Tips for Getting Your Home SOLD

This market has created some unique challenges for sellers that need to get their home sold. You can not turn on the news, log on to your computer, or read a newspaper without being bombarded with reports about "The Credit Crisis", "States with the highest Number of Foreclosures or Short Sales", "Sub-Prime Mortgages",or "Banks going into Bankruptcy". There are some of us that just need to sell our home for any one of a number of reasons, like we had a baby and need more space, children moved out and need less space, moving out-of-state for a job or family, or getting divorced and do not want a big home or payment, anymore. So here is my advice on getting your home sold in this market.

I truely believe the phrase "what you resist, persists" and the way this translates into selling your home, stop reading all the bad Real Estate news! If you feel like you need to stay informed, save the old newspapers and pick them up after your home is sold. It is already known that the stock market and the economy to a great extent is driven by emotions; so don't let your emotions believe this is never going to sell because you may be right. There is another phrase that applies here and that is, "fake it, until you make it". If you are having problems believing your home will sell, try this one: take three of the brochures or flyers for your home and in big black letters write SOLD, then place these in places you will see several times a day. When you open that cabinet door or look in the mirror that brochure is staring back at you and say, "I am so happy & grateful now that my home is SOLD"!

Now you have to get your home ready for that perfect Buyer. Buyers make their decision on whether or not to purchase a home in 20 seconds after opening the door. Therfore, consider this 20 second rule with keeping the front door clean, maybe paint the door, polish the hardware, clean the cob webs out of the light fixture, sweep the front walk, add a wreath or a pumpkin or a potted plant, but keep this space always looking clean and welcoming. This would include leaving the porch light on, now that our days are shorter.

Another tip on making your home feel welcoming to Buyers is put a sign on the refrigerator saying," Thank you for taking the time to show our Home, please help yourself to a bottle of water or juice". Then keep your refrigerator stocked with bottled water or juice. This really only works well if the home is vacant. If the home is vacant, make sure every room has a light source or use a floor lamp. Timers on the light are sometimes a good idea as well.

Stay posted....on my next blog I will offer you some Home Staging Tips. If anyone uses these tips and has a comment I would love to hear your thoughts.