Call Today!               Sandra Scott               928-978-9047     10 Ways to Make Your House More Sellable   Daily Real Estate News....March 27, 2008   Curb Appeal Sells Homes, Survey Says: A survey of almost 500 real estate agents commissioned by JELD-WEN Windows & Doors indicates the increasing importance of curb appeal in selling a home. According to the Real Estate Agent Community Trends survey, 82 percent of practitioners polled said buyers unimpressed with a home's exterior will not want to look inside. The results also found that 90 percent of respondents said a sale depends on first impressions of the front entry, while 91 percent said the home's exterior is just as important as what is inside. Additionally, 75 percent of those surveyed said natural light is important; while the appearance of windows and doors and the presence of energy-efficient products were mentioned by 71 percent and 63 percent, respectively. Get rid of clutter. Throw out or file stacks of newspapers and magazines. Pack away most of your small decorative items. Store out-of-season clothing to make closets seem roomier. Clean out the garage. Wash your windows and screens to let more light into the interior.  Keep everything extra clean. Wash fingerprints from light switch plates. Mop and wax floors. Clean the stove and refrigerator. A clean house makes a better first impression and convinces buyers that the home has been well cared for.  Get rid of smells. Clean carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke, and pet smells. Open the windows. Put higher wattage bulbs in light sockets to make rooms seem brighter, especially basements and other dark rooms. Replace any burnt-out bulbs. Make minor repairs that can create a bad impression. Small problems, such as sticky doors, torn screens, cracked caulking, or a dripping faucet, may seem trivial, but they’ll give buyers the impression that the house isn’t well maintained. Tidy your yard. Cut the grass, rake the leaves, trim the bushes, and edge the walks. Put a pot or two of bright flowers near the entryway.  Patch holes in your driveway and reapply sealant, if applicable. Clean your gutters.  Polish your front doorknob and door numbers.  5 Ways to Speed Up Your Sale     Price it right. Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range.  Get your house market-ready for at least two weeks before you begin showing it.  Be flexible about showings. It’s often disruptive to have a house ready to show on the spur of the moment, but the more often someone can see your home, the sooner you’ll find a seller. Be ready for the offers. Decide in advance what price and terms you’ll find acceptable.  Don’t refuse to drop the price. If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to lower your asking price.