This week we wanted to share an article from one of our small business partners. We know this is not graphic design related but we thought this was an interesting and useful article. Please feel free to call or email Crista Martin with Atova Real Estate with any questions or concerns you may have about our real estate market. She is a true professional and is always available. Crista Martin: 208-373-1064 or Crista@IdahoRealEstate.com
Article by Crista Martin with Atova, Inc.:
“Over recent years I’ve taken notes from my buyer clients as to what they perceived as being “seller pitfalls or missteps”. I’ve combined their thoughts, along with those of professional real estate agents, and made the following list in no particular order, as one’s opinion may be different than another’s.
Thinking your home is the exception. I understand that selling a home is an emotional process, but this is business. Allowing your emotions to obscure the realities of today’s market is a huge mistake. I may agree that your home is great and you’ve taken pride in it. But, is it priced emotion free? Did you up the price here and there for new things you’ve added to the home over the years and did you put a retail price on those items? Is it all show and no go? If you were a buyer, what would make you buy your home over a comparable home in the same area for less? Which brings me to the next item.
Not checking out the competition. If you have not scouted the competition, you are at a serious disadvantage. A buyer is looking at every home that meets a certain criteria. In doing so, they are looking for a reason to disqualify a property and make their list shorter. To stay competitive you need to know what you are up against. You should go to open houses for comparable homes and observe how long the property has been on the market. If you see a comparable home that is fantastic, but it has been on the market for 7 months, do you wonder why? On the contrary, if you see a home that is honestly not as desirable as yours, but it sells in 30 days, can you make sense of it? In either case, is pricing, location, marketing or home presentation the issue? If you choose to hire an agent, they will do their research from a business point of view, you should as well. It will make for a more honest approach to listing the property and a shorter, smoother process.
Not prepping your home. Now is not the time to renovate, but little fixes can go a long ways. A lot of buyers are still judging a book by its cover and it may be hard to get them out of the car. Agents have likely previewed the property already and found it to be a match for their client, but all of that can go out the window if a buyer doesn’t like what they see when we pull in the driveway. Agents need your help. If we make it to the door, there is about 30 seconds of time that passes while an agent accesses the lockbox. It is amazing what a buyer can observe in that short time.
A quick coat of paint on the front door, placing a brand new welcome mat, making sure all light bulbs are in working condition and oiling the door hardware and hinges goes a long way. A fresh coat of neutral (not white) paint inside, fresh trim outside, perfectly manicured landscaping and updated light fixtures will help you put your best foot forward.
The home needs to be cleaned from top (air returns, light fixtures, plant shelves) to bottom (baseboards, carpets and under appliances) and everything in between (doors, cabinets and appliances) with special attention to the bathrooms and kitchen.
A buyer needs to be able to picture themselves in the home and wants to feel like they are getting a lot of space and adequate storage for the money. It is truly hard to do with the sellers’ pictures, drawings and taste-specific items throughout the home. Couple that with overstuffed cabinets and closets and you will likely be at a disadvantage. A typical rule of thumb is to remove 30%-50% of your belongings before the home goes on the market. Your home will be a more neutral palate, appear bigger and will be organized. It seems like a lot, but it will be less to pack during escrow!
Now here’s a sensitive issue. The nose knows. Many a deal have not had the opportunity to come together because of a smell or scent in the home. Often times we cannot smell our own home, but others can. When in doubt (pets, children or smoke), rent an ozone machine to deodorize. Do not perfume your home with candles, plug-ins, fresh baked goods etc. for three reasons. Some have allergies, some will think you are trying to hide something and others may simply not like the scent you’ve chosen.
Devise a marketing plan. Can you sell your home objectively or should you hire an agent? Do you have the time to properly market your home? Are you prepared to assume liability for the transaction? Are you willing to pay for all marketing materials? Although nobody knows more about your home than you do, nobody knows more about the market and process than a qualified agent. When choosing an agent, be sure to make note of their qualifications, negotiating skills, drive and list to sold ratios. A true professional can devote the time, money and effort needed to get your home from listed to sold.
Following these tips will directly impact your ability to move on to the next phase in your life. I hope it helps and I’m happy to respond to any inquiries. Good Luck!”
Crista Martin: 208-373-1064 or Crista@IdahoRealEstate.com
