Andrea Palmer Phone 239-333-5556

REPOSITION YOUR LISTINGS

Most home sellers find that they cannot sell their properties for as much as they want, and we increasingly reposition the listings. When a seller puts their home on the market on day one, they very well could be the best priced home in the best condition. But if over the next 30 days,10 more competitively priced homes come on the market, then the seller's home may no longer be in a position to sell. Depending on the owner's motivation and price movement in their market, we might discuss the latest market data with sellers every couple of weeks, or every 60 to 90 days. Once the most up-to-date data is in hand, sellers and agents can decide whether to lower the asking price, provide incentives, undertake home upgrades, or hold off selling until the market improves. Agents often lower the price slowly over time so that the property shows up on hot sheets; and they might want to consider updating marketing materials with more information or better photos.

ONLINE SHOPPERS NEED YOU

Home shopping alone - without the help of a professional even when online - can become a huge handicap for home buyers. Here are four reasons:

• Late information. Shoppers who limit themselves to only looking at real estate Web sites will overlook some very good properties, possibly one that is perfect for them, and they won't get up-to-the minute information.

• Fake listings. Web operators sometimes try to collect page views with fake listings to pump up their advertising returns, and that wastes the time of real home shoppers. It's also frustrating for shoppers to find an interesting home that's not available.

• Questionable information. Home value Web sites only go so far. Sites like Zillow.com and Cyberhomes.com put prices out there that may or may not be an accurate reflection of neighborhood or housing value. Working with a professional means the buyer gets the benefit of a broader range of knowledgeable resources.

• Process help. Once a home shopper has found a property, working with a pro means they'll follow the right path to close the deal. For anyone except experienced investors, going it totally alone can be risky.

ALL A-TWITTER

Given the overlap between business and personal relationships, we should take advantage of Twitter and Facebook to market ourselves in subtle ways. For example, we could remind family and friends of what we do for a living via status updates. We could indicate that we are on their way to an open house and leave the address, or talk about a home we just listed and mention the address. Through these subtle messages, we can make sure family and friends remember us when they need to buy or sell a home in the future.

SET THE STAGE FOR A SALE

Simple fixes and staging practices can focus buyers' attention in the right places and keep them from getting sidetracked by personal items in the home. Here are some staging suggestions.

· Eliminate countertop clutter. A countertop covered with small appliances and utensils looks crowded, not spacious.

· Pack up the too-personal. Don't leave toiletries on the counter. Stash family photos.

· Be prepared for snoops. Prospective buyers pull open drawers, look in closets and peek behind the shower curtain.

· Make sure things work. Dripping faucets, burned-out light bulbs and squeaking hinges detract from the home's appeal.

· Think "white-glove clean." Mop, dust, vacuum, clean baseboards and wash windows. Make sure the house looks fresh and smells neutral.

· Make sure the front door is clean and the hardware polished. Power-wash walkways.

· Store furniture that makes rooms feel crowded.

• Show every room for the kind of room it is. Maybe you've turned your formal dining room into a home office. Get rid of the desk and computer, and bring back the dining table and chairs.

HOME STAGING

More Realtors are suggesting to their home sellers that they consider home staging - a process where a house for sale is de-cluttered, de-personalized and redecorated so it appeals to a wide variety of potential buyers. Staging a home so the house, not the seller's life and tastes, is on display can offen make a difference in selling the home more quickly, the experts say.