Advice On Getting That SOLD Sign Placed In Your Front Yard!

by gerrie

posted on 09/28/2009

While this may be a great time to purchase a home if you have the money, for many it is a lousy time to try to sell. For Sale signs are often seen sitting in front of a house for months upon end, and it is not uncommon to see them in two or three different yards within one short block.

As an already drastically reduced home remains on the market month after month, feelings of frustration often surface after the first few months, and can quickly be followed by a desperation that can squelch the hopes and dreams of an eager would be seller. This is especially true when competition is great in one's own neighborhood.

Whether you are trying to sell your home yourself, or going through a Real Estate Agent, there are things you need to know that can help you gain leverage over the competition down the street. Preparation of your home on several different levels will get your home on the top of the list for those who drop in to see whether or not this is the house they will choose as their home. Address the areas you know need to be fixed up, cleaned, cleared out, etc. Try the following:

INVITE A FRIEND TO BE BLUNT
Invite someone you know to be blunt to a fault! Be ready to take constructive criticism, in fact, just go ahead and ask for it upfront. Ask them to try to view your home, inside and out, as though they have never seen it before...as one who might be interested in living in this neighborhood.

Get ready to have the following areas ready for inspection for your friend's visit.
Outside:
~ Freshly painted or pressure washed outside of house, garage, etc.
~ Grass mowed
~ Hedges or bushes trimmed
~ Weeds pulled
~ Fresh flowers planted or an arrangement on the porch
~ A "Welcome" sign placed somewhere in the yard or at the door
~ All trash removed
~ Newspapers and/or flyers discarded from the driveway
~ Windows and glass storm doors clean
~ Window ledges and doors in good repair
~ Old cars or bikes out of view

Inside:
~ Thoroughly clean (including baseboards, corners, window sills, windows, cabinets, appliances, walls, showers, etc)
~ Carpet professionally cleaned
~ Hardwood floors clean and polished
~ Freshly painted rooms
~ Indoor steps decluttered and cleaned (including children's rooms)
~ Pleasant fragrance without being overbearing (perhaps have bread baking in the oven, or orange peels simmering on a low burner)
~ No pet orders or hairs
~ Garage organized and clean
~ All rooms organized, neat, and looking spiffy

These suggestions are no guarantee that your house will sell, but should guarantee a good start over your neighbor selling theirs first!

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