IN Ross Township Spring 2020 | Page 19

INDUSTRY INSIGHT SELLING YOUR HOME SPONSORED CONTENT Let the Selling Season Begin… are you Ready? I f you are planning on putting your home on the market this spring, it’s time to get cracking! Homes sell faster and for more money when they are “show ready.” If you were going to sell your car you would detail it, so why would it be any different with selling your home? I tell all my clients that it’s extremely important to decide what your real estate goals are and then prepare the house accordingly. If your goal is to get top dollar for your home, make sure your property is in top condition. You want your home to appear fresh and move-in ready. This also means the house is clean as a bell, with walls painted a neutral color (but not white) and flooring in good, if not great, condition. You will also want to make sure that your furnace has been recently serviced and that your appliances are in better-than-average condition. If you are a smoker or have pets, it is critical to get all the smells removed from the home. This might mean taking the extra step of having the ductwork cleaned and sanitized. Many buyers will immediately walk out of a home that has odors. I have a stager on staff to assist with getting houses show-ready, which I provide as a service for my clients. Many sellers don’t understand how to effectively declutter a home and how to position the furniture and belongings in a way that is pleasing to prospective buyers. It’s also important to spend time preparing the exterior and yard. If your house is dirty, give it a good power wash. You will want to do the same with a deck and patio. Make sure your outdoor elements complement the property. Trim back overgrown shrubs and freshly mulch your beds if possible. Pay close attention to the front door and the front porch. These areas should sparkle. This is the first impression of the home and buyers will be looking around as their agent opens the door. Keep in mind that many buyers put most of their savings into buying their new home. They will not have a lot of extra money to purchase new appliances or make home repairs. I have heard time and time again buyers commenting on how perfect a home is because they won’t need to worry about replacing items in the near term. If you don’t have the time, energy, desire or resources to get the house in tip-top shape, then you will most likely attract someone who is either an investor or a buyer who is looking for a fixer upper. Either direction you move is fine, but make sure your price point matches the condition of the property. An experienced, qualified Realtor can be great at marketing and negotiating, but can’t magically produce buyers for an overpriced home. Make sure that your Realtor invests in selling your property, including professional photographs, direct marketing pieces, online advertising and holding open houses. As always, I have enjoyed sharing my real estate tips with you! Please contact me for a free market analysis and an in- home value consultation. If you are planning to sell your current home and purchase a new home, please be aware of my Loyalty Program. Through this program. you will qualify to receive a 25% buyer’s commission rebate when you purchase your new home if I am used to sell your current home. If you would like to receive a report that shows what various home improvements cost versus the value they add to your home, please let me know and I will email you a digital copy. Dawn Bierker RE/MAX 360 Realty: Working hard to assist you in achieving your real estate goals. I am proudly a Homes for Heroes affiliate that can offer you savings that are better than any other program of its kind. If you are active Military, a Veteran, work in Health Care, First Responder, Teacher, Fire Fighter, or Police Person YOU QUALIFY! These benefits are unparalleled and it’s my way of saying thank you and giving back to all the people who work for our community and our country. Reach out to me directly to learn more about the program. You will be happy you did! www.bierkergroup.com Office 412.347.6055 Cell 412.657.1136 [email protected] Call me Today for all of your Real Estate Needs! 412-657-1136 | [email protected] ROSS TOWNSHIP ❘ SPRING 2020 17