Russell's Short Course for Sellers

 Know Your Market!

Every seller wnats to sell for the highest amount possible in teh desired time frame.  To determine the most probable selling price range, you and your real estate agent need to know:

• What's the competition?
• What prices have similar homes sold for recently? 
• For homes like yours, wjat's the average time on the market?
• How many homes have sold in teh last year, compared to how many are now for sale?
• How do sale prices compare with list prices?
• Are values going up, coming down, or remaining steady?

Pricing it right is key.  Thanks to the internet, buyers are well informed and reject proerties the perceive to be overpriced.  Remember, when you argue with the market, the market always wins.

 Start Your Move Early

It doesn't matter if you don't know where you're going, or when.  Every homeowner has things that won't make it to the new home.  If you start now to discard, give away and sell the "unnecessaries," you'll not only simplify the job for later, you'll make your house feel larger and more appealing to potential buyers.  Next job:  pack up non-essentials like knick-knacks and photo collections to reduce cluter and help buyers imagine your house as their house.

 Watch Out for Moisture

When your home is for sale -- or you're just thinking about putting it on the market -- maintenance issues take on extra importance.  Water in the wrong place can be more than just a nuisance.  Not only can it cause wood to rot; it can also attract wood-destroying inects and provide fertile ground for mold.  Mold can cause numerous health problems and is nothing to sneeze at (pardon the pun).  Even if you're not trying to sell, a wise homeowner should promptly dry out or remove any material that has gotten wet, repair areas where water has leaked or intruded, keep exterior surfaces painted or selaed, and follow safe procedures to kill existing mold and/or remove contaminated material.  We can provide you with links to government publications on mold and refer you to qualified professionals.

Seeing with a Buyer's Eyes

You've been looking at your house for years, but folks who are thinking of buying it are probably seeing it for the first time.  How can you ompress them?  The next time you go out, come back home pretending you've never been there before.  What do you see?  If it's truly an appealing picture, the phones will ring when the sign goes up.  If you see clutter and maintenance issues staring back at you, buyers will see them, too.  Call us for professional advice about how to do and spend the least to get the most when you sell your home.

 Making a Good Impression

You can increase your chances of a sale by creating a welcoming environment for showings.  Here are a few tips:

• Accommodate buyers' schedules whenever possible.
• Keep driveway, walk and steps clear of snow and ice and in good repair.
• Maintain the lawn -- mowed; free of debris, toys and clutter.
• Remove any strong odors.
• Tidy up; wash dishes, make beds.
• Clean, clean, clean!  Wash windows, shampoo carpets.
• Open window coverings for maximum light.
• Replace dim or dead light bulbs with bright ones.
• Leave heat on if house is unoccupied.
• Clear stairways and paths to all areas, including mechanicals.
• Keep pets out of the way.
• Arrange to be elsewhere during showings:  this gives buyers a chance to imagine the home as thiers, not yours.

In short, say "Welcome home!"