John Valenza Real Estate Services - Metro Brokers Madison

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MetroBrokers Selling and Showing Tips

Selling Tips

First impressions are the most lasting.
The first impression (curb appeal) is vital. Your lawn should be trimmed, walkways swept and the front door should be clean with a doorbell that works.

Decoration for a quicker sale.
A minor investment in paint and wallpaper will pay bigger dividends to you in the form of a better price and quicker sale.

Let the sun shine in.
Open the drapes and curtains. Clean the windows so that a prospect can see how bright and cheerful your house is. Dark and dreary rooms do not appeal to most home buying prospects.

Don't be a drip.
Fix leaky faucets; dripping water suggests faulty or warn-out plumbing (major repair bills). Discolored, rust-stained sinks are also warning signs; they should be properly cleaned and sparkling.

Little things mean a lot.
Loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers, wobbly hinges, stuck windows - all these are negative factors. Take a few minutes to check and repair all these seemingly minor flaws.

Safety first.
Keep stairways and corridors clear. Clutter is unattractive and causes accidents.

Top to Bottom.
Let prospects see the full value of your basement, attic, garage, and closets by removing junk & cartons. Rent short-term garage space if necessary.

Bathrooms sell homes.
Make bathrooms sparkle. Clean stained sinks and bowls, repair any damaged or discolored caulking around bathtubs and showers.

Showing Tips

Can you see the light?
Illumination in your home can be the "welcome sign" for every prospect. Turn on all of the exterior and interior lights, including accent & picture lights.

Avoid crowds.
Potential buyers will feel like intruders and want to hurry through your home if there are too many people around. Send the kids over to the neighbors or take a walk while your house is being shown.

Silence is golden.
When showing your house, turn down, or off, radios or television sets. Let the salesperson and buyers talk freely without having to yell over any noise.

Put Fido outside.
Dogs may be man's best friend, but not when showing your house. Keep pets out of the way, not underfoot.

This is not a social call.
Be courteous and friendly, but don't try to force conversation with potential buyers. They are there to inspect your house, not to be social. Let the salesperson do the talking.

This is not a garage sale.
Don't try to sell the potential buyers any of the furniture or furnishings that you don't want to take with you. They haven't even bought your house yet - you could foul up the sale.

Let the realtor do it.
Let our professional salespeople talk to the customer about selling price, terms, possession date and other factors. Our salespeople have been specially trained and have the experience to bring the negotiations on your house to a satisfactory conclusion.