Mistakes Sellers Make

Sometimes sellers have their own ideas of what is right, what works, and what it takes to sell in this market. This is a list of just a few that I have run into:

1. Pricing too high. What I do for my clients when pricing their house is to pull comparable properties, not just properties in the neighborhood, or what they want for it, and I use the same addition and subtraction that an appraiser would use when setting fair market value. You are much more likely to get a full price offer on a house that's priced right than you are to get a low ball offer on a house that's priced too high.

2. Questioning the first offer. If there's one thing I've learned from my broker (who's been selling real estate for some 40 years) it is that the first offer is usually the best offer. It's likely from the person who's been out there looking and just waiting for their perfect house to show up.

3. Not responding to all offers. Sure a low ball came in, but what do you expect from a buyer in this market...that's what their programmed to do! Never be the one to let the negotiations die.

4. Using a stager. That's what you're realtor is for! I work with plenty of buyers, and I know what they notice, how they see it, what makes a room look usable vs cramped...let your realtor work for you!

5. Picking the wrong buyer. The highest bidder might not be the best one, especially when it comes to closing day and oops their not qualified after all! Your realtor will be familiar with area lenders and will know the signs of what to look for in qualifying a buyer.

Of course nothing is fool proof. But as you can see, using a well qualified realtor will lessen your chances of making a mistake by using their expertise in marketing, person skills, and knowledge in the closing of the deal. It pays to use a realtor!

April is Open House month!

It's spring and the sun is shinning, the birds are chirping, snow pants and boots are put away...OK maybe not here in Wisconsin, however the buyers are out in full force! Spring is the busy season in real estate. The weather is warmer, not freezing cold, not boiling hot, which makes for nice moving weather, and most families want to be into their new house before the start of the next school year.

April has become "Open House Month". This is a great and fun way to preview houses. Here is some simple open house etiquette:

Introduce yourself, and sign in on the sign-in sheet.

If your shoes are dirty, take them off!

Let the agent know if you are currently working with another agent. You may even want to sign in your agents name and number instead of your own.

Please don't try to avoid the agent! We are not the plague! We are there to show you around the house and answer questions. Homesellers don't really like strangers having free reign in their house.

If you happen to show up at the very end, please only take a quick peek! Chances are the agent has another appointment to get to. If you want to see more for longer, make an appointment for a private showing.

Most importantly, enjoy!

Preparing A Home For Sale

In a buyer's market, having a well prepared home for sale will definitely improve your chances of having interested buyers. Preparing a home doesn't mean you need to hire professional stagers to prep up your house. Here are a couple ideas that you can do yourself and will increase the saleability of your home:

Curb appeal: you've got to get the buyer's out of their car first! Plant some fresh flowers, keep the bushes trimmed and the grass mowed. In winter, keep the driveway and sidewalks clear of all snow and ice. Any peeling paint around the house? Faded shutters or doors? A fresh coat of paint goes a long way.

Clutter: remove remove remove! Rent a storage unit if you must! Having things packed in does not represent how much room you have to store stuff (as one seller expressed to me) it only shows how much stuff you have. It's a turn off to buyers. So declutter the closets, the basement, and the counter tops.

Paint! Again, a fresh coat of paint goes a long way.

Dust: sounds simple enough, but really do a thorough cleaning in every nook and cranny.

These are just a few ideas to share on this blog. For a complete list of ideas that won't break the bank or your back, please contact me by either email or phone and I can send it over to you!