6 Ways to Help Your Property Sell

Last week, I wrote about one strategy that sells your house quickly:  price low.

Unfortunately, a lot of sellers in today's market don't have that luxury.  Here's a few tips that work in this tough market.

1. De-Clutter.  I know you love your collection of _____ (insert any collection) and think it's an interesting feature.  It isn't.  Box it up and utilize that space in a way that's appealing to buyers.  Take your appliances and knick knacks off the kitchen counters.  Put away your beauty products in the bathroom.  Take down the magnets and photos on your refrigerator.

2. Re-paint in neutral colors.  Red kitchens and dining rooms are so 2000.  Don't date your decor with bold colors.  Buyers are pickier than ever and one terrible paint color can make them delete your property from their search.  A tan/beige neutral is the top choice for most buyers.  Boring but tried and true.

3.  Clean extensively.  Nothing is worse than a grimy bathroom or kitchen when you're viewing property.  Hire a cleaning service if necessary.  Your property should sparkle.  Also keep your place tidy while it's on the market.  Make your bed.  Put away your soiled clothing and clean laundry. Hang up your coat and put away your shoes.

4.  Rearrange/Remove your furniture.  Most sellers have too much furniture in their space.  If you have belongings in every single corner, get rid of them.  If it's over sized and making your space look small, store it for your next place.  Rearrange your furniture to make the space open and inviting.  Open your blinds/curtains to show the view and the sunlight.

5.  Make sure it smells good.  That old man/sock smell is not making your place more attractive to a buyer.  On the other hand, you don't want to go over board.  Strong, floral plug-ins can make buyers suspicious.  The most appealing scents are cinnamon/apple, vanilla or citrus scents.

6.  Take good photos.  Use a professional photographer for photos of your property.  "Homes with professional photographs were found, on average, to be viewed 61 percent more online than others in that price range shot with a lower-end camera. The listings that used digital SLR cameras also commanded a 47 percent higher asking price per square foot, according to the Redfin analysis."  The stats speak for themselves.

A little prep work goes a long way when you're putting your place on the market.  Good luck!

Quote in #6 from "The Better the Property Photos, the Higher the Sale Price."