1.
Understand Why You Are Selling Your Home
Your motivation to sell is the determining factor as to
how you will approach the process. It affects everything from what
you set your asking price at to how much time, money and effort
you're willing to invest in order to prepare your home for sale. For
example, if your goal is for a quick sale, this would deter-mine one
approach. If you want to maximize your profit, the sales process
might take longer thus determining a different approach.
2. Prep your home – de-clutter so
people can see its good points
An appealing exterior will lure potential buyers inside, where you
have to live up to their expectations. Fortunately, there are plenty
of easy improvements you can make to your home's interior without
spending a lot of money. Cleaning is No. 1. Your windows, floors and
bathroom tiles should sparkle. Make sure you have clean heating and
air conditioning filters. Shampoo dirty carpets, clean tubs and
showers, repair dripping faucets and oil squeaky doors. Keep your
home neat, clean and picked-up at all times. It may not seem fair,
but a peek in the oven may be the hallmark by which a buyer judges
how well you have kept up your home.
Remove unnecessary clutter from the garage, loft,
wardrobes and straighten stored items. Also remove any items that
might make a statement that would be offensive to others who may not
share your same views, beliefs or sense of humour. If your home is
crowded with too much furniture, consider putting some things into
storage. If a room needs a fresh coat of paint, use a neutral
off-white. Think, too, about how your home smells. You may be used
to the smell of a pet or cigarettes, but such odours can be a strong
turn-off to others. Be certain to remove valuables such as jewellery
and other items from view. It might be wise to put these items in a
safe place before showing your home.
Finally, set a mood for the buyer. Make your
house homely with live flowers and fresh guest towels in the
bathroom. Place scented potpourri around the house or, on the day
you're expecting a potential buyer, pop a batch of frozen bread
rolls into the oven for a welcoming aroma.
Remember, cosmetic changes do not have to be
expensive. In fact, costly home improvements do not necessarily
offer a good return on your investment when you sell. Its attention
to the basics-anything that says "this home has been carefully
maintained"-that will help you get the price you want.
3. Setting the price right will sell your home
fast.
By far, the most important determinant of price is what buyers
are paying right now for similar homes in your neighbourhood.
What is the single biggest reason homes fail to
sell? Setting a price far above what similar homes are selling for
in the same neighbourhood. Compare to recently sold homes in the
neighbourhood, this will give you a good idea of how much your home
will fetch. The value of your 4 bedroom house is tied to the selling
price of other 4 bedroom homes in your neighbourhood. This is true
no matter how much you invested in your garden or in kitchen
cabinets.
The trick is to balance the cash you want with
the actual value of the property.
A good source to find recent neighbourhood prices
on the Internet is
http://www.landreg.gov.uk/.
Also, you can ask local estate agents about properties similar to
your own that they have sold in the past few months. Anything older
than 6 months won’t give you an accurate gage of what your home will
sell for. You need recent figures of the actual sale prise (not the
asking price!).
4. ADVERTISING WILL SELL your home!
If no one knows your home is for sale home, how can they buy it?!
You need to create awareness so everyone knows your house is on for
sale.
The Internet
New low cost web sites will put multiple pictures of your house on
the Internet. Use Internet ads in combination with local newspapers
and neighbourhood flyers. Newspaper ads and Internet ads both
require headlines that grab attention, a few lines to describe key
features of the home, and closing lines that gets buyers to call. A
good ad grabs the reader's attention with a catchy headline.
Remember what motivated you to buy your home and put it in a
headline:
Highlight the best features of the property.
Consider your probable buyers. Will they have school-age children?
If so, include proximity to school. Describe features of the house
which appeal to your probable buyers rather than the entire public.
Close with a phrase that entices potential buyers
to call:
Location. Always give the location of the home. Property buyers are
interested in specific areas, and will pass over your listing if the
location is omitted.
Price. A missing price suggests the home is too expensive. Always
include the price in adverts.
End by giving the reader a reason to call and
then ask them to do it:
* Don't let this one get away!
* Nothing like it at this price!
5. Do Some "Home Shopping" Yourself
The best way to learn about your competition and discover what turns
buyers off is to check out other open houses. Note floor plans,
condition, appearance, size of surrounding land, location and other
features. Particularly note, not only the asking prices but what
they are actually selling for. Remember, if you're serious about
getting your home sold fast, don't price it higher than your
neighbour's.
Ken Ajoku is an entrepreneur and the Senior
Partner of
swift-property-sale, an Internet
company offering
services to home owners including a free special report on "How
To Sell Your Home For Cash in 10 Days At No Cost To You" .
As well as writing a number of books and articles, Ken also conducts
Business Seminars for numerous individuals
and companies throughout the year.
Visit
http://www.swift-property-sale.co.uk/
to get your complimentary special report on
"How To Sell Your Home For Cash in 10 Days At No Cost To You"
|
Sell
Your Home Yourself: 5 Powerful Tips For A Fast And Easy Home Sale