Ready, Set, Sold! 10 Tips to Sell Your Home in 10-Weeks

By Robert Jenson (c) 2008

As a homeowner, you play a critical role in the timely sale of yourproperty. Here are 10 tips to help sellers move their homes quickly and withas few setbacks as possible:

1) Do Your Homework Before Hiring a Realtor: Not all agents arecreated equal. Interview at least 3 agents, and come prepared with a listof questions you plan to ask. What is their track record? How do theymarket listings? Do they have a team to help show your home or does theresponsibility fall on one particular agent? Due diligence is key tofinding a representative prepared to work hard and who will be available toanswer your questions along the way.

2) Do Your Paperwork Early: Have listing paperwork and disclosurescompleted at least one-week before your house officially goes on the market.This way your agent can have photos complete, flyers ready, Internet ads upand running, etc. on the very first day your listing hits the market. Alsobe sure to get a copy of your home's MLS listing from your agent so you canavoid a costly error. It's entirely possible a bedroom was missed, orsomething was overlooked. Work as a team to make sure our home's listing isaccurate...and that the description is inspiring!

3) Pre-Inspect the Home: Even before you list your home, hireprofessionals to inspect the home including the roof, pool, and otherstructural elements, as well as for termites and other important buyerconsiderations. Make ALL repairs before you list the house on the market.Today's buyer is discriminating and has many choices - don't give them areason to have concerns. A complete list of the completed inspections andrepairs should be made available to serious buyers, which will go a long wayin expediting the process at large.

4) Stage the Home: Plant fresh flowers, wash the windows and screens,put on a coat of new paint, lay new carpet, add furnishings and décor items,eliminate clutter and remove personal photographs from around the house.It's time to show off your beautiful home and make someone else feelcompletely at home in it. First impressions are critical, so ensure thejunk is packed in boxes, and all boxes are put in storage vs. the garage sothe prospective buyer can properly evaluate and appreciate that part of thehouse, too. Clean out the closets, so they look bigger.

5) Set The Price: Remember you need to "Price to Sell," not "Price toOwn." Remember your goals and why you are moving in the first place. Withthis in mind, price the home at or below market value, not based what youneed, want or were hoping to get. An appraisal can help you discern whatnumber best hits that target.

6) Roll Out The Red Carpet: At all times your home should be ready tobe shown. From the first day your listing hits the market, your beds shouldalways be made, dishes done, socks put in the hamper, toiletries andmedications put away, etc. Be ready for a prospective buyer to walk throughat all times.

7) Showtime: If you know when prospective buyers are going to showup, turn on ALL the lights, open the blinds, light a nice smelling candle,and turn on some mellow music on low volume. In short, set the mood.Appealing to all the senses will leave potential buyers with a good feelingand impression about your home. And, don't hang around. Walk the dog or justtake a walk around the block so the buyers may tour the home unencumbered.Let the professionals do the selling!

8) Feedback: Your agent should be giving you feedback from each andevery showing either he or she makes, or made by other agents. If someonementions pet odors or other such problems, handle it ASAP. If someone seemsto be interested, don't delay as time is your enemy. Strike while the iron'shot and try to make a deal.

9) Think Outside the Box: Consider a "Reverse Offer." Consider thatone buyer who has been back for a second or possible 3rd look, but hasn'tpulled the trigger. Make them an offer! Yes you, as the seller, should putsomething in writing and submit it to the buyer's agent. This will createan opportunity for the buyer's agent to sit down with his or her client andpotentially help close the deal.

10) 4-Week Checkpoint: Still for sale? Time to take a hard look at theprice. Your greatest number of showings will happen within the first 3-4weeks of a listing hitting the market. This is because there is already apool of qualified buyers waiting for new homes to come on the market thatmight match their criteria. So, if you've had no bites by week 4, it's timeto increase your exposure by making a price adjustment. Repeat again every4-weeks, or sooner depending on how urgent or motivated your situation is.

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Please contact me, Robert Jenson, for more information on this or any otherreal estate related matter at Rob@TheJensonGroup.com or through my Web sitelocated at www.TheJensonGroup.com.