For Sellers - Selling in Today's Market

In just about all real estate markets, there are currently more homes on the market than there are qualified buyers. That means that the competition factor between houses has ratcheted up several levels.

If you are serious about selling your home you must present the most attractive package at the best price or buyers will buy your neighbor’s house and yours will remain on the market.

Get your lawn, trees, flower beds spruced up. Plant some colorful flowers (while you still have some summer left), keep the lawn mowed and the trees pruned. If you notice that the trim on your house is a bit worn, get out the paint brush and spruce it up. Make sure your front door is in the best possible condition.

As you enter your home, try to look at it like a potential buyer will look at it. Lose the family photos, box up the collections, get your clutter level down to the bare minimum. It goes without saying that your home must be spotlessly clean, closets shouldn’t look packed to the gills and, maybe more importantly, you can’t have any odors in your house. No pet odors, no tobacco odors, no cooking odors (other than maybe chocolate chip cookies baking). That doesn’t mean to crank up the room deodorizors. Some people find those frangrances very overpowering and some people are highly alergic to them. Just make sure it smells clean and fresh.

If you’ve gone a little wild and individualistic with your paint choices (maybe let your 12 year old choose her own wall color), seriously consider repainting in warm, neutral colors. Very soft pastels in neutral colors help while very strong colors can often be a turn off to potential buyers. Too many home improvement shows can make your house look overwhelming to a buyer . . . please control your urge to faux finish.

When there is a showing scheduled for your home, leave lights on throughout the house, open blinds and drapes. Take a look around, clean off the lists and photos from the refrigerator door, empty trash cans, make the bathroom spiffy with pretty towels and clean mirrors.

Buyers need to be able to picture themselves, their furniture and their families in a home they might consider buying. Let them see the house without constant reminders of you and your family.