| If you really need to sell a house fast, especially | | | | Interest and Desire are, or can be, pretty closely |
| now, it may look as difficult as brain surgery or | | | | related. The house, unlike the sign, should be clean, |
| winning the lottery. Actually it is as simple as four | | | | neat, uncluttered. The front yard and the front of |
| little letters, A. I. D. A., and you can do it yourself. | | | | the house-especially the front door-should be |
| You can, but you may not want to. Let's see! | | | | attractive and inviting. This is your first impression |
| A.I.D.A. is a staple of the advertising industry and | | | | as someone arrives to look at the house. |
| it tells how to sell everything from executive jets | | | | If you have repair problems, you have to make a |
| to flats to let. It means Attention, Interest, Desire | | | | decision. To repair or not to repair. Generally, I |
| and Action. | | | | would say do not repair and DO disclose. If you |
| Attention, and the first thing you must do to sell | | | | REALLY need a new roof, I would say so in the |
| your house fast yourself it to get the attention of | | | | advertisement. Probably not the absolute first |
| someone who can be interested in buying your | | | | word in the ad. Tell them that it is a house and tell |
| house and has the ability to make the purchase. | | | | them something good about it first. Remember |
| Frankly that is easy today and cheap. Craigslist will | | | | you do have to get their attention, FIRST. |
| put your house that is for sale in front of a | | | | Neat, clean, uncluttered, spot paint here and there. |
| gazillion people, many of which have the means to | | | | But do not fix things that need major repair. |
| make the purchase and the cost of the ad is | | | | Unless you are one of the pros, you will probably |
| your time to put the listing on the site. If you are | | | | not be able to get out of the deal the extra |
| scared of the technology involved in using | | | | money you put in to do the repairs. And do not |
| Craigslist, simply look at how many people are | | | | do any serious redecorating. Reason? The next |
| doing it who don't have a master's degree from | | | | guy will NOT have your taste, no matter how |
| M.I.T. It's easy! | | | | good your taste may be. |
| Still scared? Go to and hire someone in a third | | | | Know honestly what your house is worth. Check |
| world country who very well may have a | | | | and other websites for an idea and realize it is no |
| masters degree in electrical engineering who will | | | | more than that. Just an idea, but it is a place to |
| post your advertisements on Craigslist and fifty | | | | start. Have a couple of Realtors come to give |
| other sites you never heard of and do it all for $5 | | | | you a presentation and see what they think it is |
| an hour. | | | | worth and what cheap fix up ideas they suggest. |
| Combine that with the ultimate of high tech. Put a | | | | But I would not give them the exclusive right to |
| sign in your yard. (My wife says I have to say | | | | sell the house (called a listing agreement). Sign |
| "just kidding" cause someone will think, I think | | | | nothing. At least not at this time. |
| signs are high tech) Let people know the house is | | | | I would look at the houses around you that are |
| for sale. Make the sign so ugly you teenage kids | | | | for sale. What condition are they in and what is |
| are ashamed of the sign and a Realtor offers to | | | | the asking price? In order for A.I.D.A. to work, |
| give you a pretty sign for FREE. Ugly is GOOD. It | | | | you need to be brutally aware of what you are |
| makes it look like you are motivated and are | | | | trying to sell and what the competition has to |
| approachable. | | | | offer. |