Closing one door, opening another

Promote and Market the Property

This is a key practice that every REALTOR® should embrace and excel at.  Marketing is to real estate as bait is to a fisherman.  Today there are more avenues to attract buyers than ever before.  One of the most essential elements is photography.  High quality photographs of a property will be any potential buyer’s first impression of your client’s home.  Social media and a strong web presence are also critical to give your seller the best opportunity for a successful sale.

Find the Best Price

Having an effective pricing strategy stems from a number of skills.  Using experience and expertise will help you arrive at the best possible price for your seller.  Without this vital step it can end up costing your client a lot of time and money.  Understanding the market and researching comparable sales are important factors for determining the best price.  There is a fine line to walk between what is a correctly priced property and the price that your client wants.  While it can be difficult not to give in to an optimistic figure, you’re obligated by the code of ethics to do what is best for your client, not to offer what they want to hear.  Pricing too high can lead to an extended time on the market, which is not favorable.  Pricing too low can leave a lot of money on the table.  This is why arriving at the correct price for your market and timeframe is essential.

Attend the Inspection

When a home is inspected it can often lead to a secondary round of negotiations.  Cost concessions and repair agreements all effect the seller’s motivation and final price.  Being available for your client to observe and listen makes you a valuable resource and gives you the opportunity to understand the evolving landscape of the transaction.

Prepare for the Closing

A REALTOR’S® value comes from their experience and expertise in guiding their clients through a complex and complicated process.  This is never truer than during a closing.  The more you can do for your client in this final stage only adds to your value as a REALTOR®.

Paint

A fresh coat of paint can be a cost effective way to add instant curb appeal.  Choose neutral colors like white or beige to appeal to potential buyers and provide a clean and updated look.

De-Clutter

By cleaning out and clearing up each room in your house, you’ll be able to make it look more spacious.  Finding things you don’t use anymore or that may be in disrepair is a great way to open up every room.  It also gives you a jump start on your future move.

Address the Kitchen

The kitchen is widely considered the most important part of the home.  It is a place where many families spend the most of their time.  There are several ways to update and upgrade this essential room, allowing buyers to imagine themselves in it.  Do the cabinet doors and drawers work properly?  Are the hardware fixtures dated? These are all easy updates and repairs that can make a world of difference.

Landscape

Just like a fresh coat of paint brightens up your house, spending a little time in the yard can really improve your curb appeal.  Fresh sod, a mowed lawn, and colorful flowers can all add up to a great first impression.  Trimming trees and bushes and adding some potted plants are great ways to welcome prospective buyers.

Add New Mulch

Adding new, fresh mulch is an easy, fast, and cheap way to instantly reinvigorate your yard.  Applying a few fresh bags in your flowerbeds will make everything really standout.

Plant Colorful Plants

This is another affordable option when it comes to sprucing up the outdoors.  The contrast in colors will be very appealing to the eye and get the attention of potential homebuyers.  Also the appearance of fresh flowers provides a great first impression and insinuates that people are visiting a well maintained and cared for home.

Pressure Wash

Driveways, sidewalks, fences, siding, and other surfaces all bear the brunt of a harsh Louisiana climate.  Scorching heat, rainy downpours and more all take their toll on these surfaces that can make them look dingy and rundown.   Pressure washing can remove those layers of mold, mildew, and grime; showing off a glistening, fresh, new appearance.

Shape Trees and Shrubs

Anytime of the year in Louisiana it’s a good idea to trim and shape your trees and shrubbery, regardless of if you’re selling or not.  Debris from these plants can wreak havoc during a storm.  However if you are selling, and you have addressed your landscaping, ignoring this part can sabotage all of your work.  Trimming limbs, clearing leaves and tidying up bushes can make a good yard look great.

Contracts and Negotiations

Real estate transactions include complex and complicated legal processes.  Having someone represent you that not only understands these processes, but that can inform, advise, and negotiate to ensure that your investment is as successful as possible.

Real Estate Regulations

Staying current on changing real estate laws can be a full-time job in itself.  If you are moving from state-to-state or simply across town, there can be a wide array of laws and regulations that you need to be aware of.  This is your REALTOR’S® job.  They are a well versed, and immersed in real estate regulations and will be aware of any and all pertinent information for your transaction.

Market Expertise and Consultation

If you’re shopping for a new house, your job is to know what you want; your REALTOR’S® job is to know where to find it.  If you’re selling your home, it is their job to get you the best price possible in a timely manner.  Both sides of this transaction are improved when you have someone on your side that understands the market.  There are a lot of other factors that go into the purchase or sale of home other than the number of bedrooms and total square feet.  Being familiar with property tax regulations, school districts, nearby amenities, and many other elements all provide a much clearer picture for you as a client.

Tighten up

The little things can mean big dollars.  Make sure that all of the hardware on your cabinets is tightened.  Use a little WD-40 on your door hinges to prevent squeaking.  Door knobs and handles should also be tightened, making them easy to open.  Also replace older or burnt out light bulbs.  This can add some fresh light and prevent the unfortunate event of light switch not responding.

 Add a coat

 Freshening up the interior and exterior of your home can easily be done with a fresh coat of paint.  Walls, trim, and ceilings should be painted with soft, neutral colors.  Gray, beige, and other soft colors won’t offend the eye, and make it easier for potential buyers to imagine their own style.

Look up

While replacing a roof can be an expensive endeavor, making small repairs can pay huge dividends.  Replace missing shingles, clean out the gutters, and clear out any debris that has accumulated.  It will present a well maintained roof and add to the curb appeal of your home.

Wood you rather?

A quick pressure washing session can take years of wear and tear off of your fence, gates, and deck.  Louisiana’s wet summers and hot sun can take a toll on these elements of your home, but pressure washing and treating the wood can make them look like new.

Keep your plumbing humming

Toilets, faucets, and plumbing hardware need to be both operating properly and current.  Replacing hardware and knobs in the kitchen and bathrooms can be an inexpensive and effective way to update your fixtures.  It’s also important to make sure that faucets don’t drip and toilets don’t run.  Doing a little routine maintenance can go a long way when showing your home.

Sell without a REALTOR®

REALTORS® are a great resource for home sellers and buyers alike.  They have market experience and expertise that, for a home seller, can result in the highest offer possible.  When you consider all of the moving parts that make up any real estate transaction, it can be quite a daunting task.  If you attempt to sell your house without a trusted professional, you can be quickly overwhelmed and leave serious money on the table.

Have irrational expectations

Managing your expectations can be difficult, but it is very important when it comes to selling your home.  Of course in a perfect world your home would sell quickly and above your asking price, but that’s not realistic.  An aggressive price point and unreasonable expectations for buyers can turn them off of your property in a hurry.  The advice and guidance of a REALTOR® can help to ensure that you have a fair and competitive price, making this process much smoother.

Attend open houses and showings

While the desire to be present at open houses and showings is understandable, it may not be in your best interest.  When potential buyers are looking at your home and you’re there, it can create an awkward experience.  For a buyer trying to imagine themselves in your home while you’re there can be difficult.  They may also feel inhibited about providing accurate and honest feedback with you present.  This is a great opportunity for your REALTOR® to represent you in your absence during these events.

Not preparing your home

It takes a lot more to sell a home than simply sticking a sign in the yard.  Much of that work and due diligence will fall on your REALTOR®, but as a homeowner there are responsibilities for you as well.  Rushing too quickly to get your house on the market can be a costly mistake if it isn’t prepared.  A first impression is priceless when it comes to selling your home and if you haven’t made any necessary repairs, decluttered, improved the curb appeal, or staged your home, it may sit longer and go for less.

Properly Pricing Your Home

This is arguably the most important factor in the process.  A price that is too high will leave your home on the market far too long, resulting in you dropping much lower than fair market value.  A price too low, while it can make for a quick sale, leaves thousands of dollars on the table.  Your REALTOR’S® experience, expertise, and resources will help you determine the most advantageous price for your home.

Recommending Any Necessary Improvements

Before that sign hits your yard, announcing that your house is on the market, you’ve already taken a number of steps to put your best foot forward.  However, there could be some simple, inexpensive actions that can equal a significant return when you sell.  Your REALTOR® will be able to recommend certain repairs and enhancements that can positively impact your bottom line.  Whether it’s a fresh coat of paint, new landscaping, or making minor repairs, the knowledge of what buyers are looking for will help guide your efforts.

Advertises, Coordinates, and Shows Your Home to Prospective Buyers

Selling your home promptly, for your target price is a full-time job.  Making sure it can be found online, through social media, as well as other avenues, on top of scheduling showings, and hosting open houses is no small feat, and it is what your REALTOR® should be doing.  The more exposure your home gets toward potential buyers, the more likely it is to sell quickly and for more money.