Real Estate Secrets You Don’t Want to Miss
When it comes to understanding the real estate business, sellers can feel a bit out of the loop at times. It can feel as if you’ve missed out on an inside joke or like you’ve misinterpreted a foreign language – like everyone around you must know something that you don’t. If you’re talking about industry secrets and tricks of the trade, you might be right. That’s why you hire a Realtor in the first place. It’s our expertise that makes us such an asset to you. It is our job to guide a transaction, to take the hassle off of your hands, and to ensure your property fetches the best possible price in the shortest time span.
Well, we’re here to break down the mystery, revealing some of the best-kept secrets from the real estate industry. From staging your home to reading the fine print, we’ve got you covered. Take a look:
Don’t Empty Rooms Before Showing
Empty rooms can make a home feel sterile and cold, and without furniture, it’s hard for buyers to get a true sense of a space’s potential. It’s better to leave furniture in place. You should, however, remove any items that will prevent house hunters from imagining their own family living there. Examples include family photos, monogrammed items, and welcome signs that display your family’s last name.
Messes Might Not Matter that Much
You read that right. If you get a call saying that an interested buyer wants to see your home in 10 minutes, don’t turn them away. Show them your home even if it’s a bit out of sorts, because these last-minute types are often more impulsive when it comes to decision making. Of course, you know what that means: they may just put in an offer on the spot!
Clean Off Your Countertops
Yes, we did just say that messes aren’t that big of a deal. However, while clutter in other parts of a home may be more acceptable, always be sure to declutter counters. Buyers love to see plenty of counter space, and they want it to be clean and open.
The Right Smell Can Make All the Difference
While interested buyers certainly want to walk into a clean and fresh smelling home, they don’t want to be bombarded with the latest lavender or pine scented air fresheners. Whether a plug-in or spray, these are just too overwhelming and are a big turn-off. Instead, opt for comforting, freshly-baked scents (like cinnamon apple, for example), and put some cookies in the oven just before a showing.
Don’t Give Too Much Push-Back on a Low Offer
This might seem counter-intuitive, but you may actually have a better chance of selling your home to this low-baller than the chance you would take searching for a whole new interested party. Remember, you can still negotiate. With knowledge of the local market, which is something your agent should bring to the table, negotiations can be a breeze.
Read EVERYTHING Before You Sign a Contract
Always read every single line in your listing or buyer’s contract, carefully. Sellers are often surprised when unexpected fees pop up, when they were in the fine print the whole time. Of course, an honest and reputable real estate agent will ensure that you are very aware of what you are signing, so be sure to do your homework on the agent you choose.
At the end of the day, you should be able to rely upon your agent’s knowledge of the industry and the local market. You shouldn’t have to go digging for tips on how to sell your home or what you can do to increase its value. If you’re in Chicago or the surrounding suburbs, give us a call, and let us do that for you.
At Eric Booth Realty, we work hard to ensure that our clients get the best results, and we will walk you through every step of the way.
