| Selling your home requires some thought and a | | | | that will limit a buyer's imagination. You want them |
| clear plan of action. Here are five things to | | | | to be able to envision themselves in your home. |
| consider when you're getting ready to sell your | | | | Once you've packed all personal knickknacks, take |
| home: | | | | a look at your house from a stranger's |
| 1) Know Your Buyers | | | | perspective. Then address whatever repairs will |
| Are most of the homes in your neighborhood | | | | make your home appeal to a stranger by either |
| being bought by first-time or move-up buyers? | | | | doing the work yourself or having it done |
| Depending on which group will be looking at your | | | | professionally. |
| home, you'll want to do the things that will make | | | | 4) Stage Your Home |
| your home appealing to those buyers. | | | | The staging of your home can be the most fun |
| First-time buyers are hoping to gain more control | | | | part of the selling process. If any interior space |
| of their environment by making the move from | | | | feels too empty, add plants to bring nature |
| renter to homeowner. Their psychological needs | | | | indoors. Delicate green ferns, spiky grey foliage, |
| include such things as safety and security, | | | | and cut flowers will support the emotional |
| comfort, and control of their living space. | | | | atmosphere you're trying to create for potential |
| Moving-up buyers want those things, too, of | | | | buyers. You can also support the buyer's sense of |
| course, but they're generally looking for more | | | | smell by spraying a mixture of natural essential |
| room and increased prestige. Regardless of which | | | | oils and water into the air. |
| group is buying homes in your area, you'll want to | | | | 5) Make Showing a Joy for Buyers |
| concentrate your improvement efforts toward | | | | When you show your home to potential buyers, |
| attracting them. | | | | you want the experience to be as enjoyable as |
| 2) Know Your Selling Season | | | | possible. For the sake of safety, it's wise to have |
| The time of year you'll be marketing your home | | | | someone with you when you're showing your |
| will dictate your decorating choices and color | | | | home, but always send any small children or |
| scheme. Use cool colors like blue, green, and grey | | | | annoying pets to a friend's house until potential |
| when selling in spring and summer, and warm | | | | buyers have gone. |
| colors like yellow, red, maroon if you'll be | | | | Taking the time to work out a selling strategy, |
| marketing your home in the fall and winter. | | | | and then following these five simple, but |
| Envision your final product as either a cooling | | | | important, steps can help sell your home faster, |
| desert oasis or a warm haven, depending upon | | | | and for substantially more money. |
| the selling season. | | | | (c) Copyright 2004, Jeanette J. Fisher. All rights |
| 3) Clean up, Fix up | | | | reserved. |
| Get rid of all non-essential clutter in your home | | | | |