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HomeNot selling and wondering why?

Not selling and wondering why?

Sellers can help themselves make the sale!

I was a seller myself recently. The market isn't going to change soon. The other very dependable piece of information is....you are going to have other homes competing for the same buyer as you and your home.

So what can a seller do?

  1. Make sure your home is ready to show on a moments notice! I know that means changing your lifestyle but at the same time....if you miss a showing it could have been the buyer that would have bought your home. How many buyers are fighting over your property now?flowers
  2. Agents can advertise, display your home on the Internet, MLS and magazines but is the information accurate? What I mean is agents can only go by what you tell them. Sometimes what is heard and written are two different things. So review your information for accuracy...agents don't mind and it could mean the difference in finding a buyer and buyers passing your home by.
  3. Make sure you curb appeal is eye popping...plant flowers...get hanging baskets if need be...but make sure they are not by the entry door. Some people are allergic to bees and this creates fear.
  4. Make sure the yard and sidewalks are edged and look great, along with the lawn mowed.
  5. Touch-up any paint that is pealing or faded. Making the outside look crisp will bring buyers to the inside.
  6. Wash windows, this is one of the best ways for a home to show it's stuff! Clean windows make people feel like a clean car...it just feels good!
  7. Clean carpets if they need it or at minimum look at spots and use spot remover to make them look fresh.
  8. Make sure the counters are free of excess appliances and nick-knacks.
  9. The bathrooms should shine and the tubs should gleam.
  10. Closets should be open and cleaned...they do not want to appear full or have things falling when the door is opened. A short term lease on a storage unit...may make the difference between selling and staying.

This is only a few of the things a seller can do to help agents sell.logo

Thinking of selling or your listing just expire? Michigan Residents...Call Gary White for a free evaluation on how to sell your home faster and for more money!

Call Toll Free: 877-667-4699 Email: GaryWhite@GRAR.com Visit My Website to www.FlexItRealty.com download over "30 Free Reports" that Could Save You Thousands on your next Real Estate Transaction!

Posted Sunday Apr 20
(04/20/08 10:48AM) — Brad Taylor, REALTOR® for Toledo, Ohio

Good list, I like handing lists out to sellers. 

(04/20/08 10:53AM) — Maple Valley WA Broker/Owner Colleen Fischesser 425-432-5400

Showing on a moment's notice seems to be really hard for people right now when showings are fewer and farther between. But it's very critical to get those buyers through the door

(04/20/08 11:01AM) — Joe Virnig, "No Ordinary Joe"

Good marketing piece.  Especially for expired listings who may be ready to rething their strategy.

(04/20/08 11:01AM) — Tony Fantis, Realtor , ABR, Associate Broker - Salt Lake City

Great tips!  I especially agree with your windows comment.  All too often, people forget about them and the house just feels dirty and dark.  Windows should sparkle!

(04/20/08 11:04AM) — * Rate A Home

Gary, great list, selling really needs a team approach.

(04/20/08 11:26AM) — Vickie Nagy, Realtor, Specializing in San Ramon, Danville & the Tri-Valley!

Great post to add to your profile. It's important that the sellers recognize that you are their partner in this endeavor. You cannot go it alone without their support.

(04/20/08 11:43AM) — Rob Arnold, Florida Realtor / Investor

This is a very good list.  Thanks for sharing it.  The trouble I get with sellers is that they will do stuff like this for the first month or so, but after that it starts getting old.  Trying to keep your house looking in mint condition all the time for months is not easy to do.

(04/20/08 01:47PM) — Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Hi Brad, this is no easy thing for sellers...when the market is slow we have to capture every buy....that may be the only one for the home!  Thanks for the comments Brad.

(04/20/08 01:51PM) — Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Hi Colleen, it is very difficult for buyers to maintain the home in ready to show condition.  I just sold my personal home recently and it was not the lifestyle I wanted but I did what I had to do to make sure the home was ready to show.  Your best offer may be your "ONLY" offer!  So with that in mind I am sympathetic but they want to sell and I want to help them!

(04/20/08 01:53PM) — Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Hi Joe, we have to allow sellers to help us...and expired listings are one of the key market opportunities.  You are right....you are no Ordinary Joe...you noticed what the post was all about.  Thanks for the comments.

(04/20/08 01:56PM) — Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Hi Tony, this is one area that is easy to overlook.  We have winter months that make outside work impossible...speaking of winter did I hear of a winter storm heading your way?  Late spring snows are the worst.  Your in the spring mood and just like that you are thrust back into winter clothes.  Thanks for the comments Tony.

(04/20/08 01:58PM) — Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Hi Duane, it is very difficult to do this without the co-operation of the sellers.  Their involvement is critical to the sale.  Thanks for your comments Duane.

(04/20/08 02:00PM) — Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Hi Vickie, it is almost impossible to sell without a seller willing to help you with key issues.  Thanks for the comments Vickie.

(04/20/08 02:13PM) — Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away!

Hi Rob, it is not easy to keep the sellers heads in the selling process when time passes without an offer or in some cases showings.  I use MLS updates to stimulate the sellers....and if we have no showings we know we are not priced right for the market.  Thanks for the comments Rob.

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