Five Quick Tips For Selling Property For More Money
The real estate market seems to be coming back to life and prices are certainly rebounding here in Pinellas County and throughout Florida.
If you are thinking about selling, now is the time to maximize your opportunity to sell your property for the highest possible price.
So, what tricks can you use to separate your house from the competition and get the highest price for your real estate today?
Here are five time-tested ideas that I've seen work over and over and over and over ...
1. Photography. We live in a highly visual age. The better your house looks on-line or in printed materials, the more likely it is to sell faster and for a higher price. So, you have to get high quality photos of it. One way is to hire professional photographers to shoot your home inside and out. But honestly, with today's foolproof cameras and digital technology, almost anybody can take great interior and exterior photos. There is one trick to great photos: use a camera with a good flash. When you use the flash inside, it eliminates shadows. Shadows make your rooms look smaller because they are actually dark spots in the image. Dark spots reduce detail and make rooms look smaller. Also, flash allows you to shoot toward windows without causing backlighting and silhouettes that hide the lovely details of your rooms. So, always use a camera with a flash.
2. Music. If your property will be shown when you are not present, turn on some background music. It creates a relaxed, easy-going mood that makes your property much more inviting. Don't play it loud ... remember, it's background music. Personally, I think easy listening jazz is the best kind of music, but classical is just about as good. It's a matter of taste and the style of your home. Stay away from hard rock and rap. It's too distracting and sets the wrong tone for most home viewing. If you have a computer with some good speakers, try Jazzradio.com and select something you enjoy from the various program options. It's a can't miss approach that will bring extra money to your sale. Why? Because it helps people like your house even more ... and the more they like it, the more they may be willing to pay for it.
3. Entry. This is really easy. Back in the day, we used to call this "curb appeal". Some of us old-time real estate agents still do. All you have to do is dress up the front of your house. I like to put a few flowering potted plants near the front door. It gives the entry some color and makes things look fresh and fun. You might want to add a nice new welcome mat while you're at it. And if the front door needs painting, do it. It will make a difference that will pay big dividends.
4. Closets. There is an old saying in real estate: "Big closets sell little houses". It's true! In order to make your closets and pantries look larger, all you have to do is get rid of the clutter. Away with all those old shoes on the floor of the bedroom closet. Take all the old clothes that you'll never wear over to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Spend a weekend cleaning out and straightening up the garage ... at least get it to the point where one car can be parked inside! You will be surprised how de-cluttering your closets and storage areas will make them look larger. Besides, you're going to have to pack all that stuff when you move, so why not get a leg up on that chore now. This, folks, is a money maker.
5. Clean. Nothing says "Yuckpooey" more than an unclean house. When a buyer says "ugh", you can kiss the sale goodbye. So, before you put the house on the market and every day thereafter, clean, clean, clean. Get the whole family together and make things bright and sparkly. Get rid of odors. Bleach out stains. Wash in corners. Mop up everything. Dust. Dust. And then, dust again. Never leave a dish in the drainer. Never leave a sock on the floor. Hang all the towels. You know the drill. As an old real estate friend of mine used to say; "make it look like a model home everyday".
Now, sure, there are probably fifty other things I could include as tips for getting a higher price for your home. But I'll guarantee you this, if you do these five things religiously, your house will sell for the highest price, in the shortest time, and with the least inconvenience to you.
Try it! What have you got to lose, except your property!
If you are thinking about selling, now is the time to maximize your opportunity to sell your property for the highest possible price.
So, what tricks can you use to separate your house from the competition and get the highest price for your real estate today?
Here are five time-tested ideas that I've seen work over and over and over and over ...
1. Photography. We live in a highly visual age. The better your house looks on-line or in printed materials, the more likely it is to sell faster and for a higher price. So, you have to get high quality photos of it. One way is to hire professional photographers to shoot your home inside and out. But honestly, with today's foolproof cameras and digital technology, almost anybody can take great interior and exterior photos. There is one trick to great photos: use a camera with a good flash. When you use the flash inside, it eliminates shadows. Shadows make your rooms look smaller because they are actually dark spots in the image. Dark spots reduce detail and make rooms look smaller. Also, flash allows you to shoot toward windows without causing backlighting and silhouettes that hide the lovely details of your rooms. So, always use a camera with a flash.
2. Music. If your property will be shown when you are not present, turn on some background music. It creates a relaxed, easy-going mood that makes your property much more inviting. Don't play it loud ... remember, it's background music. Personally, I think easy listening jazz is the best kind of music, but classical is just about as good. It's a matter of taste and the style of your home. Stay away from hard rock and rap. It's too distracting and sets the wrong tone for most home viewing. If you have a computer with some good speakers, try Jazzradio.com and select something you enjoy from the various program options. It's a can't miss approach that will bring extra money to your sale. Why? Because it helps people like your house even more ... and the more they like it, the more they may be willing to pay for it.
3. Entry. This is really easy. Back in the day, we used to call this "curb appeal". Some of us old-time real estate agents still do. All you have to do is dress up the front of your house. I like to put a few flowering potted plants near the front door. It gives the entry some color and makes things look fresh and fun. You might want to add a nice new welcome mat while you're at it. And if the front door needs painting, do it. It will make a difference that will pay big dividends.
4. Closets. There is an old saying in real estate: "Big closets sell little houses". It's true! In order to make your closets and pantries look larger, all you have to do is get rid of the clutter. Away with all those old shoes on the floor of the bedroom closet. Take all the old clothes that you'll never wear over to Goodwill or Salvation Army. Spend a weekend cleaning out and straightening up the garage ... at least get it to the point where one car can be parked inside! You will be surprised how de-cluttering your closets and storage areas will make them look larger. Besides, you're going to have to pack all that stuff when you move, so why not get a leg up on that chore now. This, folks, is a money maker.
5. Clean. Nothing says "Yuckpooey" more than an unclean house. When a buyer says "ugh", you can kiss the sale goodbye. So, before you put the house on the market and every day thereafter, clean, clean, clean. Get the whole family together and make things bright and sparkly. Get rid of odors. Bleach out stains. Wash in corners. Mop up everything. Dust. Dust. And then, dust again. Never leave a dish in the drainer. Never leave a sock on the floor. Hang all the towels. You know the drill. As an old real estate friend of mine used to say; "make it look like a model home everyday".
Now, sure, there are probably fifty other things I could include as tips for getting a higher price for your home. But I'll guarantee you this, if you do these five things religiously, your house will sell for the highest price, in the shortest time, and with the least inconvenience to you.
Try it! What have you got to lose, except your property!
-30-
posted by Terry Ward at 1:48 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home