Selling yourself; I mean your house

When you get to play the part of "seller" in a real estate transaction, it probably means that some life-changing event has or is about to occur. This is why houses go on market; new jobs in a new place, upgrading to a new neighborhood, for example. It can be a rather emotional decision, fraught with conflicting sentiments: "this has been our family home for 5 (or 20) years, why are we doing this!?"

Well, once the decision is made, you may as well insure the best price possible for your life-long investment. This is the time to do a little mental exercise; you must be your home’s best advocate, and sweep out the door all the negative thoughts that typically invade your thoughts about your own place: "Oh, no one will really want this kitchen with its narrow doorways" etc, etc. You must start by believing in your own product. Then you must make your product attractive to others, (those potential buyers) by writing a plan of attack that is not unlike a business plan—after all, this is a business transaction, isn’t it? Let’s look at a sample plan, a framework for action:

Curb Appeal: how your property looks from the street. Very important. Buyers often form their first impressions right here. They may ask themselves,”is this a place I want to come home to after work each night? Or does the appeal of this place match my expectations of my standing in life?

If the paint is peeling from the siding and the windows are dingy and a rain gutter is hanging across the front door, maybe not. Maybe it looks more like the Addams family is in residence, a great house for Halloween. This is the place to start. Don’t put on an addition just now, not if your sale plans are imminent. No, think cosmetic. Think relatively inexpensive improvements. Always balance the cost of contemplated improvements against potential gain. A one thousand dollar paint job could guarantee you several times that in sale price gain (because of increased appeal and attention) while a fifteen thousand dollar in-ground pool may not even pay for itself. Spend carefully. Think how you would evaluate your own property from the street as a new buyer: In short, basic landscaping, plantings, walkways, lighting, paint, doors and windows. How about an inexpensive pot of colorful mums by the front porch, as people enter?

Inside: OK a little more room for discussion here but to keep on point, do those things that elevate the appeal economically; filling cracks, refreshing paint, basic cleaning. Buyers don’t really want to see your stuff around—they want to picture their stuff in place! Which brings us to clutter. This is a perfect time to do the major spring cleaning you never got around to. Hey, it can be fun, at least satisfying to rid yourself of way too many objects. And buyers will see the lines of your house more clearly; everyone will breathe more easily. Let the sunlight in on the fresh paint. Estate sale companies will come in and, for a portion of sales, hold a two-day organized and advertised sale to move your unwanted possessions. Other things can be donated to churches or charity for tax benefit! Ask your accountant. Maybe you could rent a storage unit until you move, to hold things you still want but don’t want in the way for the sale. And don’t forget to mention that unused "junk" room as an extra bedroom, to demonstrate spaciousness

It used to be said that the best way to win over buyers at an open house was to leave a batch of cookies baking in the oven. Not a bad idea. Use your imagination and give your potential buyers the feel of a cozy home they can picture themselves relaxing in, just like you did all those years. Isn’t this the point after all?