Still trying to sell your home
We're just about at the end of our traditional winter selling season, and you still don't have a buyer for your home or condo. Could one of the reasons be the everyday things that look perfectly normal to you are looking a little tired to potential buyers?
Although the real estate market in Florida, in general, and in our area, in particular, is showing very healthy signs that a recovery is underway, it's still not the time to let down your guard. And what you should be guarding against if you're trying to sell your property is anything that shows your home in a negative light.
Every couple of years, I like to state the obvious, or at least the obvious to me, and that is to get your property in tip top shape before putting it on the market. I don't necessarily mean ripping out the kitchen and bathrooms, but what I do mean is cleaning and de-cluttering the most important rooms of the house.
Children's toys neatly stored in closets that aren't overflowing, organized garages or storage sheds and collections of anything that can be considered a dust collector put away. It cannot be said enough that cleanliness is next to godliness, and clutter free is next to sanity.
All the other usual getting your house ready for sale stuff also still applies including clean windows, appliances in working order, no peeling paint or rotted wood and no, I repeat, no pet odors ever ever, especially during humid summer months.
Homegain.com is a general real estate website that contains a lot of good buyer and seller information and some not so obvious tips to consider before placing your home on the market.
Change the toilet seats in all the bathrooms, re-caulk showers and tubs, clean stains from sinks, install new front door accessories and, of course, paint the front door, desqueak doors, remove oil spots on garage floors and replace or paint the mailbox. These are all little things that you probably overlook in your day to day living, but may jump out at a buyer looking at your home.
For years, I have recommended to sellers to get a pre-inspection and pre-termite inspection of their home before placing on the market. The cost for a pre-inspection is in the hundreds not the thousands and will give you information that will eventually be disclosed by a buyer's inspector.
Knowing ahead of time any hidden problems that could kill an otherwise good deal is just smart. And don't be surprised if some buyers accept your current written inspection and not go through the expense of another one, especially in the case of condo purchases. It also gives you the physiological edge, making you appear to be very honest and forthcoming.
In spite of progress, buyers are still a tough sell in this market frequently looking for move in condition properties at rock bottom prices. Putting your property in the best possible condition and pricing it competitively will go a long way to overcoming buyer objections.
Like promises, traditions are frequently meant to be broken, so don't fret about the traditional end of selling sexason. The traffic may be thinning and the restaurants may have tables available, but that doesn't mean all the buyers are gone. Just make sure they can see the beautiful summer Gulf water through your windows.
