Setting the Stage to Sell Your Home

How can you ensure that your home will make the best impression possible? Here are some tips for savvy home sellers:

Curb appeal . The outside of your house can be the source of a very good first impression. Most buyers do “judge a book by its cover”. Make certain the trees and bushes are trimmed. Have the grass mowed, trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away any debris and store toys, bicycles, gardening equipment and the like out of sight. Keep garage door closed and remove parked cars. During spring and summer months consider adding a few showy annuals, perhaps in pots, near your front entrance. This all adds to curb appeal. If it’s wintertime, make sure all walks and driveways are clear of snow and ice.

Interior appeal . Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanness or odor when buying a home. Sellers lose thousands of dollars because they do not adequately clean. If your home is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell faster and net hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more. Potential buyers dislike a home that has too much furniture, overflowing closets, crowded kitchen and bathroom countertops or lots of family photos or collectibles on display.

Many people are extremely sensitive to offensive odors. Odors MUST be eliminated especially if you are a smoker, have pets or young children in diapers. There are a number of ways you can make your home smell great. Here are a few tips to eliminate bad odors: shampoo carpets; empty trash cans and ash trays; bathe your pets; freshen the cat litter box frequently; and place open boxes of baking soda in smell-prone areas. Introduce pleasing smells by placing flowers or potpourri in your home and by using air fresheners.

We realize that most owners are part-time residents of Big Bear and may need some assistance with accomplishing some of the items listed above. Please feel free to contact our Concierge Service Agent, who will be happy to assist you. 800-757-2210.

Pricing

You may have an idea of how much you want or need from the sale of your home. But what is a buyer willing to pay?

Please call for a FREE CMA. This is a comparative market analysis of homes, currently on the market and homes that have sold in the last 6 months that are most like your home in style, size, neighborhood and features. Your agent will explain how to come up with the most likely sale price based on the competition.

Your Role as the Seller

1. Keep the house in model condition - clean, neat and like nobody lives there.
2. Make agent access as convenient as possible. Allow a lockbox, signage with info box and make arrangements to be out of the house during showings.
3. For showings: have all lights on, do not use fragrant sprays, have trash empty, pay special attention to pets (inside or out) and their food, odors, etc. You agent will assist you with this.
4. Prepare all Disclosures requested of you by your agent to ensure a smooth escrow when a buyer has been accepted.
5. Have Fun!