Question: Emily, I'm considering putting my home on the market but am concerned it won't sell. What should I do?

 

Answer: Thanks for this question. It is a common concern, especially in today's market. There are several steps a home owner can take to make their home more appealing to buyers, thus increasing the likelihood for a quick sale at a fair price. Plain and simple, you want to be better than your competition! Specifically:

 

1. PRICE IT RIGHT!!!  I cannot over-emphasize this. Buyers KNOW the market! The market is tough - there is a lot of competition! When homes are priced right, they sell quickly and for more money. This is the number one most important tool to utilize well.

 

2. STAGE IT! Make the home look GREAT! Remember, less is more and don't be afraid of color (tasteful color, that is:)). I tell my sellers "Pottery Barn It" - you know what I mean - declutter, warm it up, modernize it, make it look comfortable...Staging does not need to be expensive at all! Usually, just removing stuff and taking down photos works wonders. Paint is your best friend - nothing like a nice warm, natural color to give a face lift to your home. Each space needs to be used with it's intended purpose (in other words, bedrooms should have beds and dining rooms should have tables...). A well merchandized house not only shows well, but presents much better on-line because the photographs draw buyers in...and that takes me to point number three.

 

3. PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER!!! The numbers vary but around 90% of home buyers are on line looking for homes - IF YOUR HOME DOESN'T LOOK INTERESTING ON LINE, THEY WON'T COME SEE IT IN PERSON...IF THEY DON'T COME SEE IT IN PERSON, THEY WON'T BUY IT!!!! And not just the nice 15 photos on line but why not a 50-photo slide show?! Let buyers see how awesome your home is! You see, it all fits together - price, presentation/merchandizing/staging, and photography...But that doesn't do you any good unless people can find the home! So, that's #4...

 

4. MARKET, MARKET, MARKET, MARKET ON THE WEB, WEB, WEB, WEB! I'll say it again - around 90% of home buyers are on line looking for homes. They have to be able to FIND IT! Make sure your home is in the MLS (of course) but also syndicated all around the internet - Trulia, Craigslist, Housepad etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. The next most effective marketing tool is THE SIGN! Yes, we do still sell homes when someone is walking by, they grab a NICE flyer (with COLOR photographs) and like what they see. The sign and flyer are important. Your home needs exposure to the audience most interested likely to buy it!

 

Utilizing these strategies as part of an entire marketing plan specific to your home will give you all of the tools necessary to sell your house now and for the most money the market will bare. Hope that helps!

 

Til Next Time,

Emily