SELL THIS HOUSE!!

Advice is great - when you are the giver and not the receiver!  So, now as a seller you will receive a lot of advice from friends, relatives and realtors on how to prepare your home for sale.  Realtors find that many Sellers find it difficult to understand why the home they have put a lot of love and hard work into doesn't capture the hearts of all buyers.  Well, here are some tips for sellers that might help move your home a little faster - and the first one is the most important!

1.  Take your emotions out of the process and follow the advice of your realtor and stager!  Don't be offended when the realtor advises you to remove the stenciling in the baby's room, or to remove the personal pictures.  Your goal is to sell this house and emotions won't get it done.

2.  Leave the house when being shown.  This is critical.  Buyers are nice people who won't look in your cupboards or closets if you are in the area and will leave quickly to avoid putting you out - and probably won't make an offer.

This means everyone should leave - it won't be for that long and it will lower the level of tension for buyers if they vocalize what they like or don't like about the house while trying to convince themselves to make an offer.

3.  Take all Pets - or make sure they won't come over to wlelcome visitors.  Many people are uncomfortable around loose dogs/cats and will either not stay or make a very short visit.  Additionally, yappers can shorten the visit as they either don't like the noise or don't want to irritate the animal any further.

4.  Fresh Smells trump heavily perfumed candles or pet odors!  Open windows, if possible, to let in fresh air or cut a lemon - avoid heavy duty candles and deodorizers.  Many people find it overpowering or their sinuses and allergies get activated,and some people wonder what you are covering up.

5.  Curb Appeal includes ensuring the yard and entry is free of animal droppings and overgrown landscaping!  I took a client to a house that had a large chain across the front porch, the porch and door were covered in dried mud and the yard smelled of dog droppings - we didn't go in.  At another house we felt we needed a machete to walk on the sidewalk to the front door!

6.  DECLUTTER!!  Clutter is not just stuff that is out of place but can also be too much stuff period!  Removing some furniture to open up space will allow them to visualize a little better how their furniture will fit.  Start packing things away now since you are going to move anyway!!! Rent a storage shed or pod for items you don't have to have to live from day to day.

7.  CLEAN - clean the bathroom and kitchen until they sparkle!  Remove marks from walls, clean the baseboards, sweep the porches and remove all spider webs around the house.  Just cleaning may make the difference - buyers can deal with bright paint colors if things are clean and appear to be move in ready.

The key to selling a home is making it appealing in many ways:  good curb appeal, no offensive odors, no clutter, and feelings of space will help buyers realize that the market price is a good buy for them if they have a pleasant experience.  So, when your realtor suggests some changes remember to remove your emotions and keep in mind that your goal is to Sell This House!