Pricing your condo properly |
Every property has a range of values. The
low end of the range is where the buyer likes the house overall
but sees a number of things they do not like. The high end of
the range is for the buyer who loves everything and is willing
to pay for it. The majority of buyers are to be found somewhere
in the middle. Price your property for the majority of buyers
and my marketing strategy will cover all angles to attract the
one buyer who will love it all.
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Remove emotion |
Buying real estate is often an emotional
decision, but when selling real estate you need to remove emotion
from the equation. You need to think of your condominium as
a marketable commodity. Property. Real estate. Your goal is
to get others to see it as their potential home, not yours.
If you do not consciously make this decision, you can inadvertently
create a situation where it takes longer to sell your property.
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Un-clutter and depersonalize your home |
This is the hardest thing for most people
to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in
the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects
in such a way that may not be evident to the homeowner. However,
it does affect the way buyers see the home, even if you do not
realize it. Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let
a friend help point out areas of clutter, as long as you can
accept their views without getting defensive. DO THIS FOR EVERY
ROOM in the house.
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Plumbing Fixtures |
All your sink fixtures should look shiny
and new. If this cannot be accomplished by cleaning, buy new
ones where needed. This can be accomplished inexpensively and
they are fairly easy to install. Make sure all the hot and cold
water knobs are easy to turn and that the faucets do not leak.
If they do, replace the washers. Your local hardware store can
walk you through this process at a very reasonable cost.
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Ceilings and Walls |
Check all the ceilings for water stains.
Old leaks may leave stains, even after you have repaired the
leak. Of course, if you do have a leak it may be in your best
interest to repaired that is unless you are planning to sell
your home in "as is" condition. You should do the
same for walls, looking for not only stains, but also areas
where dirt has accumulated. Often times a warm soapy cloth will
clean high traffic areas with a single wipe. Painting can be
your best investment when selling your home. It is not a very
expensive operation and often a professional can be hired at
a very low cost. Do not choose colors based on your own preferences,
but based on what would appeal to the widest possible number
of buyers. Speaking directly with us may help to clarify what
colors will be best for your living space.
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Flooring |
Unless your carpet appears old and worn,
or it is definitely an outdated style or color, you probably
should do nothing more than hire a good carpet cleaner. If you
do choose to replace it, do so with something inexpensive in
a fairly neutral color, again, this is where we can help. Repair
or replace broken floor tiles, but do not spend too much money
on anything. Remember, you are not fixing the place up for yourself.
You want to move. Your goal is simply to have as few negative
impressions upon those who may want to purchase your property.
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Windows and Doors |
Check all of your windows to make sure they
open and close easily. If not, a spray of WD40 often helps.
Make sure there are no cracked or broken windowpanes. If there
are, replace them before you begin showing your home. Do the
same things with the doors – make sure they open and close properly,
without creaking. If they do, a shot of WD40 on the hinges usually
makes the creak go away. Be sure the doorknobs turn easily,
and that they are cleaned and polished to look sharp. As buyers
go from room to room, someone opens each door and you want to
be sure a positive impression is made.
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Odour Control |
| For those who smoke, you may want to minimize
smoking indoors while trying to sell your home. You could also
purchase an ozone spray that helps to remove odours without
creating a masking odour. Pets of all kinds create odours that
you may have become used to, but are immediately noticeable
to those with more finely tuned olfactory senses. For those
with cats, be sure to empty kitty litter boxes daily. For those
with dogs, try to keep them outdoors as much as possible. |
