How many people does it take to sell a house?

We've all heard the adage, "It takes a village to raise a child", but do you know how many people it takes to sell a house?

Well, I don't exactly how many people it takes to effectively sell a house, but I do know that it takes more than just a lone Realtor crying in the wilderness! The reality is that Sellers who actively team up with their Realtor will likely experience a speedier and less stressful transaction. Too many times I see sellers who are simply sitting back and totally relying on the Realtor to work magic on a listing that is not ready to compete in the market place and sellers, like it or not, selling your home is a competition!

Sellers: Here are a few tips to help you build a winning team with your realtor.

1. Choose a realtor who is professional, creative, and will work well with your family.

2. Listen to the suggestions your realtor gives you. We are in the market place everyday and we know a) what the current competition is and b) what turns buyers off! We don't just tell you things because we like to hear ourselves talk.

3. Clean your house and keep it that way! A buyer is more likely to look over some out dated decor if the house is clean and well kept. Even a perfectly decorated home with dog hair on the floor, crumbs on the counter, and fingerprints on the walls will turn off a lot of buyers!

4. Sometimes you have to spend money to make money so go ahead, get that wallet out. A few hours and a hundred bucks worth of paint or landscape materials can really give your house an added edge which may help your house sell more quickly and for more money.

5. Be open minded and don't get defensive about feedback. If a realtor suggests a decor change or if a prospective buyer leaves feedback about a perceived negative feature on the house, try to take it in stride. It really isn't personal. Just like an athlete, use the small defeats and constructive criticisms to perfect your listing's showability.

6. Ask the right questions. It is certainly ok to ask the hard questions of your Realtor regarding their performance, but sellers don't forget to include your selves in that assessment. Have you really done everything in your power to enable your house to sell? If the answer is no, then maybe it's time to sit down with your team captain (Realtor) and put together a game plan that allows you to win!

If you are thinking about entering your home into competition, I'd love to help you put together a winning strategy. I promise to do my best to tell you what you "need" to hear and not just what you "want" to hear.

Lisa Gaiche ~ RE/MAX Real Estate Group ~ Olathe, KS ~ 913.486.3764 ~ heartandhomekc@yahoo.com