3 of the Most Important Tips:
Price, Condition and Competition

Price:
Any property will sell overnight with the right price.

1. Price Your Property at Market Price: Market price is just that –what the market is willing to pay based on what HAS been paid. Too many sellers price their property based on what other properties are "listed" for and they "think" their property should sell for more because their own property is "better." Remember, buyers are smart. Just like you or I, we would not overpay for anything, including real estate. We've all heard that "dot.com millionaires are buying up everything," this quote has very little to do with most property, typically it is beach and oceanfront property being bought up (and that was in '98~'99). Remember they are not dot.com stupid. Also, the days of the Japanese paying any price that is asked are over, likewise are the days of anyone overpaying for you property. Sadly, 75% of sellers will overprice their properties when first starting out. It sounds like this "well, we're not in a hurry to sell, we don't need the money, we're just going to try it at this price and wait and see what happens." Sound familiar? It takes about 4 months for reality to set in before an over-priced property is re-priced at market levels.

2. Invest In a Certified Appraisal: Pay for a professional certified appraisal of your property to help you determine the market value of your property. Do not rely on "free market analysis" given out by "listing agents," or what your sister's friend's brother's uncle's cousin's, whom was an agent 5 years ago, said over the phone last year what your property might be worth. And do not rely on and wait for a buyers "loan" appraisal. When marketing your property, you want to be proactive, this includes paying for an appraisal. This will help you to price your property in the market, not out of the market. Most important, an appraisal will instantly bring a "low ball" offer up to your asking price.

Condition:
You will be selling, you will be moving.
Do everything on this list –Sooner rather than Later!

Competition:
This may be the only property you're selling,
it's NOT the only property your buyer is looking at.
Do everything on this list –other sellers may already have!

1. Make the Most of that First Impression: A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter free porch welcome prospects. A freshly painted front door will help make that good first impression, consider painting the entire house or just the front and any stairs, lanai's or porches . Of course, no clutter in the yard or around the front of the house. Trim all foliage and rake up all debris. From now on water all plants, lawn and everything else on a twice-a-day schedule, the few dollars extra will give the new owner a great first impression.

2. Invest a Few Hours, days (or weeks) in Clean Up, It Will Pay Big Dividends: Clean up in the living room, the bathroom and the kitchen. If your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, do a little touch-up. Your prospects want to see how great your house looks, not imagine what it could look like.

3. Check All Faucets & Bulbs: Fix any dripping faucets and replace any burned out bulbs. You don't want your prospect looking at rooms in the dark.

4. Safety First: Pick up and Clean up any clutter on the stairs. Also, make sure any throw rugs are secure on the floor and won't slip or slide under foot. Raise low hanging lights and make your home free of potential hazards.

5. Make Room for More Space: Clean out any excess materials stored in closets and rooms. Empty space is better than full. Your prospect wants more space. They are also looking for storage space, so clean out the attic and basement so they can see the space. What to do with all of the stuff you’ve cleaned out? Have a yard sale, donate it, and/or store it offsite.

6. Organize Closets: The more organized and clutter free your closet is, the bigger it looks.

7. Bathrooms need to Sparkle: Your bathroom is one of the most important selling points in your home. Make it sparkle. Put out your best towels and make sure the tub has fresh caulking.

8. Let the Light In, Let the sun in! Open the drapes and blinds to create a bright and cheerful atmosphere.

9. Turn on the Lights: Whether it's day or night when your prospects come, turn on all the lights, both inside and out. Lights add warmth and color and make prospects feel welcome.

10. Pets: It is best to keep your pets temporarily offsite!

11. Avoid Crowds: Never have more than a few prospects viewing your home at a time. The exception to this rule is if you have more than yourself to tour the prospects, i.e. 1 of you for each prospect/couple.

12. Avoid Apologies: Never apologize for your home's shortcomings. If your prospect brings up something derogatory, and you don't feel qualified to deal with it, volunteer to get an expert opinion.

13. Avoid Distracting Buyers: When prospects are viewing your home, don't try to sell all your furniture too. You may lose the biggest sale, your home! Don't distract them with needless background noise such as loud stereos and TV's. Soft, low volume music like Kenny G is OK. Be friendly with little conversation. Prospective buyers want to view your home with minimal distraction.

14. Avoid Sticky Situations: When cabinet or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a potential buyer's mind. Save the explaining and repair them before selling.

15. Create Dream Bedrooms: Show your prospects a spacious look by getting rid of excess furniture. Clean and colorful bedspreads and curtains are a must.

16. The Lazy Seller: Does this sound familiar? "Well if the buyer doesn't want the yellow shag carpet, I'll allow a $2,000 credit," or "if the buyer wants the outside of the house painted, I'll allow for a $3,000 paint credit," or "I'm not cleaning anything up inside or outside unless a buyer first agrees to pay my asking price." If you were the buyer, would you buy from this kind of seller? Probably not. Here is the most important tip on your property condition: You will be selling, you will be moving. Even though this may be the only property you are selling, it is NOT the only property your buyer is looking at. Your property is competing with at least a dozen other like properties. If you've done all the things listed here, you will have no competition. Your buyer is buying based on price, condition and competition. Remove as many negatives so that only the positive aspects of your property sticks in the mind of your buyer while they are deciding on their purchase.

17. Do You Have Way Too Much Stuff?: Do yourself and your buyer a favor, rent a storage unit and get rid of the clutter, collections, old files, old clothes etc. This is of course after you have a yard sale and sell off a bunch of your stuff that you don't want in your new place.

Want 155 more sellers tips? Purchase this excellent FSBO book for $17.95

The book is also included with our FSBO Program

Call our marketing department at: Maui 877-NOT6 (877-6686), Oahu 678-0303, Big Isle 329-6606,
Kauai 245-9449 or email and start your photo marketing package today! Don't wait, start today!