SELLING BEFORE IT ’ S READY
SELLING QUICKLY MAY BE A HIGH PRIORITY
Some sellers insist on marketing their home before it ’ s ready . Putting a home on the market prematurely , however , can be a mistake . Rather than complete the work that will make their home more saleable , they offer to reduce the sale price to compensate buyers for shoddy conditions or they may credit money to the buyers at closing . This generates fix-up money for the buyers who take responsibility for completing repairs after closing .
These approaches work for some buyers . Most buyers though , lack the vision to imagine how a home will look in its fixed-up condition . Many buyers , particularly first-time buyers , don ’ t have any experience fixing up homes . The entire process intimidates them . Repeat buyers may have had too much experience with the process and vow to never buy another home that needs work .
In their haste to get a quick sale , some sellers jump the gun and put their home on the market while the fix-up is in progress . Notices tacked up around the house or a statement made in a flyer describe the work the sellers will complete before closing — replacing a tired-looking linoleum floor or re-carpeting a room . This strategy rarely generates the desired results .
FIRST-TIME TIP
Agents and prospective buyers remember a home the way they see it . A bright pink dining room creates a lasting impression . It ’ s difficult for most people to imagine the bright pink transformed into a stylish taupe . Also , it ’ s hard to get agents and buyers to come back to take another look after the work is completed .
You may have only one chance to sell your home — the first time the public comes to take a look . That ’ s why it ’ s best to wait until your home is in its best shape before showing it to anyone other than your own agent . Our staff can advise you on how your property should look when it hits the market . Just say the word if you would like us to provide this service .
Sellers who market their home before it ’ s ready usually wait longer for a sale and sell for less than if they had done the fix-up work first . It defeats the purpose of selling quickly for a good price .
12 | THE SELLER ’ S EDGE | A GUIDE TO SELLING YOUR HOME