The Couragous Seller

I want to say that I admire your initiative!  Before you consider selling your house yourself, ask yourself if you are going to have the time needed - even if you just cover the basics.  Be sure to keep reading for the 10 Ways to Make Your Home More Saleable

The Basics

Complete an extensive research of local market conditions, including:

Put together a marketing plan.

• How will you market your house to REALTORS®?  Most buyers use a REALTOR®, so marketing to REALTORS® is essential. At a minimum, you'll want to send a letter and sales flyer to all REALTORS® within your area.
• How much money can you afford to devote to advertising? Call the local newspapers to determine how much it will cost for advertisements.
• Who will create your sales flyers? Buyers expect fact sheets to take with them when they drive-by or tour a house for sale.
• Where will you place signage? In addition to your front yard, are there areas leading in to your neighborhood where signage would be appropriate?
• How will potential buyers find information about your house on the Internet? Approximately 74% of buyers go to the internet before they ever set foot in a home. Be sure to determite which websites get the most activity. 
• Who will take inquiry calls and schedule appointments?  Be sure to schedule showings as quickly as possible - even the same day.  Buyers will move on quickly especially with all the other homes on the market.
  Tips: Ask newspapers for a discounted advertising rate for multiple placements. Be sure to check with local officials to determine if there are any restrictions on where you place signs. 
  

Confirm that the potential buyer has pre-qualified for a mortgage loan.

• If the buyer is buying with cash, confirm that they have the necessary resources.
• If the purchase is contingent on the buyer selling their own house, confirm that the buyer's house is on the market. (You may also want to determine how long the buyer's house has been on the market.)

Negotiations, Contracts and Closings

• Are you prepared to negotiate the contract?
• Do you know what the legal responsibilities of the seller are in your area?
• Who will write the contract? Will you need to hire an attorney? If so, what will be the attorney's fees?
  Tips: In addition to the sales contract, you'll need to complete a Seller's Property Information Statement among other state required forms.

 10 Ways to Make Your Home More Saleable

 1. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack awaymost of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage.

2. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.

3. Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.

4. Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows.

5. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs.

6. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained.

7. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.

8. Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable.

9. Clean your gutters.

10. Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.