Sell My House!

The Top Ten Things You Need To Know To Sell Your House

1. First impressions are everything! Cut the grass, rake the leaves, pull the weeds, trim the bushes, and put fresh pine bark around the bushes.

2. A dirty house will turn buyers off! Clean your house, especially the kitchen and bathrooms. Make sure the tile and grout are spotless and make the appliances look new.

3. Dirty or damaged carpet is a selling hazard! Spend the money and clean the carpet. If there are wrinkles in the carpet, have it stretched. If the carpet is in really bad condition, have it replaced. You don't want your house to sit on the market while buyers choose houses that have new carpet.

4. Make sure your house smells fresh and clean. Use wall plug-ins or spray air freshener before your house is shown. Bad pet smells make houses not sell!

5. Make all necessary repairs. I did not say to remodel you house, but fix anything in need of repair. When a buyer sees something he will have to spend money on, he immediately begins to think of how much less he will offer for your house.

6. A fresh coat of paint works wonders. You need to paint with warm neutral colors. Bright colors and outdated wall paper will scare buyers off!

7. Always say yes when an agent wants to show your house. Don't ever turn someone away or tell them to wait until tomorrow. When a buyer is ready to buy, he will move on to the next house if you turn him away. We live in a society that says, "I want to see it now."

8. When a potential buyer is coming to view your house, it is best for you to leave and take your pets with you. Buyers will be uncomfortable asking questions in front of you. Pets can be a distraction and sometimes buyers are afraid of animals. I have seen a buyer walk away and not look at a house because she was afraid of the family dog.

9. Price your house to sell! A house that is overpriced will not sell quickly and when it sits on the market too long the excitement wears off. People will call to inquire and then forget about your house if the price is too high.

10. Staging your house to sell is one of the most important things you can do. Put away the clutter and anything that makes your room look smaller. Rearrange the furniture to make the rooms look bigger. If you don't have an eye for decorating get help. Buyers must walk in and say, "Now I could live here!"