With a little effort on your part, your property can sell more quickly and at a better price.   According to Home Staging Statistics, “94% of staged homes sell on average in 29 days or less (and in the Silicon Valley, usually in far less time),” and almost always at a higher price. The following tips have proved invaluable to owners and will help to make your property more appealing to potential buyers:

Preparation for showing:

  • Curb appeal is everything! Keep lawn trimmed and edged, and the yard free of refuse.  Reseed the lawn and fertilize if necessary, weed the gardens and add mulch. Deep green grass makes a lasting impression.   Plant “color spots” in flower beds to add a warm feeling to your front yard.
  • Stage for a quick sale with more money.  Faded walls and worn woodwork reduce appeal.  Why try to tell the prospect how your property could look, when you can show them by staging?  Only approximately 10-15% of buyers can see the “potential” in a property.  Do you want to potentially turn-off 85-90% of your potential buyers?  No!  A small investment in neutral colors will pay dividends. A quicker sale at a higher price will result in almost ALL cases.  Review Silicon Valley and Beyond TV’s video tutorial on how much staging can yield you in returns:
  • First impressions are lasting!  The front door greets the prospect.  Make sure it looks nice and clean.  If the trim is looking a little frayed, our suggestion is to spruce it up with a coat of paint prior to your property going onto the market.
  • Let the sun shine in.  Open draperies and curtains and let the prospect see how cheerful your property can be.  (Dark rooms do not appeal to most buyers).
  • Do the windows work well and look sparkling? Make sure the glass is spotless.  Take window screens off of the windows, label and store them in the garage.  This may sound odd, but it doesn’t make a difference.
  • Are the appliances operating properly and clean?
  • Fix the faucet!  Dripping water discolors sinks and suggests faulty plumbing.
  • Repairs can make a big difference. Loose knobs, sticking doors and windows, warped cabinet drawers and other minor flaws detract from property value.  Have them fixed prior to entering your property to the market.
  • From top to bottom.  Display the full value of your attic, basement and other utility space by removing all unnecessary articles.  Brighten dark, dull basements by painting walls and adding brighter light bulbs.
  • Safety first.  Keep stairways clear.  Avoid cluttered appearances and possible injuries.
  • Pack excess linens and clothing to make closets look bigger.  Leave plenty of cleared floor space in closets.  Neat, well-ordered closets show the space is ample—a big feature for buyers!
  • Bathrooms help sell properties.  Check and repair grout in bathtubs and showers.  Make the bathrooms sparkle and shine. Don’t let the Handy Man add gobs of caulking when grout is what you need.
  • Arrange bedrooms neatly.  Remove excess furniture.  Use attractive, updated bedspreads, throw pillows, and fresh-looking window coverings.
  • Make sure to remove (or mention to The Dawn Thomas Team) any attached (fixed) items that you intend to take with you, such as special chandeliers, shelving or garden plants.  Your special light fixture that you want to take to your new home will end up being an item of negotiation later.  It’s far better to have it completely out of site before we even show buyers your home.
  • Get familiar with similar properties on the market that you may be competing against.  Ask yourself if your property stacks up to the competition in similar price bands.
  • Have I asked The Dawn Thomas Team for a list of ways I can improve the “marketability” of my property without wasting time and money?   Download our Home Enhancement Checklist, which will is a great tool to help guide you to sell your home faster and for more money.  You’ll be provided with many ideas to start the process of getting your property ready for the market.
  • Can you see the light?  Illumination is like a welcome sign.  The potential buyer will feel a glowing invitation when you turn on all your lights for a showing.
  • Am I ready to disclose any structural defects such as roof, foundation or wiring problems?
  • Have I started looking for my new property? Do I know what I want in another property?   Whether you are planning to stay in the Silicon Valley or Santa Cruz County, or are moving outside of this area, The Dawn Thomas Team has an expanded worldwide network to help you with your relocation.  We can help you find a wonderful real estate agent anywhere or we can assist you in getting The Best Possible Price on your next purchase within our service areas!
  • What do I need to do to prepare for my upcoming move?  The Dawn Thomas Team has many resources available to help you with real estate and beyond.  Just ask and we’ll be happy to consult with you!

Showing the house:

  • Whenever possible leave your house for showings, if not, follow the tips below.
  • Never leave valuables out in plain view! Better yet—lock up anything you don’t want to go missing for all showings.   Your house is on stage, and we don’t live in our houses the same way we do when we are selling them.
  • Three’s a crowd.  Avoid having too many people present during showings.  The potential buyer will feel like an intruder and will hurry through the house.
  • Peace and quiet is key.  Turn off the blaring radio or television. Let the agent and buyer talk, free of disturbances.  If you want to have soft jazz playing in the background, that’s the only exception we suggest.
  • Got Pets? Keep them out of the way–preferably out of the house. Please see our blog Moving With Your Pets, for helpful hints on keeping our furry family members safe and potential buyers at ease.
  • Silence is golden.  Be courteous but don’t force conversation with the potential buyer.  He wants to inspect your house–not to pay a social call.
  • Never apologize for the appearance of your property. After all, it has been lived in.  Let the The Dawn Thomas Team answer any objections. This is our job.
  • Remain in the background.  The agent knows the buyer’s requirements and can better emphasize the features of your property when you don’t tag along.  You will be called if needed.  Allow the buyers to take “psychological possession.”
  • If you have personal belongings that you no longer want, they can be sold outside of your real estate transaction. Don’t try to include them with the property.  Trying to dispose of furniture and furnishings to the potential buyer before he has purchased the house often loses a sale.
  • A word to the wise.  Let The Dawn Thomas Team discuss price, terms, possession and other factors with the buyer and his/her agent representation. Always refer agent questions to The Dawn Thomas Team.   Sometimes even the most innocent of answers can be used against you in negotiations. We are eminently qualified to bring negotiations to a favorable conclusion.