Help your Lake Tahoe or Truckee home smile a “welcome” to buyers
- First impressions are lasting. The front door greets the prospect. Make sure it’s fresh, clean, and scrubbed looking. Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse.
- Decorate for a quick sale. Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal. An investment in fresh paint, clean carpets and new kitchen wallpaper will pay dividends.
- Let the sun shine in. Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your home can be.
- Fix that faucet. Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.
- Repairs can make a big difference. Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinets, drawers and other minor flaws detract from the home value. Have them fixed.
- Neat closets look bigger. Well-ordered closets show that space is ample.
- Bathrooms help sell homes. Check and repair caulking in bathtubs and showers. Make your bathrooms sparkle!
- Arrange bedrooms neatly. Remove excess furniture, use attractive bedspreads, and freshly laundered curtains.
- Can you see the light. The potential buyer will feel a glowing warmth when you turn on all your lights for an evening inspection.
When your real estate agent shows your home…
- Use your agent. Show your home to prospective customers only by appointment through your agent. Your cooperation will be appreciated and will help close the sale more quickly.
- Three’s a crowd. Avoid having too many people present during inspections. The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
- Music is mellow. But not when showing a house. Turn off the blaring television or radio. Let the salesman and buyer talk, free of disturbances.
- Pets underfoot? Keep them out of the way- preferably out of the house.
- Silence is golden. Be courteous but don’t force conversation with the potential buyer. He or She wants to inspect the house- not pay a social call.
- Be it ever so humble. Never apologize for the appearance of your home. After all, it has been lived in. Let the trained salesperson answer any objections. They’re good at it.
- In the background. The salesperson knows the buyers requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home when you don’t tag along.
- A word to the wise. Let your realtor discuss price terms, possession and other factors with the customer. The realtor is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.
- Maximize your profit. Your professional realtor is a trained expert. Your realtor can help you get the best price for your home.