| Is it a buyer's market? We've all read it; more homes | | | | What looks great and what doesn't. Correct/change |
| on the market and homes remaining on the market | | | | all that doesn't including the yard, walkway, front |
| longer. But prices are in conflict. I've read an equal | | | | door, front door hardware, roof, gutters, driveway, |
| number of reports that prices are down, vs. prices | | | | garage door. Whatever needs painting, have painted. |
| are holding and in some areas even rising. | | | | Whatever needs fixing, or cleaning, or landscaped, |
| So if you're interested in selling your home, even if | | | | just do it. 2) Walk the side and rear yards. Is there a |
| prices are holding, you might ask, "How will I get my | | | | broken down tool shed? Remove it! Does the rear |
| house to sell knowing there is a lot of competition?" | | | | patio or porch need painting, paint it. Are the rear and |
| There is no stock answer, but you certainly can | | | | side yards mowed, watered, looking great? If not, |
| improve your odds. It's a fair adage to say that really | | | | you know what to do. |
| nice looking and functioning homes, priced fairly, will | | | | Now lets walk through the home using the front |
| always sell. They will. | | | | door. Stop, and register what your first impression is. |
| Understand we are just talking about family home | | | | Is your eye drawn to paint that is not neutral? Are |
| buyers, not investor buyers, not bottom dwellers, | | | | there any dings in the walls? The experts here in the |
| not the home buyer who is looking to pinch pennies | | | | southwest, especially Phoenix and Ahwatukee, say |
| and is looking for a "fix-up". Okay, so we are going to | | | | even though painting is expensive, it will pay you |
| market your home to the average, two adult and 2.3 | | | | back in getting your home sold more quickly. Repair |
| child family. | | | | all minor flaws. Even if your eyes were not drawn to |
| First, especially with a lot of competition this make | | | | them, buyer's eyes will be. That was they easy part. |
| believe family is going to be looking for a house that | | | | Now take down all family photos, or family art work. |
| is "move-in" ready. The less they have to do, to | | | | Buyer's want to picture there own family here, not |
| picture themselves living and enjoying your house, | | | | yours. |
| the better chance you have that they will make you | | | | Now, de-clutter, de-clutter, de-clutter! Remove all |
| an offer. Understand that sentence. | | | | excess, non used items. Rent a storage space and |
| You want to get your home into condition that a | | | | pack them up and put them away ready for your |
| buyer says to himself, "all I have to do is move in | | | | own move. Also, if you are going to list your home |
| the furniture". The Phoenix MLS is loaded with homes | | | | with me in the Phoenix, MLS, pack or sell excess |
| these days so the more your home looks like it | | | | furniture so your rooms will look open and |
| came out of Homes and Gardens magazine, the | | | | comfortable. |
| more the buyer is going to like it. | | | | Last, clean the kitchen, refrigerator, and bathroom |
| So, whether you live in Phoenix, Ahwatukee, | | | | and make them like brand new as best you can. |
| Chandler, Gilbert or Tempe, or some other part of | | | | If you do these things, where ever your home is, |
| the country do the following. 1) Stand across the | | | | Phoenix, or Chandler or Ahwatukee, it will get more |
| street and look at your home with a buyer's eye. | | | | attention than the competition. |