by Susan Gruenling on July 13, 2008
Not everybody likes to give free advice; but if your home is for sale you should be receiving feedback.
Be sure that your Realtor requests feedback information from the other Realtors each time your home is previewed or shown. It’s really a pretty simple concept and easy to implement yet it is surprising how few agents do this.
Each time a property is shown the agent will use a lockbox key. They should also leave behind a card and in some cases maybe even call the listing agent first, but if not, the lockbox key is a way to track them. When the lockbox key is updated information on the homes they accessed will be sent to the appropriate listing agents. Usually agents update their keys daily, but I have seen information show up that is 2 weeks old-they must have been a part time Realtor.
Preferable the day of or day after viewing is the perfect time to contact the agent for feedback. There are several ways to do this. There is a site connected directly to the lockbox key that offers this service. Couldn’t be easier. A flyer can also be used and can be easily created using a template of the flyer an agent should already have for the property. Direct email will work. Calls are also a possibility though usually a last resort for me. Some agents let there phones go directly to voicemail and then do not want to spend their time calling back an agent when they have clients to tend to. If I get no response from several emails I will then resort to phone calls. Once in a while an agent will just not respond at all. When I receive email feedback I can then forward the remarks to my clients.
It is of value to pass on this information to the Seller. Agents are veiwing many homes and can offer ideas and insight. They may also include the opinions of their Buyers. When speaking to another agent the previewing agent will be honest as to why they may or may not be bringing back their client.
Also, when your Realtor hosts an open house they should be able to provide you with feedback sheets filled out from the visitors who stopped in that day. Some people are hesitant to provide an opinion and some will give detailed information (positive or negative). Take a good look at what the majority says. Are many people complimenting the beautiful backyard? Make sure that is the highlight of the marketing campaign. Does everyone comment that the space feels small? Maybe you should take out a few pieces of furniture or rearrange. It is good to know what people are thinking because one of these people will turn out to be your Buyer.?
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by Susan Gruenling on July 9, 2008
“What should I do to get my home ready for sale?” my friend asked. “Should I pull out the carpet and put down hardwood? What about the patio and repainting the kitchen?” My advice…
I think she is off to a great start by simply realizing that a property must look it’s best in this market. The fact that she is willing to make improvements tells me that she is realistic about today’s market. But I also warned her about going overboard. Right now if you put too much money into your place you are not going to see a large enough return on those investments. Your improvements will help the home sell quicker, but not necessarily at a higher price. If she were to install hardwood floors she would not be able to add $10,000 to the asking price.
We looked over her carpets. They are in good condition so I suggested that she have them professionally cleaned. If they were in poor condition I would have recommended replacement. Most Buyers do not want an allowance. It will make a difference when they walk into a home and there are clean carpets and tile under their feet. The same goes for the walls. If you have wallpaper or scuffed up paint a new coat of paint will freshen up the space. If you think it will cost too much or require too much effort on your part to have the floors and walls spruced up, guess what, Buyers will think so too. And that will reflect in their offer price.
Take a walk around your home and make sure everything is in proper working order. Buyers expect the disposal to work and the roof and plumbing not to leak. If you have been in your home for several years or you are aware of some maintenance or mechanical issues that need correction hire a licensed professional or you may even want to consider having a home inspection performed. This way you can repair any items ahead of time.
We walked through her home and discussed the areas that Buyers will really notice from the front porch to the back patio. Dark drapes will be removed, rooms will be painted, some furniture will be rearranged. Counter tops and closets are very important. You must create the illusion of space. Before you have to pack everything into boxes now is the best time to go through closets and purge unwanted and unworn items. My friend has a huge closet, larger than most for a home of its size. It will be a great selling point. All she needs to do is organize a few items in baskets or bins so it creates a more streamlined look and visually creates even more space.
Your Realtor is working with you to achieve a common goal-selling your property. This is our area of expertise. Our advice on how to prepare your home is in your best interest. If we suggest repainting the walls or rearranging furniture or taking some items off of the kitchen counter, please do not take it personally. We are not criticizing your taste. We are simply merchandising your home to obtain top dollar.
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by Susan Gruenling on June 6, 2008
Thinking of purchasing a home? Here’s why we think NOW is a great time to buy. [click to continue...]
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by Susan Gruenling on May 21, 2008
Wow, say that 3 times! Often forgotten about, the Appraiser plays an important role in the sale of a home.Before taking a listing a real estate agent will conduct a comparative market analysis on the property and present the information to the Sellers. Ultimately, the Sellers have the right to choose the asking price and the agent can in turn choose not to represent the house if they feel it is priced too high. We are in the business of “selling” not “listing” homes and we spend time and money working towards that mutual goal we share with our Sellers. Besides the “comps” the Sellers need to be aware of the power of the appraisal, which the agent may have failed to mention. When purchasing a home most Buyers will [click to continue...]
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