Top Home Selling Secrets to Success-How to Sell Your Home Regardless of the Current Economy

Most sellers are put off by the commission cost an agent charges but if you do the math and use common sense, it is the best route. Compare what an agent has full access to (regarding advertising, comps, other inside information not given out to the general public, attorney fees, legal advice, etc.) and then consider what your access is capable. Always think like a buyer when selling. If you are looking for a home, where would you start your search? Most likely, you'll begin with the current listings online. Who places those listings? Real estate agents place them on the multiple listing service (MLS.) That alone tells you who has the upper hand in advertising. In addition to that, make a list of all fees you will need to pay out-of-pocket for the actual selling process. Don't forget to include all legal fees, advertisement fees, site and/or newspaper ad placement fees, and your time (and skills) to show your home to potential buyers.
T he bottom line is hiring an agent will be well worth the price tag. Consider your selling time period (consider each mortgage payment you make each month that you could already be free from) and the time you may need to take off from work and other daily obligations to show the home. Take time to shop around for real estate agents and hire the one who you feel will do the best job for you. Many agents are also willing to negotiate their percentage fees, too.

Your next task is to find out what your home is worth. Your real estate agent will be able to do this for you. You also want to look at local comps for sale (i.e. houses for sale in your area that are in close comparison to your home.) Then comes the part where you need to grin and bare it... Take the worth price and slash 15 to 20 percent from it. Even in the worst markets, you'll be stampeded by buyers with multiple bids due to the great price. Buyers will bid up the price over what it's worth! It takes courage to do this but it's the best strategy to sell a home in today's market.

Before a new home seeker even walks through your door, they have already judged your home regardless of how decent the interior shows. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. That is why it is so important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. To spruce up your home's exterior, use inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers. You can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home's curb appeal.

Clean, inviting entryways are also key. Make it welcoming by placing a small bench and tall, narrow table with a vase of fresh-cut flowers or even some cookies. Seriously consider hiring a professional stager to maximize your homes' full potential. Staging simply means arranging your furniture to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the space. I have used a home stager and it was well worth it. I am positive that is what sold that home so fast. Ask your real estate agent for referrals to be sure you hire a reputable one. Some agents even offer a home stager as part of their service!

You're not just selling your house, you're ultimately selling your kitchen! It is the most important room to focus on to successfully sell your home. On average, sellers get 85% of their money back after remodeling a kitchen. A buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen is out-dated. It may cost a few thousand dollars to replace counter tops (or more than that if you go high-end like granite) but it is worth it if your current counters are chipped, aged or out-dated. However, use caution. Don't go too bold in color. Replace with neutral colors and if money is an issue for you, use a modern styled but inexpensive counter. Instead of replacing cabinets, simply replace the hardware. In fact, the fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use a neutral-color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style. If you have a little money to spend, buy one fancy stainless steel appliance. Why one? Because when people see one high-end appliance they think all the rest are expensive too and it updates the kitchen. The buyer can also add more high-end appliances to match to their personal liking.

Think carefully and logically before doing major home projects before selling. Spend larger amounts of money only when necessary. There are plenty of quick fixes that should be completed before selling and they always pay off. Even the little things that are left unfixed can turn a buyer off. Some of these "little things" include a leaky faucet, a running toilet, squeaky doors and dirty grout.
Put a fresh coat of paint on the walls. Clean the curtains or go buy some inexpensive new ones. Replace door handles, cabinet hardware, small cracks or dents in walls and be certain closet doors are on track. Also, never leave dirty dishes in the sink and try to keep dishes out of the dishwasher because buyers will look inside. Be sure the garbage disposal works and isn't stinky.
Another important tip to keep in mind is to de-clutter the bathrooms! Nobody wants to see what brand of toothpaste you use or your tools to style your hair. Place a non-see-through basket under the sink and store personal items inside. These "little things" will also make the bathroom, as with any room, appear larger.

When my husband and I were home seeking, we once looked at a house on the market that actually made us wonder if we had just walked into the Smurf house.

The living room walls were literally so blue it hurt our eyes!

That is no joke. I seriously just wanted to walk out because I was so turned off. Yes, paint colors can be changed, but more times than not, buyers don't want the added task of repainting. If they don't mind re-painting, they certainly don't want to spend the time in attempt to cover such bold, dark wall colors. It is also more difficult for them to envision their belongings in that home, which is a point I have made often because it is so important. Use neutral paint colors and design patterns in all rooms even if it isn't your taste. Your taste and style no longer matter. Try something like these examples in a bedroom or living room:

Presenting the house as clean, bright and cheery will make it more sellable. It will also make any room appear larger. Here are some tips on how to maximize the lighting in your home.

• Take down the drapes and clean the windows


• Cut or trim trees and bushes outside to let in natural light


• Clean or replace the lampshades (use a light color)


• If possible and safe, increase the wattage of light bulbs


• Add small spot lights behind floor plants


• Add or move lamps across the room to reflect in any mirrors

One of the most important things to do when selling your house is to de-personalize it. This is where imagining yourself as the buyer comes into play. Potential buyers must be able to imagine themselves living there. No one wants to purchase a house they can't feel can be theirs. Get rid of ALL family photos, memorabilia collections, trophies and any other personal keepsakes.
It is also important to gather up kids toys. Not only does it create a cluttered atmosphere, but what if the potential buyers are empty-nesters, don't like children or even worse, can't have children of their own? This can put a big negative stamp on the buyers' whole state of mind. Make every room look like a model home. Do you ever see family photos on the walls of a model home? Certainly not.

Not everybody is a pet lover so seriously consider temporarily relocating pets from the home. This is important especially for barking dogs and stinky cat litter boxes. You may think you have the cat box smell under raps but you may be surprised to know that you're used to the smell. Visitors will smell it and it is a big turn off. Some are also allergic to pet dander. A definite no-no is to send a potential buyer into a sneezing fit. Consider a pet hotel or a friends house for the furry family members.
It is quite easy to add a bit of scent to your home whether or not pets reside there. Don't get too perfumy or spicy. Try a light, pleasant scent such as vanilla or "fresh linen." Using scented oils is a great way to add a light scent to any room. You don't have to use an oil burner or candles, either. You can simply dab a few drops onto a plant or on curtains.

H ome buyers are always grading the home on ample storage space. Empty out of your cabinets and closets at least half way keeping only what you truly utilize for the time being. Buyers are going to snoop so keep the remaining items clean and neatly organized. Don't forget to remove and lock away any "very personal" items from counters, drawers and closets even if the item containing them isn't for sale.

Most of the pictures are from my own homes but some I give thanks and credit to Photobucket:
Real estate agent cartoon: eltejaye
Family photos on wall- motox829
Curb Appeal: wgcp2003