Marketing Your Home to Sell Part 2

In my prior post I discussed the relationship you need to have with your REALTOR® and information you should be prepared to disclose etc. when listing you home for sale. The following are some other issues that when addressed openly and honestly, will assist your REALTOR® in effectively marketing your property to obtain the best possible price and withion a reasonable length of time.
It's a good idea to have information on hand that will give the REALTOR® an idea of the costs of running your home -- annual heating bills, along with documentation of any recent major repairs or upgrades -- such as a new roof or new wiring or plumbing. These can be very effective marketing tools.
Your REALTOR® will also tell you that an open house can be another effective marketing tool. While some homeowners are adverse to this idea, it's one you should discuss with your REALTOR® if you really want your home to receive maximum exposure to interested buyers. During an open house or prearranged showings, it's a good idea to make sure that you and any other members of your family (including pets) are absent. Many buyers are intimidated by the presence of homeowners and tend to rush through a home as a result.
Before any showing or open house, it's imperative to make sure your home is clean and uncluttered -- both inside and out. Get rid of junk (don't forget the garage) and any unpleasant odours from smoke, cooking or pets. A neat exterior is inviting and a clean and neat interior just makes good, plain marketing sense. Consider having your home painted. It's a relatively inexpensive way to show it in its best light.
Financing is another area where you may be able to help market your home more effectively. You can make your home more attractive to some purchasers by taking back a mortgage. It's an excellent marketing tool, especially if you're trading down to a less expensive home.
Flexibility on the closing date is another important factor in the successful marketing of a home. Real problems can arise when vendors and purchasers can't agree on a closing date. Again, it's important to work with your REALTOR® and listen to suggestions. Some deals are lost simply because the vendor and purchaser can't agree on a closing date.
Stay Informed. Your REALTOR® should keep you informed by following up after each showing and providing you with a weekly update on how the marketing of your home is progressing. By the same token, if you have any questions or ideas, don't hesitate to share these with your REALTOR®.
Keep in mind that with current market conditions, there is a lot of competition amongst sellers out there to find a suitable and willing buyer. For three consecutive years now, the number of listings that have "expired" in the local market exceeds the number that have "sold." You'll find that a team effort, combined with a realistic approach will help you market your home much more effectively, yielding a potentially higher selling price and in a reasonable amount of time, thus allowing you to move on with your other plans. I have always believed that hard work and a little extra effort brings good luck! This also applies when selling your home.