Once again, we are in a transitioning market. As it happens you will find others, and ultimately yourself, doing things a bit differently than what has been occurring over the past couple of years. Instead of putting your home up anticipating a dozen or more offers regardless of its condition, likely you will now meet the competition by dressing it up and doing the small things to make it show better. Nothing more obvious and effective than the pleasant smell when entering the home. It may be a scent emitter or the more effective cinnamon rolls in the oven trick that appeals to just about everyone. Pleasant smells are just one sense to appeal to. Eighty percent of the population are primary visual, so it is important to please the visuals. Remove the clutter, touch up the paint, and make it bright. Pick up the dirty laundry and clean the cat box for the showing – you are competing now, and every little thing counts like hundredths of a second in a Formula 1 race. Remember the outside. There is never a second chance to get a first impression. What will a buyer see driving up for the first time? Remember, they most likely will drive by it before they even call their agent to see it. Don’t just spruce things up on showing day, have it show ready in the front every day that you are on the market. Mow the lawn, pull or trim the weeds, trim the hedge/bushes, etc. Make it fresh and inviting so they will make an appointment to see the inside. The backyard might be more important to the buyer than it currently is to you. Pick up the “landmines” (dog debris), clean the barbecue and lawn furniture, make it a fun inviting environment that a buyer can envision his family and friends enjoying. As they look, inside and out, they are picturing themselves living there. They might just suntan out there or play competitive corn hole. Make it fresh and appealing for them. Another way to stand out is to hire vendors to inspect your home before you enter the market. You will know for yourself, and can represent, the true objective condition of the home. If there is an unexpected deficiency you will have time to mitigate it, so it won’t be a way out for a buyer during the course of an escrow. Your inspection report can’t be used by the buyer for recourse against the inspector in the event of an error, but it can give them some preliminary comfort in the condition of the home, and they will see your confidence in your representation of what you own. It’s OK to pack while your home is for sale. It is an indicator to the buyer that you are ready to move and are working on it. Don’t block the view window with packed boxes or prevent a buyer from enjoying a key room in its entirety, but if you stack boxes in a guest room or garage you may actually help, not hinder your cause. Remember, you are competing now so go the extra mile. We all know that it is lonely on the extra mile so make the effort and get your home sold. You will stand out and be given a second thought by the buyers for the effort you make. You may lose out to another home because of a feature or two, but it won’t be because your home wasn’t in selling condition. Don’t just follow the market down because it is dropping a bit, spruce up your bait and keep it fresh. Good fresh bait always works better than tired flavorless enticements. Do the work and hold the line. If you have to reduce eventually, you will still sell higher than the competition in this type of market. Price always works to sell something. There is always a price at which it will sell, but if you present it in the most favorable light, you will get more than those that don’t. When it comes to choosing professionals to assist you with your Real Estate needs… Experience is Priceless! Jim Valentine, RE/MAX Realty Affiliates, BS.3481, 775-781-3704. dpwtigers@hotmail.com
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