Selling a Home: Tips for a Quick Home Sale
When selling your home, there are a number
of steps you can take to accomplish that goal more quickly. Your REALTOR®,
a real estate professional who belongs to the National Association of
REALTORS®, will have a lot of helpful hints to make your home easier to
sell, but here are some general things to keep in mind:
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First impressions are lasting. The
front door should be fresh and clean, and the yard should be neat and cleared
of any toys or debris.
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Make certain that your home is clean
and appealing. If the walls look dingy, paint or re-paper them.
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Fix any dripping faucets. They
discolor sinks and add to your plumbing repair bills.
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Fix any loose knobs, sticking doors,
windows, and drawers. Failure to do so may be interpreted as a sign of
neglect.
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Bathrooms are a selling point; make
certain that everything is shining. Clean and repair bathtub and basin
caulking. Clothing and personal items should be put away.
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Make certain the kitchen and all
appliances are spotless.
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Cluttered rooms look smaller than they
are; remove excess furniture.
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Closets and storage areas can look
larger by disposing of items you don't need and storing the rest neatly.
Clearing them out now will also help you when you move.
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If paint on the exterior trim is
peeling, it's time to get out the paintbrush.
Once you get everything in shape, here
are some additional points for showing your home:
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Before the prospective buyer arrives,
create a cheerful atmosphere by opening drapes and curtains. Make certain the
temperature is comfortable throughout your home.
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Avoid having too many people present.
Potential buyers may feel like intruders and hurry through.
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Unless pets are quiet, peaceful and
well behaved, get them out of the way.
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Soft background music may be
acceptable, but turn off blaring stereos, radios and televisions. They can only
impede discussions.
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Silence is golden. Too much talking on
your part can only distract from the buyer's inspection of your
home.
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Never apologize for the appearance of
your home. After all, it's been lived in. Let your REALTOR® react to
comments.
It's a good idea to stay in the background
-- better yet, get out of the house. Your REALTOR® is trained to sell your
house, is familiar with the buyer's needs, and can point out the significant
features of your home.
First Time Buyers >A Matter of Timing
Buying real estate can sometimes involve tricky timing. For example, you may have found the perfect house and are thinking about making an offer, but are feeling pressured to make a decision just when you want time to consider the matter. The agent tells you that another party is thinking about making an offer, so you shouldn't hesitate if you really want the house. What should you do? Trust your agent!
It is natural to feel some pressure from even the most easy-going real estate agent--and some uncertainty about making an offer. If you really like a house, there is always the possibility that someone else will share your enthusiasm for it. Whether your local market is active or sluggish, it is sensible to assume that another offer is likely to come in. Perhaps you can afford to "sleep on it", but moving as quickly as possible will minimize the possibility that the house will go to another buyer.
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| Q |
What are three of the best indicators of real estate market trends?
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| A |
Existing home sales, new home building and mortgage interest rates.
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- NUMBER1EXPERT™ 
