property is on display 24 hours a day when it is on the market. Again, don’t forget the details when considering your curb appeal. Pay attention to where you store the garbage - there is nothing attractive about a blue recycling box sitting on the front stoop. Little things like keeping the garage doors shut and making sure the kids keep their bikes and toys out of the front yard go a long way in making your home attractive. It seems like a lot of work, but the more diligent you are the faster that house will sell.
Did you know a buyer walking into a home decides if he/she is interested in that home within the first 8 seconds of entering that house? Again, it is essential to remove the emotional attachment for your home and stand at the front door. What is going to be the first thing a buyer sees when entering the house? A cluttered entryway or foyer is not a good welcome to a buyer. In fact, it will almost immediately kill the sale.
Now take a look at your main living areas. Too much furniture or furniture that is too large for a room is distracting to buyers. They need to be able to move around and get a feel for the flow of the house. Home staging has become a household word in today’s real estate market. The “less is more” rule is essential when putting your home on the market. Paring down the furniture and accessories and letting the house sell itself is key. For more ideas and to learn how easy it is to de-clutter, click here.
When thinking about accessories, you have to take a look at the personal items displayed in your house. Again, you have to remove yourself from emotional attachment and remember you want buyers to look at the house, not those adorable children of yours. De-personalizing your house is one of the most important steps you can take to get your house ready to put on the market.
A good way to get motivated to pare down your personal items is to think of it as getting a jumpstart on your packing. You are getting your house ready for a quick sale, so you’re going to be moving soon anyway.
As long as you are packing, don’t forget to go through all those closets and cabinets in your house. Buyers will open closet doors and look inside the kitchen cabinets. Storage is one of the most important features buyers are looking for in a house. Making your storage areas show as large as possible is absolutely essential. Remember, de-cluttering is key. Again, you are moving soon anyway, so get a head start on that packing. Remove at least half of everything you have in your closets and arrange what is remaining in an organized manner. It may seem like overkill, but arranging your clothing according to color and using matching hangers will make your closet appear much larger.
While you are de-personalizing, don’t forget those furry or feathered friends who may occupy the house with you. Of course you love your pets, but you have to remember not everyone does. It is of utmost importance to eliminate any signs of animals in the house. Many people are turned off by pet hair, pet food, litter boxes and anything that makes it appear there are animals living there. Remember, many people have allergies to certain animals and if they can’t be in the house because they are sneezing or their eyes are watering too much, they aren’t going to be writing an offer.
Kitchens and bathrooms sell homes. There’s no getting around it. Many of the experts will suggest you completely re-do these rooms, but let’s face it, most of us cannot afford that. Besides, the house is up for sale, so you’re leaving. However, there are some things to consider. A re-do on one of these rooms will bring an average of 70% - 90% return on your investment.
There are small changes and updates that can be done to also bring a pretty good return and make your home sale ready. First look at the paint color. Paint is a really inexpensive fix that goes a long way. A fresh coat of neutral color paint in any room, or the whole house, will make your home stand out. In many homes, especially older homes, there is probably wallpaper, usually in the kitchen and/or bath. Buyers have trouble seeing past wallpaper, so take it down! It’s not difficult and there are several products on the market to help with this. Just be sure you use a scoring tool so the procuct will get to the adhesive. Then use a scraper to easily peel it off.
If you do nothing in your kitchen except buy new appliances, you will reap the rewards. New appliances will win a buyer over in short order, especially if you choose stainless steel. If possible, put in a gas stove, as this seems to be the trend. If you cannot do all the appliances, for sure replace an old range/oven. There are products now available that are basically peel and stick, which can change the color of a dishwasher and refrigerators can be spray painted to match the oven/stove. Be sure to use the correct product and follow the directions to ensure a professional looking result.
The most important feature in a bathroom is cleanliness. People will not buy your dirt! Again, take down that out-dated wallpaper and paint a neutral color on the walls. A new vanity and coutertop will go a long way in luring people in. Be sure old grout and caulking have been cleaned or removed and replaced. Small fixes that make a big difference. If a new bathtub or shower are not in your budget, consider having the old ones re-glazed.
Always assess the lighting in the bathroom. A new up-dated light fixture is always a good idea. As mentioned, a fresh coat of neutral paint will really help your bathroom shine. You can add color using new accessories such as towels, shower curtains and window treatments. Choose items you can take with you when you move and have a head start on decorating your new home.
Having your home on the market and for sale is a real inconvenience. It basically means a change in your lifestyle. All your personal items are packed away, your furniture has been pared down and you are living in a model home.
However, it is imperative that you keep your house show-ready at all times. When a potential buyer or your real estate agent call for a showing, you want to get them into your home as soon as possible. The sooner you let them into your house, the less time they have to find a different property to look at.
Of course, this means being very diligent about keeping your house tidy and clean. Yes, everyone is very busy these days and schedules are hard enough to keep up. So how do you keep up with the house, too? Remember, you have already packed away many of your things and the cabinets and closets are already cleaned and organized. That’s half the battle right there!
If you have kids at home, yes, they will create messes and whine and complain about having to clean up after themselves. However, if everyone will chip in it will make for a much more pleasant and organized household. Spending a halfhour before bed picking up and organizing bedrooms will eliminate much of the morning rush. In the morning, simply putting away sleeping clothes and doing a quick make of the bed is a snap.
Very small children are also a challenge, as they probably are not much help and can create big messes in a short time. However, they usually tend to go to bed earlier than the older ones, so this leaves more time for clean-up after they are asleep. For more tips on quick clean-up ideas, click here.
If it is possible, it’s really helpful to have a friend or neighbor “on-call” to help with last minute details. You may be at work and get the call someone wants to see your house this afternoon. Having someone available to do a quick walk-through of your house just to make sure it is suitable for showing will put your mind at ease. Also, if they can take the dog for a walk or make sure the cat is contained to a certain area is a real plus. Of course, these arrangements have to be worked out ahead of time and your “on-call” person must have access to your house.
Yes, having your house for sale is an inconvenience, but remember, it won’t be for long. If you are prepared and follow the proper techniques, your home will sell quickly and for more money.