Things You'll Need:
- An Open Mind and Enthusiasm
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Step 1
Think like a buyer.
What made you buy or build your house?
Emphasis the positive, eliminate the negative. For every 10 positives you see the buyer sees only one. For every negative you see the buyer will see 10 negatives.
If location was important to you when you purchased tell potential buyers by leaving out information on the area.
If the house has good natural light open up the window treatments.
If you purchased your house because of the price tell buyers what permanent improvements you have made. -
Step 2
Think curb appeal.
Stand across the street and look at your house.
Do the trees need to be trimmed?
Is there pealing paint?
Are the window screens in good repair?
Is the welcome mat welcoming?
Is your house the nicest on the block? -
Step 3
Think about your buyers senses
Does your house look good? Smell good? Sound good? Feel good?
Set out some finger foods and make a pot of coffee, let buyers feel like guests in your house. Keep the music at a low level. A guest in your house should feel welcome and comfortable, make them feel like they don’t want to ever leave. If you have to pretend a cranky relative is coming and you want to keep the whining and complaints to a minimum. -
Step 4
Hire a home inspector
Most buyers should and most likely will hire an inspector themselves. Even if your house is perfect, as the seller you are more in control if you solve any problem issues prior to getting an offer. Get issues resolved on your time and your budget. This will save you from being under a dead line and possibly paying more for home repairs. Leave the inspection report and any repair receipts out, let the buyers see these. Keep everything above board and honest. This should make the selling process easier. If the inspector “certified” the house make sure the buyers see the certification. -
Step 5
Answer question before they come up
Make up a book that includes utility bills, let the buyers know what to expect in utility cost. This will save them the trouble of calling themselves.
Leave out pictures of the yard. If buyers are looking in winter they should know how nice everything is when plants and trees are in bloom and leafing out.
Keep all warranties together for appliances that are being sold with the house.
If you are part of a Home Owners Association or a Common Interest Community leave copies of the bylaws and contact phone numbers.
Make up a list of local vendors such as restaurants, veterinarians, repair contractors, delivery services, TV services or anything else that the buyers might need when they first move in. -
Step 6
Offer and pay for a home warranty.
A home warranty isn’t usually expensive, can be paid for at closing and gives the buyers a warm fuzzy feeling about their new home.
Comments
mpodlesny said
on 12/30/2008 cleanliness when selling the house...I can't stress that enough.