| The longer a piece of property stalls, | | | | map out their selling plan. What is a |
| the greater threat it poses to your | | | | reasonable price for that market and how |
| marketability and profit. There are 7 | | | | far would you be willing to come down |
| simple things you can do to enhance your | | | | off that price? Set a date on which you |
| home's appeal, get warm bodies through | | | | will reduce the cost if the home has not |
| the door and close the deal sooner | | | | yet sold, as flexibility is key. A good |
| rather than later. | | | | agent should have the know-how to help |
| 1) Open houses | | | | you with mapping out your strategy. |
| This is one of the most popular weekend | | | | 5) Get organized |
| activities. Letting people walk through | | | | Cleaning out all your personal stuff can |
| your home - touching it, feeling it, | | | | make a prospective buyer start viewing |
| picturing their children playing in your | | | | the home as their own. A clean, open, |
| backyard - is a highly effective way to | | | | clutter-free space leaves room for |
| generate interest. However, an open | | | | imagination and creativity. Does your |
| house is only as effective as the | | | | home have a wealth of storage space? |
| traffic it generates. Without some other | | | | Show it off by cleaning and organizing |
| key home-selling strategies, you may | | | | your closets and cabinets. Above all, |
| find your open house events sorely | | | | make sure the home stays clean. Nothing |
| disappointing. | | | | kills a deal faster than seeing |
| 2) Perks | | | | hairbrushes and dirty dishes lying |
| Creativity is key in some areas where | | | | around. |
| the housing market has peaked, leaving | | | | 6) Get chic |
| sellers at their wit's end. Throwing in | | | | An interior decorator with an eye for |
| perks like a cash rebate disguised as a | | | | design can be your best friend. Their |
| "decorator's allowance" or homeowner's | | | | skills can entice buyers and help |
| association fees for a year can be very | | | | transition the house from "your home" to |
| enticing. It can also be considerably | | | | a "show home." Spring for new end |
| cheaper than letting your property | | | | tables, pillows, decorating accessories, |
| languish on the market, forcing you to | | | | fresh paint on the walls and ceilings. |
| slash the price. One of the standard | | | | You may even want to remove your old |
| incentives is to cover closing costs for | | | | personal effects, such as family |
| the seller. When including perks, be | | | | pictures. Small details like setting the |
| mindful of the buyer's perception. You | | | | dining room table as if you were about |
| don't want to seem over-eager, because | | | | to host a dinner party can also help |
| they will then question your motives and | | | | prospective buyers picture themselves in |
| probably use that against you in price | | | | your home. |
| negotiations. | | | | 7) Professional photography |
| 3) Hire the best | | | | Just as professional models attract jobs |
| Hiring a good agent with years of | | | | by using professional photographers for |
| experience and knowledge of the market | | | | their head shots, so should you give |
| and its current trends is crucial. For | | | | your home top-notch treatment. Quality |
| Sale By Owner properties are generally | | | | photos of not just the exterior, but |
| preyed upon by opportunistic investors | | | | several different rooms on the interior, |
| who plan to flip the property and see | | | | can enable prospective buyers to take a |
| this as a way to take advantage. If you | | | | "virtual tour" of your home. |
| don't have the knowledge and the real | | | | In this day and age, Internet shopping |
| estate savvy, get somebody on your side | | | | is becoming increasingly popular as an |
| who does. Hiring a good agent will | | | | essential step that precedes an actual |
| generally bring you a higher sale price, | | | | home tour. It is important to gain |
| and is worth any commission you may have | | | | interest up front with these photos, and |
| to pay out in the end. | | | | a professional can help capture the true |
| 4) Make a map | | | | essence of your home. It is a worthwhile |
| Just as real estate investors create a | | | | investment to drive up interest and foot |
| plan for their investments, sellers must | | | | traffic. |