| Today's home seller needs an edge to make their | | | | Curb AppealWhen shoppers pull up in front of your |
| homes stand out in a buyer's market. Besides making | | | | house, the first glimpse must impress them enough to |
| their home most desirable, sellers need to monitor all | | | | get out of their vehicle to see what's inside. For condo |
| aspects of their sale.Selling a house is like a | | | | sellers, the development has to pass approval and |
| steeplechase race horse jumping over hurdles. Some | | | | your unit should stand out with added appeal like large |
| race horses make the jumps look so easy; they run | | | | potted plants near the door in colorful containers. The |
| and jump in rhythm under the jockey's guidance. The | | | | typical house needs pizzazz near the front door to |
| home seller's job is to make home buyer's hurdles | | | | draw the eye into the house. You must entice the |
| easy to jump. Home buyers make up their minds | | | | buyer to cross the threshold to see what's |
| about a house on each step they take or every | | | | inside.Hurdle #5 First ImpressionInside, the typical house |
| barrier they cross. As a home seller, you need to | | | | shopper makes up their mind within 15 seconds |
| make sure your buyer crosses each barrier. Here are | | | | whether or not they're interested in your house. This is |
| eight hurdles for you to win the house race. | | | | why the first sighting inside must pass inspection and |
| Hurdle #1 Listings and Ads Buyers make up their mind | | | | peak interest.Hurdle #6 Lasting ImpressionsTo |
| about the advertisement or listing whether or not to | | | | encourage shoppers to spend more than the usual |
| continue reading. That means they approve of the | | | | four minutes previewing a house, use home staging |
| basic features and price.They must see something in | | | | strategies. Buyers select a home based on their |
| the advertisement or listing that makes your house | | | | emotions. They choose the home they connect with |
| stand out in a crowded market. To entice a buyer to | | | | and one they think "feels like home." This just doesn't |
| pick up the phone and call about your house, the buyer | | | | happen in four minutes.Houses that spark fantasy |
| must read some benefit that they want. This should be | | | | about living in the home, enjoying a better lifestyle, and |
| your property's best benefit to the buyer, such as "Live | | | | entertaining friends help buyers make up their |
| across from Eagle Point Park; enjoy the views and | | | | minds.Hurdle #7 Easy PurchaseBuyers make offers |
| playgrounds" or "Move right in without fixing or painting | | | | on houses when they feel comfortable with the |
| a thing. Owners will even help with your costs."Hurdle | | | | paperwork. If you're selling by owner, have a basic |
| #2 Yard Signs that Attract Attention The yard sign | | | | contract on hand that doesn't confuse buyers and |
| should look professional and not take away from the | | | | have a closing agent or escrow officer draw up the |
| appeal. Many over-sized yard signs clutter the | | | | formal documents later. If you're selling by agent, your |
| landscape. Put the sign to the side a bit and consider a | | | | agent must be trained on how to handle negotiations |
| shorter sign for smaller houses.Instead of wasting | | | | beyond just filling out forms.Hurdle #8 Keep Sale on |
| words with the all the amenities, make the phone | | | | TrackDuring the sale process, monitor all the closing |
| number legible from the street and list the best feature | | | | details. Keep your home staged for the most important |
| not obvious from the curb.Hurdle #3 Non-Generic | | | | date: appraisal day. Invite you buyers to return early in |
| Sales FlyerPerhaps a house shopper will be interested | | | | the sale for their walk through so they stay "in love" |
| enough to get out of their vehicle and pick up a sales | | | | with your home. Make sure all the appointments are |
| flyer. This means that the flyer needs to be written | | | | made and kept, such as inspections, and contracts |
| with sales copy that gives motivation to see the | | | | signed on time.Turn house shoppers into motivated |
| property. A "ho-hum" generic flyer with a long list of | | | | buyers, help your buyers jump the hurdles, and you'll |
| features should be rewritten using Marketing | | | | win the house race. |
| Psychology with strong benefits to the buyer.Hurdle #4 | | | | |