Diablo Gazette May 2021
Five Things that Make A Difference When Selling
I cannot stop.
Because it matters, because it sells, because you’ll earn more dollars, I can’t stop sharing the things that make a difference when you are selling a home. Here are five more things that make a difference.
1 Curb Appeal Matters. Trimming trees, planting bushes and flowers, fertilizing and mowing the lawn, painting the front door, did I say painting the front door, and make sure the door opens and closes easily and is easy to unlock and lock, and any other exterior projects you can think of to gain more attention from buyers, will add value to your home. (According to a study by Michigan State University, a home with appropriate landscaping and effort into curb appeal can increase perceived home value by 5 % – 11%).
2 Use Professional photography. Trust me, even though your phone cameras are amazing these days, few of us know the nuances to great photos, twilight shots, drones, and floor plans that professional photographer’s perfect day after day. Your biggest investment deserves to be shown in its best light, and a professional knows how to highlight your home’s best features. (According to Ris Media, homes with high quality photos sell 32% faster and sell for $3,000- $11,000 more.)
3 Make any repairs before going to market. Fix any glaring issues before you hit the MLS, and ahead of the home inspection too. This prevents putting off a good buyer who is worried about the integrity of the home. Repairs done early do not become renegotiations later.
4 Have a pricing strategy. It is critical to have a pricing strategy. What happened to the neighbor may not compare to your home and without a strategy you are just guessing. With your Realtor, you will create a plan, based on facts, size, condition, comparable sales and then you let the market set the final price. Market value is defined as what a buyer is willing to pay. Tempt them.
5 Clean it up. Before showings declutter, clean, remove personal photos, mementos, collections and trophies, toys, pet beds and pet dishes. Note, buyers peek in closets and cabinets. Allow professional staging and photography and then view your photos before any showing and for the appraisal, or a walk through and make it look just like the photos, every time. You never know if the first or 30th buyer is THE buyer. And just as important, the appraiser’s opinion can validate that buyer’s decision and help you close the deal.
