For Sale By Owner Tip - When Your House Is Not Selling

When the House Is Not Selling

Remember . . . "Presentation is Everything!"

As a private seller, you have to make sure that your home is presentable to a potential buyer, and keep in mind that, in a competitive market with more inventory than we've seen in some time, Presentation is Everything!

By eliminating points the potential buyer may find fault with and by bringing out the positive amenities, you are more likely to sell your home and get the price you are asking for. Here are just a few tip to help support your efforts.

1. Let There Be Light. Buy some 100­watt bulbs to brighten the rooms, and open curtains or blinds to let light in. Unless a window faces a brick wall or some type of eyesore, open the drapes!

2. Garage, Not Garbage. Have a garage sale to clean out the clutter and make the garage more spacious. You will be moving and will need to start organizing anyway! So why wait until the last miinute? Clean up oil spots in the garage or carport with a good cleanser to remove that lived-in appearance. The home may not be brand new, but it is new to the potential buyer.

3.Make Scents. Get a nice potpourri air freshener, or keep some refrigerated cookie dough on hand to throw in the oven when a prospect is coming over. Make the house smell like a home.

4.Paint­relief. Consider re­painting any areas that need to be touched up, especially the front door and entryway, and any appliances that are showing their age.
5.Power Plants. Trim down any jungles outside, especially if they cover the house. Get rid of any half­dead houseplants. Water the lawns briefly before any visit, and keep lawns mowed and edged. We are getting into winter here in Wisconsin, so be sure to deadhead plants and prepare a nice winter scape in the yard. Also, bird feeders stratigically place in yard bring a warm welcome to visitors.

6.The Price is Right. Price may be a sensitive issue, but with increased inventories and declining home values in many neighborhoods, keep in mind that every shopper in a buyers market is determoned to get the best deal possible. This is a great time to compare your house with others on the market in the same area. The price is and presentation of your home are the two things that will sell your home faster than anything else.

7.The World is Your Stage. Professional staging can help to showcase the best side of a home, create more interest, and get you top dollar. With increased inventories, staging could provide the competitive edge you need. If you interested in a free local "Home Staging" workshop, please shoot us an email. We are in the process of setting several dates. email: gwennt@century.net and we will put you on our notification list for upcoming workshops.

These tips were taken from our Consumer Guide entitled: 33 Ways to Sell Your Home Fast!, a special guide we have available for FREE on our website - To obtain a copy of this Guide, please follow this link and request a copy today! Give Me The Free Guide