Getting Your Home Ready to Sell

Hopefully the housing market can have a great turnaround as the Minnesota Twins have.  We went to the Saturday game against the Padres.  The fan electricity was contagious even in the rain.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if the housing market changed like this for the positive?

It is no surprise that selling a home in the current market can feel almost impossible.  Previously owned homes are competing with flipped properties, foreclosed homes, short sales and shiny new construction.  Selling your home is very similar to dating where first impressions are imparative and can be scary.  Imagine walking into a well-lit steakhouse looking around for your blind date that was instructed to meet you there by your mom's bridge partner.  You find your date at the bar and s/he is abolutely stunning, friendly smile, nicely dressed and has a caring look.....that is what your home needs to be.  Flip side: walk into a seedy bar by the coal factory with a flickering bar sign with half the letters missing.  Your blind date is barely hanging onto the barstool when your eyes meet your dates half-opened, bloodshot eyes.  Your date is three sheets in the wind, unkept, smells like a poorly flowing stagnant creek, and has a half eaten cheese curd carefully tangled into their hair.  Your home should never be near this condition when selling your home.  Do you think your home will get a second date/showing after the initial horrific meeting?  Chances are slim to none.  Believe it or not.....this is more common than you think. 

The first three weeks your home is on the market is when to expect the most buyer traffic with the highest chance of getting more money for your home.   Your home is going to be plastered all over the internet with photos so if your home appears to be a disaster area, you will be isolating the majority of your buyers and attracting those that are looking to buy your home for a buck or two.  This is going out on a limb but guessing you want buyers in your home and want the most money in your pocket?!  Call me crazy.....

I will be posting strategies and tips in the upcoming weeks to get your home ready to sell, preparing for open house, and much more.  The tidbits will be broken down into specific areas and rooms inside and outside your home.  FYI: I'm not a professional interior designer, carpenter, electrician, etc but can offer FREE advice.  Not too shabby. 

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