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Whether you’re making a job change, retiring, need a bigger house, or just need a change in scenery, you want to get the most money for your house, with the right terms and in the shortest amount of time possible.  You may think selling a home is easy, but ask yourself this … How many houses did you look at before you bought the one you now own?  How many other people do you suppose went through those same homes before a buyer was found?

You may think that the first person who walks through your door will fall in love with your place. A Triwood Agent can save you money and help you get more for your home than you can by selling it yourself.  After all, that is what we are trained to do.

Your home is one of the most valuable possessions you will ever sell.  It requires skill, experience, and understanding of the current market for a licensed real estate professional to represent you.  His/her expertise and access to marketing tools can maximize your return.

Pricing

One of the first things Triwood will do is help you price your home effectively.  Sometimes sellers mistakenly price their house higher, knowing they can lower the price if it doesn’t sell.  This can often backfire on sellers.  Buyers often shop around before they buy and often recognize value in a specific price range because of this comparison shopping.

Using the Multiple Listing Service (MLS), your Triwood agent will prepare a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which involves a survey of homes that are on the market, or have recently sold, that are similar to yours.  We will then advise on the additional value (or deficit) of your home’s unique features, and factor that into the equation.  Depending upon how anxious you are to sell (how quickly you need to close), your agent can suggest different strategies to help you get top dollar for your home.

Once you sign a Listing Agreement, your Triwood agent will develop a comprehensive marketing plan.  But first, we will take a look at your home and may suggest ways to make it show better.  Remember what you looked for when you bought the house?  Take a look at the selling tips to get a better idea of how you should look at your home through the “eyes of the buyer.”

Triwood Realty will put your home on the MLS so other agents will become aware of your property. Triwood will also network with other agents, conduct open houses and suggest ways to stimulate activity.

Triwood realty may also recommend incentives such as assistance with closing costs or paying for the home warranty.  This may give the buyer the incentive to offer more or close more quickly.

Comparative Pricing

Value is a relative term.  One owner’s quaint little cottage may be another’s airless old money pit.  Obviously then, you need some basis of objectivity – and you can find it by having your realtor rate your house against other similar houses in like neighborhoods.  We will work together with you to factor in all the important aspects of your home.

Home Selling Tips

People usually decide within minutes whether or not they like your house.  Remember to view your home as a buyer would see it.

Kitchen

• The kitchen is the most important room in the house.  Make bright and attractive.  If it needs help paint it and/or try new curtains.

• Make sure the Kitchen is spotless.  Check the stove, floor, windows, cabinets, etc.

• Clean the ventilating hood in the kitchen.

• If the kitchen floor is badly worn, replace it with new flooring.

• Replace any loose tiles on the counters and walls.

• Remove any appliances or knick-knacks you keep on the counters.  Clean, uncluttered counters will make the room look bigger.

Bathroom

• Repair any dripping faucets.

• Keep fresh towels in the bathroom.

• Remove any stains from the toilets, sinks, bathtub and shower.

• If the sink, bathtub or shower drains too slowly, unclog it.

Outside

• Make sure the front door and porch are fresh, and clean looking.  Repaint the front door if necessary.

• Keep the lawn and shrubs trimmed and neat looking.  Freshly planted flowers are attractive and inviting.

• Sweep walkways.

• Paint your house if necessary.  This can do more for the sales appeal than any other item.  If you don’t want to paint, consider touching up shutters and window frames.

• Check the roof and gutters … any missing shingles to replace?  Gutters and downspouts in place?

Living Areas

• Have all walls in top shape.  Repair all cracks, nail pops or visible seams in drywall.

• Wash the windows.

• Replace broken glass or torn screens.  Make sure windows open and close.

• Check ceiling for leak stains.  Fix the source of the leak, repair the ceiling and paint.  (Contract will require this to be done.)

• In painting or redecorating, avoid off-beat colors.  Stick to white or easy to work with pastels or neutrals.

• Replace or re-dye faded curtains and bedspreads.

• If you have a fireplace, clean it and put in fresh logs.

• Replace burned out light bulbs.  Put in brighter light bulbs.  Make sure light switches work.

• Clean floors and vacuum rugs.

• Straighten up the closets and get rid of excess items.

• Use air freshener to eliminate must or unpleasant pet or cooking odors.

• Fix any doors or sliding glass doors that stick.

Garage

• Clean out the garage and dispose of anything you are not going to move.  Box up everything you won’t need until you’re in your new garage.

• Make sure the garage door opener is in good working condition.

Additional “Inside” Tip

• Neatness makes a room look bigger.  Put excess furniture in storage.  Avoid clutter.

• Avoid having dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter.

• Keep toys in the children’s rooms.  Bikes, in-line skates and skateboards should be made as inconspicuous as possible.

When Your Home Is Being Shown

• Open draperies and shades to let in light.  This will make rooms appear larger.

• Keep radios, stereos and TVs off or turned way down.

• Take pets outdoors when your house is being shown.  Children should be quiet.

• Be courteous, but don’t force conversation with potential buyers.  They want to inspect your house, not pay a social call.

• Don’t mention furniture or furnishings you may want to sell unless asked.  Trying to dispose of such items via the potential buyer before they have purchased the house often loses the sale.

• Let the realtor show your house and don’t tag along.  The salesperson knows the buyers’ requirements and can better emphasize the features of your home.

• Let the realtor discuss the price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyers.  He/she is eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.

• Take your family away for the day, if your realtor is holding an open house.