Seller Information – Rules to sell your home in 2009 – Cleveland Real Estate – www.cjharrington.com

Posted By:
CJ Harrington
cj@cjharrington.com
www.cjharrington.com
440.336.0612
Keller Williams Realty
2009

Nine tips for competing in today's market

1. Overcome any possible objections.
Sellers often do not understand that their primary job is to not only eliminate any potential objections that would stand in the way for a buyer to make an offer, but to exceed their expectations as well. If your home is competitively priced and your home's condition exceeds a buyer's expectations, you will get an offer.
2. Get your home into shape before I let anyone see it.
You need to "stage" your home, which means you have to make it look exactly the way a buyer thinks it should.
You should even stage the home before you invite any real estate agents or brokers in to assess how much it is worth.
How do you stage a home? Start by throwing away, giving away or packing away anything you haven't used in the last three to five years. You should also give your home a thorough cleaning and address any small fixer-upper projects you've been putting off.
This means… move out excess furniture, buy matching towel sets for the bathroom, and make sure you have a new cover with matching pillows for your bedrooms.
3. Invite at least three agents to make the best decision for you.
Often, sellers simply call the agent who sold them their home. You may end up with that person, yet you will be doing yourself a favor if you invite a couple of other agents in from different firms.
Why? Because each agent will have a different marketing plan and idea about how much your home is worth. Each may have a slightly different idea about how to market your home and this can give you ideas to share with the agent you finally choose.
4. Know what your selling timetable is
Do you want to sell or do you need to sell? If you need to be out in three months or less, you'll need an aggressive agent with a very competitive list price. By knowing when you have to move -- and sharing that crucial bit of information with your agent -- allows you to choose a correct pricing and marketing strategy.
5. Be realistic about the market.
Find out what is selling and what the average number of days on the market is for similar homes that are selling. Accept the reality of your local market. Do not blame your realtor. Sellers who set sky-high I you price your home unrealistically you could wait months for an offer and in the end may wind up with the same price you would have had if you would have priced your home correctly the first time.
6. Know where you are going.
Once you've decided to sell, you ought to think about where you want to be. Start researching neighborhoods that offer the amenities you are interested in. Do not wait until you have a contract on your home. You may end up with a new home you don’t really want
7. Read all documents thoroughly before I signing.
Why would you sign a legal document you haven’t read? I'm not sure, but home sellers do it every day. Take the time to read and understand the listing contract, offer to purchase, and loan documents for your next purchase. Unless you've got cash to spare, a mistake in these documents and the warranties they contain. Yes, you should choose a realtor who will educate you, but you should also hold yourself responsible in this decision.
8. Set a minimum sales price.
Everyone wants to get their list price. But unless you know how to sell a buyer on overpaying for your home you need to be realistic
In order to negotiate effectively, it helps to determine the minimum amount you'll be happy accepting for your home -- before you put your property on the market. This way you will know how to negotiate with an offer that is under you asking price.
9.Do not be greedy.
One big mistake many sellers make is to get greedy. Specifically, sellers treat the first offer as a game of how much you can get.
Remember, a successful sale means everyone walks away feeling happy. Be reasonable and you'll end up shaking hands with the buyer at the closing, rather than watch him or her walk away.
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