Welcome! Over the course of this year, I am going to touch on many topics relevant to home selling, home buying and staging. That is just for starters! There is mortgage, foreclosures and special features that will be coming your way! One of the biggest questions I am asked daily is how to get a home sold quickly, while achieving the best price obtainable, all in the shortest period of time. Of course, who doesn’t want to achieve that? Last week, I listed a beautiful home here in Lexington in the Kennawood neighborhood. Two days later, my sellers were thrilled to have a contract - signed, sealed and delivered to me, their agent. As I went over to meet with the appraiser yesterday, he asked….what made this home sell so quickly? He wondered if the seller’s just bottomed out to an unheard of low asking price. As I unlocked the door to let him in, I didn’t have to say a word! He saw what I did and what the new buyers did! It was a home, well prepared by its owners and eagerly awaiting a “Sold by Kim” sign in the front yard. So how did they sell their home in just Two days? Bottom line: their home appealed to a buyer’s Four senses. I am going to touch on those Four important senses. Follow my guide and start packing because you are moving!
1. Light /Sight: It is a proven fact that buyers react more positively to a property shown under bright lights than darkness. Strive to maximize light in every room!
*Replace the light bulbs
*Use table lamps in combination with overhead lighting
*Open drapes and blinds
*Use light paint colors
*Make sure your windows are clean
*Mirrors are great to magnify the space and the feeling of light
*Try to turn on the lights before the buyer/agent arrive
2. Color: Don’t use every color in the box of Crayola!
*Neutral is your best bet! Stick with buyer friendly colors such as a beige, white or gray on the outside
*The safest color choice for the interior is white, off-white, a light beige or very soft pastels (and so soft they *still appear nearly white*).
*Try to avoid wallpaper at all costs. I recommend eliminating any and all wallpaper from homes, especially in kitchen and bathrooms.
*Keep walls very neutral but spruce up a room with bright colored rugs, towels and shower curtains.
3. Sound: Sellers usually overlook this area, but listen up and pay close attention here!
*Peace and quite are the best sounds to experience when looking at a home. This allows a buyer to truly focus on picturing themselves living in your home.
*Before a showing, the seller needs to make sure not to run the dishwasher or leave on a TV. Trust me, even the quietest dishwasher talks and do you really want the buyer to flop themselves on your couch to catch the last few minutes of a ballgame? Keep their attention on your home!
*Make sure there are no sounds such as a dripping in the tub or sink, or mechanical problems like banging pipes.
*If you insist on a sound to set the mood, go with a classical or instrumental sound. Get the buyer in the mood to look around and explore all your home has to offer. Ever noticed the music that is played at the grocery store? It’s usually fun and upbeat…it makes you want to shop and buy more! There is a strategy behind that! Have a strategy behind the sound of your home.
4. Smell: This one sense will make or break you within the first few seconds after a buyer walks into your home! Think about a model home -it’s new, fresh and clean…strive to create those features.
*Bottom link: think CLEAN!
*Clean your home frequently. Lemon oil can have a long lasting scent, so use it!
* Painting your walls, having the carpets cleaned, adding a fresh coat of polyurethane to wood floors will give you the smell of new.
*Place special cleaning emphasis on areas where your pet stays.
*Try to not cook shortly before a home showing. A cooking smell can be a major turnoff.
This may seem like a lot to worry about. But just service your home room by room and you will have your place show ready in a matter of no time. For more information and more tips, email me and I will be happy to answer questions, provide you with additional tips or even stop by for a personalized home consultation. If you correctly set the mood, your work will pay off. Are you thinking of buying another home? You better be because your home is about to fly off the market to a sold position. Let me guide you on exactly what to watch out for. I am ready to go to work for you.
Wishing you all my best in your home selling and home search! -Kim AKA KimSoper.com!
Kim Soper, REALTOR
Residential & Commercial Real Estate
www.KimSoper.com
Keller Williams Bluegrass Realty
2424 Harrodsburg Road, Suite #101
Lexington, KY 40503
(859) 509-8008 cell
(859) 269-0065 fax
kim@kimsoper.com
Listing Office: Turf Town Properties
Listing Office: Prudential A.S. de Movellan
