The Market is Ripe for Sellers

When spring arrives in Cleveland there is always a buzz in the housing market, and there is a lot to buzz about.  For the first time in a long time there has been a huge reduction in homes listed for sale which means home prices will start to rise.  If you have been thinking about selling now may be a good time to get busy on a marketing plan. 

Selling a home is much more than putting a sign in the yard and advertising it for sale.  You need to think of your home as a product.  Take yourself back to when you were walking through homes prior to buying one yourself.  I’ll bet you remember a few that were cluttered and in disrepair.  How did those homes make you feel?  Do you remember how you felt when you walked into a home that was neat and clean and in good repair?  Pricing aside there is a big difference in a home that shows well and one that doesn’t.  The good news is, it costs very little to make your home neat and clean and it truly is the first step in getting a home ready to market.

Having a marketing budget is important when planning to sell your home.  It will enable you to get things done that will make the home more attractive.   Maybe some of the rooms need painting, or old worn carpeting needs to be replaced, or some of the hardwood floors need to be refinished.  Certainly buying a few pillows to add a splash of color here and there, or a well-placed picture, or vase full of springtime flowers to help make the home look cheery and welcoming.  A new shower curtain with matching towel sets hanging in the bathroom is a very nice touch.  Whatever the case, you need to think like a buyer and make sure your house appeals to a large audience.  Once a buyer walks through the door you have about 5 to 10 seconds to convince them that they want to see more.  If you are convincing enough your home will sell in record time!   

Monica Woodman

I am a realtor at Prudential Lucien Realty.

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Volume 9, Issue 8, Posted 9:37 PM, 04.16.2013