Showing Your Home
So....you'd like to sell your house? Great! Everyone's doing it. But this is your first time and you'll be doing the sale yourself. Nervous? Of course!
The fact is, it's only unnerving because you haven't got a clue about the dynamics of selling a house - your house. It's the one asset you have where you've plunked down your lifetime savings. Now you want it all back!
That equity you were slowly building over these years will come back to you a hundredfold because you've thought about it long enough to realize that there is a handsome profit waiting to be made.
Don't worry! This episode in your life doesn't need to be a drama of horrors. In this book, we've collected important tips for you - the first timer - all 101 of them, in fact.
And when that check finally lands on your hands and the last box has been shipped out of your house to make way for the new owners, it will be exhilarating - more exhilarating than you've ever imagined it to be.
Study the tips. Some you already know, no doubt. But even with 101 or 1001 tips, you'd still need professional advice - you managed to eliminate the real estate agent, but you'll still need your lawyer (or notary) and your accountant.
You need to consult with other professionals as well - like the professional house inspector who can dish out valuable advice about repairs and maintenance.
These tips can help you map out a selling strategy for your house, and when you turn the lock for the last time, you'll come out of the experience wiser. And yes, wealthier, too.
The confidence you gain by getting your feet wet the first time could - who knows? - make you want to do it the second time, and then a third time...and more!
Showing Your Home
It bothers me...
When buyers come to visit, make sure there is nothing about your house that will distract them. Make sure the entrance door is clean, and if it's winter time, make sure the snow has been cleared.
Ensure that the entranceway is well lit and doesn't look in disarray. Remove coats and other clothing from their field of vision, no skis by the doorway, no ball or other play objects that may obstruct the path or cause them to trip over. A buyer who trips in your house is a terrible way to start.
Dust collectors.
Buyers must feel that the seller has taste and class. Get rid of clutter before their visit. Dust collecting trophies and souvenir items bought during trips can make an ugly sight especially if they're too close to one another without any order and are thick with dust!
Surround yourself with beauty.
Of course be old-fashioned: good lights and flowers would be nice (not too much though - your buyer could be allergic to flower scents).
I knew you'd ask that!
Putting up signs to answer frequent questions can save you time. It's also an efficient way to let you give the tour without being interrupted too many times.
Signs can include things like: condo fees are $150.00 per month, appliances, fixtures and draperies are included with the sale, garage and garden equipment are included, china not included, there are 8 phone jacks on the first floor and 3 on the second floor, there is a wireless connection, shelves are included, etc.
Children OK, animals NO!
Get your pets out of the way. You won't know in advance who is allergic to dogs and cats. Plus the barking of dogs and the meowing of cats can be very distracting, and an annoyance for non-pet lovers.
Who's that standing by the door?
Before buyers come, it's good to have a closer. The closer should be clearly visible to buyers, and should be near the door so he/she can keep track of buyers who arrive and leave the property.
The closer can usually tell by your instincts who are the interested buyers. When the closer asks if they want to know how the bidding process works, those who are not interested will simply say no and leave.
The fact is, it's only unnerving because you haven't got a clue about the dynamics of selling a house - your house. It's the one asset you have where you've plunked down your lifetime savings. Now you want it all back!
That equity you were slowly building over these years will come back to you a hundredfold because you've thought about it long enough to realize that there is a handsome profit waiting to be made.
Don't worry! This episode in your life doesn't need to be a drama of horrors. In this book, we've collected important tips for you - the first timer - all 101 of them, in fact.
And when that check finally lands on your hands and the last box has been shipped out of your house to make way for the new owners, it will be exhilarating - more exhilarating than you've ever imagined it to be.
Study the tips. Some you already know, no doubt. But even with 101 or 1001 tips, you'd still need professional advice - you managed to eliminate the real estate agent, but you'll still need your lawyer (or notary) and your accountant.
You need to consult with other professionals as well - like the professional house inspector who can dish out valuable advice about repairs and maintenance.
These tips can help you map out a selling strategy for your house, and when you turn the lock for the last time, you'll come out of the experience wiser. And yes, wealthier, too.
The confidence you gain by getting your feet wet the first time could - who knows? - make you want to do it the second time, and then a third time...and more!
Showing Your Home
It bothers me...
When buyers come to visit, make sure there is nothing about your house that will distract them. Make sure the entrance door is clean, and if it's winter time, make sure the snow has been cleared.
Ensure that the entranceway is well lit and doesn't look in disarray. Remove coats and other clothing from their field of vision, no skis by the doorway, no ball or other play objects that may obstruct the path or cause them to trip over. A buyer who trips in your house is a terrible way to start.
Dust collectors.
Buyers must feel that the seller has taste and class. Get rid of clutter before their visit. Dust collecting trophies and souvenir items bought during trips can make an ugly sight especially if they're too close to one another without any order and are thick with dust!
Surround yourself with beauty.
Of course be old-fashioned: good lights and flowers would be nice (not too much though - your buyer could be allergic to flower scents).
I knew you'd ask that!
Putting up signs to answer frequent questions can save you time. It's also an efficient way to let you give the tour without being interrupted too many times.
Signs can include things like: condo fees are $150.00 per month, appliances, fixtures and draperies are included with the sale, garage and garden equipment are included, china not included, there are 8 phone jacks on the first floor and 3 on the second floor, there is a wireless connection, shelves are included, etc.
Children OK, animals NO!
Get your pets out of the way. You won't know in advance who is allergic to dogs and cats. Plus the barking of dogs and the meowing of cats can be very distracting, and an annoyance for non-pet lovers.
Who's that standing by the door?
Before buyers come, it's good to have a closer. The closer should be clearly visible to buyers, and should be near the door so he/she can keep track of buyers who arrive and leave the property.
The closer can usually tell by your instincts who are the interested buyers. When the closer asks if they want to know how the bidding process works, those who are not interested will simply say no and leave.
Source...