Chesni’s Blog

Enhancing how your home shows to potential buyers cannot only help to sell it more quickly but can often improve the selling price.

Shine From The Street

A well kept, neatly landscaped property can be very inviting to the potential buyer interested in viewing your home. Refuse containers should be kept out of view, and the lawn should be freshly trimmed. Fertilizing a few weeks prior to listing will help your lawn look lush and green. Woodwork should be free of chipped or cracking paint.

Polish Your Entry

The front door should be clean or freshly painted. Brass and Chrome knobs should be polished. Consider placing a planter of fresh flowers on your front porch.

Minor Repairs A Major Plus

Repair all loose doorknobs and cupboard hinges, dripping faucets, stained sinks, loose or missing caulking, sticking doors and windows, and damaged or missing window screens.

Clutter Is Unattractive

Tidiness makes a room look larger and helps the buyer visualize his/her decor in your home. Workout rooms, sewing rooms, laundry rooms, and home offices should be as organized and clutter-free as the main living space in your home.

Lighting Does Wonders

An open, airy feeling generates comfort and welcomes hte potential buyer into your home. Drapes, curtains and mini blinds should be open to allow plenty of light in your home. Turn on all the lights when showing your home at night.

Closet Space Is A Plus!

Neat, well-organized closets appear larger. Larger closets help sell homes

Bathrooms That Sparkle

Remove stains from sinks, toilets, and bathtubs, incuding hard water spots on shower enclosure doors. If drains run slowly, unclog them. Hang fresh towels on the towel rack.
The Clean Kitchen

Make the most important room in the house appear larger by clearing clutter from the countertops. Avoid dirty dishes in the sink. All countertop appliances should be kept of of view. Replace or repair worn-out flooring. Clean the ventilating hood over your stove. A brighter kitchen is always more attractive.

Information provided by Chesni Dixon-Meske

http://www.chesni.com

New Listing Guide for Homeowners

For those looking to sell their home this summer, here are some tips to consider. For further assistance, contact Chesni at Chesni.com or directly at (310) 990-4716.

1. Price Your Home Right

Your agent can research comparable sales in your area and advise you of the appropriate price range for your property.

2. Be Flexible on Financing Terms

Have your agent explain what financing options are available. Flexibility on financing terms may secure a better selling price.

3. Time It Right

Ask a real estate professional to determine whether the market cycle is poised to net you the most money.

4. Make Your Property Accessible to Buyers

Lock boxes are a great way to make your home most accessible to agents for showing. Appointment-only showing are the most restrictive. If our lifestyle is not compatible with frequent showings, your agent will help you determine a solution to suit your needs. Remember, the easier a home is to show, the better the odds are of getting the deal you want.

5. Use the Latest Marketing Technology

Make sure your agent utilizes the latest technology, such as Internet sites that cater to home buyers. In some areas, cable access advertising is popular. Others use 800-number interactive voice response systems. A good agent will know where you can get the best exposure.

6. Stage Your Property Correctly

Put some items in storage, create more light, play music or otherwise improve the ambiance. Your agent can offer helpful advice to create the right first impression.

7. Remember That Selling Property is Not Seasonal

Don’t base selling decisions on the seasons. Property sells year-round.

8. Re-evaluate the Marketing Plan

Re-evaluate our agent’s marketing plan every 10 days. Make needed adjustments based on the current market and buyers.

9. Analyze Why You Aren’t Getting Offers

Eighty percent of all buyer activity comes from signs and MLS listings. So if you aren’t getting any offers and are flexible with showing your home, it may be time to re-evaluate your price. not necessarily your agent.

10. First Impressions Are Golden

Sales have gone south thanks to unkept lawns, cluttered closets, unpainted front doors, hard-to-work locks, blown light bulbs, bad colors, stains, unlit areas and foul smells. Spend time on the little things. Double up on your gardening. Keep things cleaner than usual. Take serious control of your pets during this time period.

11. Make The Right Kind of Repairs

Before making improvements prior to listing, consult a real estate professional. Some upgrades will not yield any real increase in value, while others may increase property value substantially. Ask for low-cost solutions to minor repairs that will yield the best profits.

12. Give the Sales Process Enough Time

Homes may take 3-6 months to sell in any market. Estimate how much time you have before you need to sell and then plan ahead to allow extra time. You don’t want to be forced to accept a disappointing offer.

13. Screen Prospects Adequately

One of the best reasons for hiring a realtor is his or her ability to pre-qualify a prospect financially so that you don’t lose valuable negotiation time. Your agent may discover when a prospect has an ulterior motive for shopping homes, other than purchasing.

14. Believe That You Can Make A Difference

The top agents in the industry report that their sellers are responsible for at least one out of 10 sales. You can network your business and personal friends, hand out flyers and keep your house in move-in condition. Your realtor should be ready to hand you all sorts of assignments to make the team effort successful.

15. Test the Market

Never put your property on the market unless you really want a sale! Get ready for a professional sales push when you list with a great agent. If your plan harbors some indecision, resolve it before you list because success is every great realtor’s objective!

When you’re ready to list, contact Chesni Dixon-Meske, Realtor ^®.

http://www.chesni.com