Dear REALTOR: I'm Thinking Of Selling, What Do I Need To Do To Get My House Ready?
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Seller:
This is a question we hear frequently from potential clients and normally it's followed by something like "I want to sell but I don't want to change my lifestyle while I'm still living here". This is where you will find that it's not our job to tell you what you want to hear, but rather what it's going to take to get the job done. This is where you will find out whether you really want to work with us or not. This is also where we determine if you're really serious and whether or not we want to be in charge of marketing your home.
Have you ever been to an model home in a subdivision or perhaps looked at luxury home magazines and drooled over the properties, I'm betting you coo'd over the well manicured lawns, freshly painted walls and professional staging. Well guess what? The moment you put your home on the market you are going to be living in a model home. We'll be coming in to take professional marketing shots. When we do your kitchen and bath countertops will need to be completely clear of clutter including small appliances, shampoos, cleansers, etc. Personal pictures, collectibles and expensive art pieces should be packed away ready for your move. Closets and cupboards should be neat and tidy. There should be bulbs in all lamps and overhead lights. The garage should be cleaned and organized and this is just the beginning!
Some agents will be done when they stick the sign in the yard and hang the lockbox. However for us, like you, this is just the beginning. Once the pictures are taken (and there will be A LOT) they must be proofed and the best ones selected for your marketing. We have at least a dozen different marketing sites to which the property information and pictures must be uploaded. (Due to our agreement with these websites, your information will be syndicated out to approximately 500 other sites.) Virtuals tours will be created and posted. Social media websites will be blasted. Flyers will be created. Emails will be sent to agents and potential buyers. From here we answer inquiries, track website hits and stats and continue to make sure your property comes up in buyer searches. It's what we're trained for. It's what sets us apart.
So, if you're ready to do your part then we are ready to do ours. If you're not sure, that's ok too. It's a commitment for both of us. If you have more questions, please post them in the comments below. If you're ready to get started then give us a call at either 828-361-9783 or 828-361-9419.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Billl and Cyndi
PS - If you're an agent, please feel free to share some of YOUR tips too!