December 15th, 2023 10:02 AM by Linda Holley
SELLERS: DON'T BE A SCROOGE. It's a buyer's market and your competition is new construction! Here are 20 ways to help you sell your home!
1. Forget trying to sell it yourself (FSBO). Hire a trained and knowledgeable listing agent to maximize exposure of your home globally. Which brokerage does he/she work for or have worked for in the past? Ask. That indicates their level of professionalism and training. Do they have professional designations recognized by the National Association of Realtors? Ask for testimonials. And listen to your agent!
2. Curb appeal. Your yard should be top-notch. Keep grass cut and edged, flower beds free of weeds, pressure wash the home, clean the gutters, pool, paint the front door, entrance, and interior.
3. Strip old wallpaper. l980's wallpaper doesn't cut it today.
4. Get an appraisal and price the home correctly. Today is not the time to test the market.
5. Get a home inspection and perform repairs as recommended by the home inspector. I recommend Peace of Mind Home Inspections that serves Sarasota and Manatee Counties in Florida.
6. Try to get your neighbor to fix his broken fence.
7. Clean out your closets. Buyers will laugh about your 67 pairs of stilettos and may think you're a little "kinky."
8. Pet odors are offensive, and many people have allergies. Clean your carpets, set a cup of white vinegar near the litter box and hide a few small containers of baking soda throughout your home. Coffee grounds also works. Spray your home with Febreze air freshener before showings. Remove animals and litter box for showings. No one loves your cat like you do...and it may dash out when the agent and buyer walk in. Some people won't buy a home if they know a cat lives there.
9. Leave lights on for showings and turn on soft music. We have some great music channels on the tv for easy listening. Since this is a senior's market, an oldies station works well, especially for open houses.
10. Take care of buyer's agent: bonus, or offer commission of 3.5, 4, 5, or 6%. It works! That's how homes were sold in Atlanta during the recession.
11. Even if you are under an As-Is Contract, work with the buyer on repairs. Buyer may be able to buy a new home for the same price. Don't be a Scrooge!
12. If your home needs updates and it's empty, consider using a professional stager.
13. Do you have an old electrical panel? Savvy buyers and their agent will open it...so change it or it will be an issue after buyer's inspection. A buyer may be able to walk away if he/she can't get insurance that cites 4-point issues (electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and the roof). The 4-point inspection issues can easily kill your deal and it takes time to pull and close permits for electrical work.
14. Check with your county for open permits on your home. This can hold up the closing.
15. If work was done without a permit (roof, windows, HVAC), shame on you! This WILL make a difference, delay closing, and cause buyers to walk away.
16. Offer credit at closing towards buyers closing costs.
17. Buy down buyer's interest rate.
19. ALWAYS use a professional photographer.
20. Buyers getting a mortgage can get out of deals if there are repair, insurance, or homeowners association issues. BEWARE and be nice, Mr. Seller!
WISHING YOU AND YOUR FAMILY A BLESSED HOLIDAY SEASON. Call Linda Holley, Realtor, GRI, SRES, CIPS, Fine Properties for your real estate needs in Sarasota County.
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