GIVE ‘EM WHAT THEY WANT!

You're preparing to sell your home, and you've taken all the right steps. You've contacted an agent to represent you and to market your home, taken care of needed repairs, cleaned up the yard, and given your home the "white glove" treatment. How else can you attract buyers and a full price offer?

What buyers want when they purchase a home is peace of mind. With a policy called a home warranty, you can practically guarantee it! A home warranty is particularly attractive to prospective buyers if your home is more than fifteen years old, or if your major appliances (including heat and air) have long passed their younger days.

These warranties cost just a few hundred dollars, and will cover the cost of repairs to or replacements for the appliances and systems in your home. Imagine the confidence this will inspire in buyers, who will understand immediately that they won't have any unplanned repair expenses after their purchase. A blown heat pump or leaking dishwasher are corrected with a phone call and very small service call fee.

Of course, a home warranty is a valuable policy regardless of whether you're selling or buying, and experience shows that many buyers choose to renew their coverage after the seller's contract expires. When it comes to home ownership, peace of mind is like money in the bank!

Sights and Smells!

Attracting buyers has turned into quite the competitive sport. Once you catch a buyer's attention with a favorable asking price, how do you encourage them to select your home from the other choices? Namely, assault their senses!

Since first impressions do count, you should start at the front door. Apply a fresh coat of paint and new hardware. On the inside, paint the walls with neutral colors. Designers recommend golden beiges and sandy tans.

Now make the buyer's eyes dance around the home, taking in shiny new faucets, bright light fixtures, and attractive doorknobs and cabinet pulls. Like jewelry that accessorizes your home, these details can make quite a statement about your pride of ownership.

Another way to show off is to reduce your furnishings by at least 25% throughout the house, even if you have to pay for storage. This will convey a sense of open space to potential buyers as they size up the interior for their own belongings.

Finally, when your home is being shown, you can subconsciously influence buyers through their noses. It may sound silly, but it's proven that a home smelling of freshly made bread or cookies generates more offers. Of course, a spotless kitchen helps to increase that impact.

Conveying cleanliness and comfort throughout your home will make a lasting impression, so don't overlook the power of the senses!

First Impressions Count!

When you start planning to put your home on the market, it's time to show off! Try to imagine that your in-laws are coming for an extended visit, and then triple the effort you would put into preparing for their arrival. Sellers are competing for offers, and it all starts at your front door - literally.

Impress potential buyers at first sight with a well-tended lawn and entryway. When they walk through the door, make sure they do not sense any clutter. You've got to pack it up sooner or later, so take the opportunity to do it now, before another agent or buyer steps into your home. An abundance of personal items like photos and children's "refrigerator art" can interfere with a buyer's ability to picture the home as their own.

Next, if it should shine, make it so! Polish doorknobs, handrails, and lighting fixtures, anything that can add a little sparkle and show your pride of ownership. This includes windows (and screens), which should let in plenty of light for the show.

First impressions really do count when it comes to presenting your home. Accentuate its features and eliminate distractions such as personal items or unpleasant odors. An uncluttered, well kept home will attract buyers, and a little time and care can make the difference between a quick sale and a languishing listing.