Susan Hilton College Station Real Estate
Realtor & Vice President of Sales
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10 Rules of Selling a House in College Station Texas
August 19th, 2008 Categories: Selling Real Estate
Rule #1 – NO PETS Allowed!
- Pets, litter boxes,food bowls, pet beds…. they all need to be removed. Sending pets to be boarded during the marketing and sales period is best.
Rule #2 – TURN THE MUSIC DOWN!
- Have a little background music playing to set the mood? Turn it down! Agents will usually not hunt for the controls to turn the music down so please keep it turned down low.
Rule #3 – NO Smoking!
- Non smokers can’t stand the smell of smoke. Even smokers don’t want to purchase a home that already has the smell of smoke.
But Susan – I smoke – now what? Sorry but if you want the highest possible price for your home, now is the time to give up smoking. I suggest no smoking on the back porch either. The smell follows you around and it WILL affect the sales price of your home.
Rule #4 – Three’s a Crowd & You are the Crowd!
- Buyers want to really look at the house. They need to be relaxed to really experience the home. They need to be able to talk honestly about things they like or don’t like. They can’t do that if you are there. Most people are afraid they will either hurt the seller’s feelings or give away their marketing position. Either way they rush through the showing and usually move on to something else.
Rule #5 – SHHHHHH!
- If you have to be a the property during a showing – SHHHH! Let the agent talk – not you.
Rule #6 – Sniff!!!
- What do you smell? Smell is an important first impression. Cook something warm and inviting like cookies or pie or even a plate of cornmeal heated in the oven. The goal is that the aroma will make the buyer feel welcome.
Rule #7 – Maintenance, Taxes and Utility Records Available
- Put together a Home Binder with a/c and heat maintenance records, water bills, utility bills, (12 months) and repair bills (e.g. when was the a/c serviced, roof replaced, new dishwasher, etc.)
Rule #8 – LET ME IN!
- When there is a showing make sure the lockbox is on the porch, the key is in it and you are gone. When an agent calls to set an appointment say YES!!!
Rule #9 – You Want WHAT for the house?
- Listen to your agent about what the property is worth. I know it may be worth more to you – you love it. But, what it is worth on the open market is decided by prudent buyers. As agents, we see many prudent buyers each week who rule out over priced homes without even viewing them. Be realistic and lets get you the highest possible price NOW!
Rule #9 – Spend a Little & Make a Lot!
- Spend just a bit as your agent suggests and spruce up your home. Make those minor cosmetic repairs, paint a room or two, clean the carpet, remove the extra furniture, put the plant at the front door, paint the front door, take the frog collection off the shelves…… Listen to your REALTOR!
Rule #10 – CHOOSE A REALTOR!
- Choosing the right agent is such an important part of the process. There are many agents that will do a good job for you but search for the one that will do a GREAT job. Look for a market leader, an agent from an office with extensive training, an office with a strong broker, one with great office support, signage, significant Internet presence, open Saturday and Sunday and someone you think you can really work with. And choose an agent that uses a Seller Service Pledge and a Buyer Service Pledge so you have in writing what the agent will be doing for you and a guarantee that they will actually do it. (Century 21 Agents will be glad to provide you a copy!)
Other Articles You May Want to Read –
Susan Hilton – Realtor & Sales Trainer for Century 21 Beal
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Certainly excellent advice Susan, especially picking a good Realtor!
Good advice, a bit harsh on the smoking and pet stuff..
http://www.buyaggieland.com PS: if your going to keep the pet in the home, (I understand: they are family), you need to have the house clean clean with no “pet odor”
If you want a pet friendly Realtor who doesnt mind if you smoke outside call Jeffrey Leatherwood at 979-255-2788
May be hard on pets and smokers but it is important that people know how much those two things cost when selling. I have a dog too and know that the pet will cause me to sell for less than if he was not there!
Susan,
Great list of tips for selling a home.
Pets are a big hurdle because even though people love their pets it doesn’t mean they will love yours.
The liability risks increase when pets are in the house. We sell houses with pets all the time but put yourself in the buyers shoes. Remember this parody of the train crossing, Stop, Look and Sniff.
Brenda – Thanks for the comment! I’m with you on it –
I LOVE my pet too! My dog is an important part of our family but I also know others will find him not as appealing when they are ready to purchase.