Get ready. Many Realtors agree it takes 30 days to ready a house before
the "For Sale" signs goes up, because those first impressions often
will prove the most important factor in whether a "looker" eventually
becomes a "buyer." Make the investment in external repairs that can
mean the difference between a quick "No" and extra time spent examining
your house. This is the time to paint, patch and repair what buyers
will see first. Buyers are more forgiving in a strong real estate
market, not in a weak market.
Selling a home is a stressful event, especially when a real estate boom
goes bust. Here are ten tips to help you take the stress out of selling
your home in a tough market.
Do
your Realtor homework. In a lousy real estate market, you want the best
help you can get to sell your home. Prepare a list of questions, and
take your time interviewing a Realtor (or real estate professional).
Comparison shop. No one’s rushing to buy homes this year, so don’t be
in a rush to choose a Realtor.
Get ready. Many Realtors agree
it takes 30 days to ready a house before the "For Sale" signs goes up,
because those first impressions often will prove the most important
factor in whether a "looker" eventually becomes a "buyer." Make the
investment in external repairs that can mean the difference between a
quick "No" and extra time spent examining your house. This is the time
to paint, patch and repair what buyers will see first. Buyers are more
forgiving in a strong real estate market, not in a weak market.
Consult
the owners of homes that successfully sell. What buyers consider
valuable can vary from region to region. Ask those in your community
with a newly placed "sold" sign for pointers on how to prepare your
house for sale. What did they notice that most "lookers" paid attention
to, or commented on, when exploring their house? Ask for advice on
whether new carpet seemed more important than a fresh coat of paint on
the walls. Ask several owners of recently sold homes, and take lots of
notes. These can serve as your guide to using your time wisely to
prepare your home for sale.
Actively engage your family. Let
them know that there will be "company," and to assist you with their
unique skills. Let the list-maker in your family make repair and
"sprucing up" lists, and keep lists of Open House dates and other
important information. Share the work of selling a home, and every
family member will have a personal stake in your success. Delegating
the work that goes into selling a home also will dramatically reduce
your stress.
Be flexible with personal plans. From the time the
"For Sale" sign goes up, plan in advance to be flexible about
activities that won’t distract from your major goal. Don’t plan messy
parties or major functions during this period, because you want your
home to be tidy at all times. Arrange family gatherings elsewhere. When
homes aren’t selling, avoid every misstep.
De-clutter. A
cluttered house looks smaller. Rent a temporary space at a local
storage facility and fill it with seasonal items extra clothes and even
extra furniture. A de-cluttered house also will reduce your stress
levels by simplifying the sprucing-up process. Place personal items out
of sight. If you’re overworked and time-starved, place an ad on
Craigslist.org and hire a college student or affordable cleaning
service to help you. If you can’t afford that, consider downsizing your
possessions. Are they really worth cleaning, storing and stepping over
year after year?
Disappear your pets. (temporarily, of course)
Not everyone likes dogs; not everyone likes cats. Arrange for a day
away in a boarding facility or away from home with a member of your
family on Open House days. In a bad real estate market, don’t give
potential buyers an excuse to walk away.
Stage your house.
There are professional staging services, but if you can’t afford it,
you can also "stage" your house to make it the most attractive.
Exchange harsh lighting for soft lighting. Veteran real estate
professionals swear by the smell of freshly baked cookies. Sprinkle
baking soda on your carpet before you vacuum. Buy a bouquet of fresh
flowers such as inexpensive daisies to brighten up your room.
Be
honest. No house is perfect. Be honest about shortcomings. The buyer
will trust your honesty and be more inclined to trust a decision to
make a purchase. It’s a buyer’s market, so become a trustworthy seller.
Be
realistic. The higher the price, the longer it will take to sell your
home, especially in a lousy real estate market with high foreclosure
rates that are pushing home prices down. Have a frank discussion with
your agent about what amount you will accept below the asking price, or
how long it will take to find a buyer who will meet your price. Engage
a practical friend or family member in this discussion.
Selling
your home during a tough real estate market isn’t impossible. It simply
requires pulling out all the stops and being fully informed.
