_{Tips For Selling}

Having a toolbox of tips from an experienced agent helps make the whole process of selling easier.

Pricing Your Home: The first step in pricing your home is a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA). A CMA compares your home to other comparable properties in and around your neighborhood. The CMA is the starting point for the pricing decision.

Based on the information contained in the CMA and other selling factors, Lu will provide you with a price range of where your property should fall, discuss where she sees your house within that range, and ultimately make a pricing recommendation. Keep in mind that price initially set too high can be as detrimental as a price set too low. Statistics show that your property will generate the most attention and showings in the first two weeks it’s on the market. If the asking price is too high, buyers will dismiss your home in favor of another. By the time you decide to lower the price, it may be too late. Buyers will have moved on and interest will have waned.

Conversely, under-pricing can raise questions in buyer’s minds that there may be problems with the property, such as major repairs needed, mold, neighborhood issues, etc. But worst of all, under-pricing leaves money on the table that should be in your pocket! At the end of the day Lu provides you information and her professional opinion, but the final pricing decision is ultimately yours.

Since the pricing decision is the single most important step in the listing process, it is paramount that you trust who you work with. Lu knows the homes, the neighborhoods, the trends, the buyers and the selling strategies.

Condition of Property: The better your home’s condition, the greater its appeal, the faster it will sell, and the more money it will sell for. Buyers can quickly be turned off by things that could have been easily fixed. This is especially true in a “buyer’s market.” Don’t discount the impact of obvious imperfections. Stains, odors, worn carpeting, bold colors, etc. can significantly influence a buyer’s perception, even if the property is perfect everywhere else. Correcting minor and/or cosmetic defects prior to selling your home can help avoid losing potential buyers.

The first impression is extremely important when selling your home. The first impression starts when a potential buyer drives up to the property. Is the lawn mowed? Does the landscaping compliment the home? Does the home have “curb appeal”?

A great first impression on the outside should lead a buyer through the front door excited about what awaits next. There are many quick, easy, and inexpensive things that can be done to ensure a buyer leaves your home with a great first impression:

• _{The lawn should be moved and landscaping trimmed. Mowing, pruning, weeding and trimming can contribute greatly to the overall first impression.}
• _{Make sure your home is neat and clean. This can make all the difference in the world. Pay special attention to the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms, since these are areas where buyers tend to focus.}
• _{Eliminate clutter! Over time clutter seems to collect everywhere, in drawers, on counters, in closets, garages, basements, etc. It can consist of rarely worn clothes, excess furniture, school papers, knick-knacks, or simply just “stuff.” Clutter can dramatically affect how buyers perceive your home. A home with an abundance of storage space can appear smaller because of clutter.}
• _{The sense of smell and sound can greatly influence a home’s appeal. Pleasant aromas, such as fresh baked chocolate chip cookies, can help make a house feel more like a home. In addition, offensive or strong odors (pets, tobacco, etc.) will negatively affect a buyer’s perception. Soft background music can also influence buyers. These small touches can make a big difference!}