Selling Tips

As a homeowner, you can play an important part in the timely sale of your property. When you take the following steps, you’ll help us sell your home as fast as possible at the best possible price.

1. Make the most of that First Impression! A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free entrance welcomes prospects. So does a freshly painted/scrubbed front door. If it’s autumn, rake the leaves; if it’s winter, shovel the walkways and driveway; if it's summer, cut your grass. The fewer obstacles between prospective buyers and the true appeal of your home, the better.
2. Invest a Few Hours for Future Dividends. Here’s your chance to clean up in Real Estate. Clean up in the living room, the bathroom, the kitchen … if your woodwork is scuffed or the paint is fading, perhaps you might want to consider some minor redecoration. Fresh paint/wallpaper in the kitchen or bathroom can add charm and value to your property. Prospective buyers would rather see how great your home really looks than hear you tell them how great it could look "with a little work".
3. Check Faucets and Bulbs. Dripping water rattles the nerves, discoloured sinks suggest faulty or worn out plumbing. Burned out bulbs leave prospects in the dark. Don’t let little problems detract from what’s right with your home.
4. Don’t Shut Out a Sale. If cabinets or closet doors stick in your home, you can be sure they will also stick in a prospects mind. Don’t try to explain away sticky situations when you can easily plane them away. A little effort on your part can smooth the way toward a closing.
5. Think Safety. Homeowners learn to live with all kinds of self-set booby traps: roller skates on the stairs, festooned extension cords, slippery throw rugs and low hanging overhead lights. Make your residence as non-perilous as possible for uninitiated visitors.
6. Make Room for Space. Remember, prospects are looking for more than just comfortable living space. They are looking for storage space, too. Make sure your attic and basement are clean and free of unnecessary items. You may want to rent an outside storage unit for extra clutter.
7. Consider your Closets. The better organized a closet, the larger it appears. Now is the time to box up those unwanted clothes and donate them to charity.
8. Make your Bathrooms Sparkle! Bathrooms sell homes, so let them shine. Check and repair damaged or unsightly caulking in the tubs and showers. For added allure, display your best towels, mats & shower curtains.
9. Create Dream Bedrooms. Wake up prospects to the cozy comforts of your bedrooms. For a spacious look, get rid of excess furniture. Colourful bedspreads and fresh curtains are a must.
10. Open up in the Day Time. Let the sun shine in! Pull back your curtains & drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is.
11. Lighten up the Night. Turn on all your lights - both inside and out - when your home is being shown in the evening or on a dark & rainy day. Lights add colour & warmth and make prospects feel welcome.
12. Avoid Crowd Scenes. Potential buyers often feel like intruders when they enter a home filled with people. Rather than giving your house the attention it deserves, they are likely to hurry through. Keep the number of people present to a minimum.
13. Watch Your Pets. Dogs and cats are great companions, but not when you’re showing your home. Pets have a talent for getting under foot, so do everyone a favour and keep them outside or at least out of the way. Remember, not everyone is a pet lover.
14. Think Volume. Rock-and-Roll will never die, but it might kill a real estate transaction. When it’s time to show your home, it’s time to turn down the volume of your entertainment centre or television.
15. Relax. If you must be present during a showing, be friendly, but don’t try to force conversation. Prospects want to view your home with a minimum of distraction. Stay out of the way.
16. Don’t Apologize. No matter how humble your abode, never apologize for its’ short comings. If a prospect volunteers a derogatory comment about your home’s appearance, let your experienced Keller Williams Associate handle the situation.
17. Keep a Low Profile - Nobody knows your home as well as you do. But Keller Williams Sales Associates know buyers - what they need and what they want. Your Keller Williams Associate will have an easier time articulating the virtues of your home if you stay in the background. Also, a potential buyer may not want to say what they don’t like when you are near; therefore your realtor cannot overcome the objections.
18. Don’t Turn Your House into a Second-hand Store. When prospects come to view your home, don’t distract them with offers to sell those furnishings you no longer need. You may lose the biggest sale of all.
19. Defer to Experience. When prospects want to talk price, terms or other real estate matters, let them speak to an expert - your Keller Williams Sales Associate.
20. Help Your Agent. Your Keller Williams Associate will schedule your showings and report to you with feedback.