Selling Your Scottsdale or Phoenix Home is Serious Business
 While buying and moving into a new home tends to represent a fresh start, new opportunities and unrealized possibilities, selling the previous home is often regarded as a necessary evil. It’s the unfortunate hurdle you have to clear in order to reach the ultimate goal of moving into your new home.
However, when tackling the task of selling your home, shifting this negative mindset can lead to a shorter turnaround, a better price and significantly less stress. Instead of adopting the all-too-common “necessary evil” mantra, look at the sale of your home as a business opportunity. Your home is the product. Your competition is the other homes available in your size, area and price range. Your Realtor is the trusted advisor and confidant. You’re the CEO.
Now let’s get down to business.
A key element in making any business a winner is to positively differentiate your product from those of your competitors. In your case, this means making your home stand out from the pack, while, like any good business, being mindful of expenses. It doesn’t have to be a big undertaking. A few simple, inexpensive steps can make your product sell and your profit margin rise.
- Make “wow” part of the first impression. The first time a prospective buyer lays eyes on your home, give him or her a “wow” moment. This can be done with colorful flowers lining the walkway, extra pieces of art moved to the entryway or a stunning painting featured in the foyer. This first impression can set the tone for the rest of the visit. Make sure it’s a great one.
- Clean everything. Picking up, dusting and mopping are kind of “no-brainers” when prepping your home for sale, but don’t stop there. If it’s in, on or outside your home, make sure it shines. This includes the sometimes forgotten areas like the driveway, molding, ceiling fans, grout and the outside of windows. If you don’t have the time or energy, consider spending a few bucks to hire a professional cleaning crew to come in and get things sparkling.
- Eliminate clutter. This is another basic, but a critical one. When listening to the comments of prospective buyers, “open and airy” are good, “cluttered and claustrophobic” are not. Temporarily move unnecessary boxes, appliances and other items to a storage facility or to an understanding friend’s garage. Your home will appear bigger, tidier and more open. Also, don’t overdo it with family photos or too much furniture. The buyer wants to see this as his or her home, not yours.
- Think about the small things. Take some time and tackle the drips, squeaks and rattles that you may have gotten used to, but could turn off a buyer. Tightening screws and faucets, using silicone spray to eliminate door and window creaks, and fixing “dead spots” in your floors will be a few hours well invested.
- Talk to your Realtor. After all, he or she is a vital part of this particular business venture. Pump him or her for pre-sale advice. Ask him or her to do a walk through of your home to see, or smell or hear the things you don’t.
There. It’s taken a little elbow grease, but you’ve got the product, you’ve got expertise and you’ve got the right mindset. Put up the sign and get ready.
You’re open for business.
By Sue Hamlett, Realtor®
Realty Executives
Copyright 2006. All rights reserved. |
