Home Selling Tips

Challenges

Selling a home can be stressful and time consuming without the right resources and information. There are plenty of practical matters that need your attention. With our guidance, you can avoid the potential hazards.

A Team Effort

Many home sellers find it advantageous to team up Franklin. Most home owners feel that it is better to entrust the sale of their biggest investment to a professional. There are a number of complexities of modern Real Estate transactions that should be considered, including access to the MLS, advertising, marketing, and the screening of buyers which are available to assist you. We know the condition of the market at the time you are selling. We will also be able to help you determine the value of your property with a Competitive Market Analysis.

Get Ready to Show

It is time now to look objectively and unemotionally at your home. Look at it no longer as your home, but as a product to be marketed. Be aware of what you can and cannot change about your home. This knowledge will allow you to concentrate on those items that will bring the highest rewards.

First Impressions

Today, most home searches start online. “online appeal” is as important as “curb appeal.”  To maximize the impact of the first impression take care to:

• Remove any junk or clutter from the yard.
• Have a clean, crisp lawn (a bit of fertilizer makes for a greener lawn).
• Trim shrubbery and hedges.
• Wash decks and porches and make sure they are stained or painted.
• Clean and paint or stain your front door.
• All exterior lights should be operational.
• Exterior windows should be clean and operational.
• Clean out gutters and downspouts.
• Make sure the garage door is closed.

Room by Room

Kitchens are under close scrutiny:
Clean the exterior of all appliances, including the stove hood filter.
Clean counter tops and cabinet faces: the shinier, the better.
Make sure it is clutter free.
Remove magnets and messages from the front of the refrigerator.
Clean the floor and consider replacing it if it is worn.
If you have ceramic tile, make sure the grout is clean and white.

Bathrooms are also extremely important:
If faucets drip, repair or replace them.
Remove stains from all fixtures.
Make sure all lights have the highest wattage that is safe for each fixture.
Put out fresh, clean towels.
Check ceramic tile, make sure the grout is clean.
Remove any mildew.
Make sure drains are clog free.
Shower doors should sparkle.

Finishing Touches

Most of the time you will have at least a couple of hours’ notice before showing your home. Before you show your home add these small but important finishing touches

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Light and Bright – Whether day or night, a lit house gives a “welcome home” impression. So turn on all the lights, indoor and outdoor. Open all curtains, shutters, and blinds to let in maximum light. Your home looks more cheerful.
Out of Sight – Prospective buyers may feel like intruders if you are home during a showing. Allow The Franklin Team the opportunity to speak freely with buyers and emphasize your home’s best features. If possible, take a walk, visit the library, go shopping or take the kids to the park. If you cannot leave, try to remain out of sight and do not accompany the buyers from room to room.
The Scent of Success – Scented sprays are too obvious and may be found offensive. For a pleasing fragrance, add a few drops of vanilla extract on a stove burner or boil water and add some cinnamon. Refrigerator cookies are quick and easy to bake, as well as lighting a scented candle prior to a showing. Both will make your home more attractive.
Waste Not – Empty the trash in the kitchen and any other waste baskets before a showing. Garbage does not send a positive message, even in small amounts.
Comfort Counts – Make sure the thermostat is set such that the house is at a comfortable temperature. Turn off the television and turn soft, melodious music on.
Pets – It is best to take your pets with you while your home is being shown. If that is not possible, at least keep them outside. Animals under foot will put a damper on a showing.

The Offer

Once an offer is made, if you intend to accept the offer, or make a counter offer, do it as soon as possible. Realize that at any time prior to accepting or countering, a buyer can withdraw their offer.When you make changes to an offer, they require written approval of all parties for the contract to be enforceable. Know that even minor changes facilitate the opportunity for either the seller or buyer to change their mind.

Closing

To put it simply the last part of the home selling process is closing. It is the time between signing the purchase contract (once an agreement on price and terms has been reached) to the day the deed is actually recorded transferring title. Once everything is signed, then escrow closes and your home is sold.