How to Make your Home Stand Out in a Stale Market

How to make a seller’s home stand out
The biggest problem sellers face is simply a bigger than normal inventory. That means a seller’s big challenge today is figuring out how to stand out amidst all those other homes buyers can look at. Sellers need to act like they’re in competition with every other home for sale in the area. Because they are. As always, what matters are location, condition and price.

A seller can’t do anything about improving the appeal of a location—it is what it is.
They can, however, put price in their favor. Sellers need to focus on what comparable homes in their area have actually sold for (not listed at). If they’re under pressure from a job transfer or expanding family, they should probably price BELOW the prevailing range. The idea is to price aggressively enough that buyers have to check them out. That brings us to condition.


Improvements it makes sense to do
In today’s competitive market, sellers are not recouping the money they put into upgrades the way they did in the past. But there are still areas where a judicious investment will pay out with a timely sale.
Sellers should start with improving their home’s curb appeal. Today, sellers are finding out that anything they do to make the outside of their property look terrific is money well spent. Ideally, people should fall in love with a home between the car and the front door. New windows, doors and siding will help a home look crisp and well cared for from the street. They also make the home more energy efficient, a big plus in today’s market. Just having freshly painted trim and new hardware go a long way to making a great first impression.
Sprucing up landscaping is also important today—especially for an older home. Well-trimmed trees and shrubs can do a lot help older homes compete against new ones with sparse foliage.
Inside and out, any repairs the seller has begun must be completed. An unfinished repair usually looks worse than the untreated problem. Inside, sellers should freshen up paint, clear out clutter and hire a professional stager. These things give the impression a home is well taken care of. Staging doesn’t really cost a lot—smart sellers look at it like having a car detailed.


Anticipate buyer’s mindset
For repairs or upgrades most buyers will want to make, advise the seller to get contractor estimates for the improvement and present them to interested prospects. You might even suggest the seller hire a home inspector, make the essential repairs and show the receipts to serious buyers.Sellers should also consider projects that can lower insurance premiums. Electrical and plumbing upgrades may cut rates. If a roof needs replacing, have sellers check with their insurer about discounts for wind, hail and fire-resistant roofing. The same may be true for burglar and fire alarm systems.



The Bottom Line

Consult your Realtor today! See what should be done to make your home stand out! In many cases I tell my clients a weekend of clean up and organizing and fresh paint can make all the difference. No need break the bank.



Seller's Only get one Shot

Seller's only get one shot in today's market to make the home stand out and keep the buyer attracted to the property.



Todd Elkins of Master Realtors, Inc.

Dallas, Texas

http://www.themasterrealtor.com/

972-739-5228