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Marketing and Advertising

There are many ways to market and advertise your property these days such as Multiple Listing Service, Signs, Classified Ads, Open Houses, Real Estate Websites, Flyers, etc. Your Realtor should employ a wide variety of marketing techniques. You also want to select a Realtor that is Full Time and Experienced and committed to selling your property; they should be readily available for every phone call from a perspective buyer. Most contacts are made during business hours and weekends, so verify that they are a full time Broker and will be trying to sell your home during these hours.

Prequalify The Buyers

It is important to be able to distinguish realistic potential buyers from mere window shoppers.Typically, a real estate agent should investigate a potential buyer’s credit rating, savings, and purchasing power. This will help keep you from wasting your time marketing towards the wrong people. Often times people who do not come through a Realtor, are several months away from buying, and are more interested in browsing the market than actually making a purchase. Many times they are not prepared to make a purchase because they have not sold their home yet, are not financially prepared, or they may even be unsure as to whether they want to relocate or not.

Sellers Page

Experienced real estate agents often cost the same as brand new agents. There is a greater probability the experienced agent may be able to fetch you a little higher price for your home, in less time with fewer hassles. There's know doubt that over the years an experienced agent has picked up a few tricks along the way. We often joke that we could write a book about all the bizarre and unusual things that have happened. All these things make for a better agent, who can handle almost anything along the way.

Price Your Property Right

It is critical the right price is placed on the property. Anybody selling a product obviously desires to get the most money possible for that product. Placing an excessively high price on a property often proves to be counteractive to this cause. Before you set your price you should go over all the area sales and comparables in that area. Have your agent prepare this for you and get a copy to look over yourself. Most agents will already have figured the "good market" in their listing price suggestion. A high listing price will often cause prospective buyers to anticipate more than what you have to offer, or even cause them to lose interest before they even view your property. As a result, overpriced properties have a tendency to take an unusual amount of time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price.

In our local Canandaigua Area, the market's been good. But you see several listings (especially FSBO) that are way over priced and they just sit there. Ask an honest price and it will sell fairly quickly.Look out for Real estate agents just trying to get the listing. Don't always go with the highest listing suggestion.

Get several Realtors opinions. Make sure they back up they're info with comparable sales that match your homes criteria. Also, family and friends have the best intentions with their suggested pricing. Listen to your local Agent save a lot of heartache! A relative in California who thought he was "in the business", advised his parents who were selling their home, to ask $35,000 more than the NY agent advised because he heard "NY was in a seller's market".

(NY seller's market is much different than California's) Well over a year and 1/2 later and 2 agents later, the home sold for exactly what the first agent told them to sell it for!

Kow Your Rights and Responsibilities

It is of the utmost importance that you stay well informed of the details of your real estate contract. Real estate contracts can often be very complex and confusing, and they are legally binding documents. It is important that you know what you are responsible for before signing the contract. Not being familiar with your contract could cost you hundreds, or even thousands of dollars on repairs and/or inspections.

Prepare Your Home For Sale

The home needs to be made a presentable and as pleasant as possible when attempting to sell to prospective buyers. Be sure to make any necessary repairs and clean. A dirty home in need repairs will lower the value of your home and even turn away some buyers. Check out our Sellers Checklist below.

Prepare Your Home A Seller's Checklist: General Checklist

Freshen things up

• Keep it light and bright
• Remove clutter
• Clean and polish door hardware and handrails
• Clean wall switches and outlet covers
• Clean and tidy basement and attic storage
• Add plants and flowers throughout the house

House Exterior

• Sealed driveway
• Weed-free driveway and walkways
• Healthy, weed-free, and trimmed lawn
• Trees and shrubs trimmed
• Wash front steps and porch
• Check front doorbell and bell light
• Clean or replace welcome mat
• Repair and repaint fences and gates
• Clean gutters and downspouts
• Clean or repaint siding
• Wash windows and screens
• Clean shutters

Living, Family, Dining Rooms,Bedrooms

• Repaint or touch up walls, ceiling and trim
• Repair or replace damaged moulding
• Clean and wax hardwood and vinyl floors
• Shampoo carpet
• Clean drapes and bedspread
• Clean out all closets
• Put away all clothing

Bathrooms

• Paint or wallpaper using light colors
• Scrub tile, bleach, and repair grout
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
• Clean floor
• Clean out medicine cabinet
• Seal around tubs and showers
• Replace old toilet seats
• Replace shower window curtains
• Put out a set of color coordinated bath linens

Kitchen and Laundry

• Paint or wallpaper walls and ceiling with light color
• Clean floor
• Clean cabinets and appliances
• Clean out refrigerator and wash interior
• Empty dishwasher and clean around controls
• Check operation of all appliances
• Arrange and clean food storage areas
• Clean out cabinets and drawers
• Neatly display dishes in cabinets
• Clear clutter from counter tops
• Check to see that drawers/doors open easily
• Wash or replace curtains

Garage

Leave for Showings

It is common practice for the seller not to be home when the buyers are viewing the property. The buyer may feel distracted and uncomfortable with thoroughly inspecting the property when the seller is present. Buying a home can be an emotional and difficult decision. So it is normally a good idea not to pressure or negotiate with prospective buyers while they are viewing your property. It is best to be hospitable and warm.

Be helpful and receptive to any questions they may have.

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