Advice On Selling A
House
Maybe you've gotten a lot of advice on
selling a house. But do you know the biggest mistake
many people make when selling a house? Not understanding
real estate value.
You see, it doesn't matter what you think your home is
worth. It doesn't matter what youdid to make in nicer
for your family. The value of your home is determined by
buyers. What you enjoyed about your house may be
irrelevant when it's time to sell. Think in terms of
what buyers want, and use some of the following advice
on selling a house.
1. Know the market. What other similar houses have sold
for? Have those examples ready to show potential buyers.
2. Decide on a minimum price - the price below which you
just won't move. Don't tell your agent what this minimum
is, but negotiate with any buyers who make an offer near
or above it.
3. Concentrate on the visible things first. A new
mailbox is often a good idea. When buyers fall in love
with the house before they even enter it, they forgive a
lot of problems.
4. Clean the neighborhood. If a neighbor's yard is a
mess, give their kids $10 to pick up the yard. Spend $20
to put flowers in any common-areas, and buyers will have
a better first impression of the neighborhood.
5. If you or your agent aren't getting many calls, try
something new. Is more advertising necessary? Is the
price too high? If price is the problem, drop it fast.
That perfect buyer might pass on by while the the home
is still over-priced.
6. Listen to prospects. They'll be more objective than
you. If you hear several times that the kitchen is dark,
get out the white paint.
7. Find the average sales time for your area. If your
house is taking longer than average to sell, there's a
problem, and usually it's the price.
8. Ask your real estate agent what she plans to do -
before you sign a listing agreement. Write down what she
says, and hold her to her promises.
9. If there are known problems, such as an old roof, get
an estimate for repairs. The sellers may want a $7,000
allowance for a new roof - until you show them your
$4,000 estimate.
10. Do improvements that can realisically get you at
least a two-to-one return on investment. If $300 to seal
the driveway is likely to add $600 to the sales price of
the home, do it. Always consider first those things that
are most visible.
There are dozens of things you can do to sell your house
faster, and get a better price. Start with the ones that
will get the most "bang for your buck." Also read and
USE good advice on selling a house.
About the author:
Steve Gillman has invested in real estate for years. To
see a photo of a beautiful house he and his wife bought
for $17,500, visit:
http://www.HousesUnderFiftyThousand.com
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