Many home buyers approach house hunting from the same angle as an employer searching for the ideal job candidate. It's almost like they have a split personality. On one hand, they're hoping that each prospect will be the one they ultimately choose. On the other hand, they're also looking for flaws and weaknesses -- reasons not to choose the house (or the job candidate) they're considering.
The solution to that dilemma for home sellers is simple... but not necessarily easy! Follow the advice of songwriter Johnny Mercer, who penned the lyrics to the 1944 hit song "Accentuate the Positive" (eliminate the negative)! Presenting your home in its best light to potential buyers not only helps attract more offers, but it also increases your chances of receiving your asking price -- assuming it's based on hard facts, such as recent sales data of other comparable homes in the neighborhood.
Getting It Right The First Time
An experienced real estate agent can be immensely helpful in determining a realistic listing price that will reflect your home's fair market value without being too high. (The last thing you want is for the price to scare away qualified prospects!) Although it's not an exact science, there is a methodology that helps make sure the listing price is reasonable and in the right ball park.
There are several challenges that homeowners face in staging their home for quick sale and determining the best price for all parties involved. In addition to the potential pitfall of allowing one's emotions to inflate a home's asking price, it's also difficult for the owner to view their home through the eyes of potential buyers. That's why professional advice can often make the difference between success and failure in real estate sales.
Being able to identify cost-effective ways to enhance the curb appeal and overall marketability of a house for sale can be difficult for someone who doesn't do it on a daily basis. A real estate professional with a trained eye can zero in on necessary changes, repairs, and cosmetic improvements that can accentuate the positive and eliminate -- or at least, downplay -- the negative!
If it's been a few years since your house or rooms have received a fresh coat of paint, then that might be one of the first improvements a real estate agent or home staging consultant recommends. To "cast as wide of a net" as possible, neutral paint colors typically have the broadest appeal to prospective home buyers. Fresh flowers -- both in hanging baskets and vases -- are an inexpensive way to add some color and appealing touches to the look and feel of your home. Doing your best to get rid of clutter, weeds, and objectionable odors in and around your home are other basic steps you can take to make a positive impression on potential buyers.
