5. Make The Right Kind Of Repairs
Before making improvements, prior to listing, consult a real estate professional. Some upgrades will not yield any real increase in value, while others may increase property value substantially. For example putting in granite countertops to attract high ticket buyers in a home with a very tiny kitchen most likely will not do much to up the value of that home. Most buyers in the market for a home with granite countertops are also looking for a highly functional and spacious kitchen. You may be putting money into a project that will potentially be remodeled anyway. However, emphasizing the properties assets like its fantastic yard, for example, could potentially double your money in repairs. If you have a great outdoor space refinishing the deck and planting a few colorful flowers could draw attention to the properties best quality and therefore show potential buyers what a good find your home is. Each property has different pros and cons, ask for low-cost solutions to minor repairs that will yield the best profits.

6. Make Your Property Accessible To Buyers
Lock boxes are a great way to make your home most accessible to agents for showing. Realtors in our area have tools called Supra Keys that will allow them to safely access a home with a lock box. Each realtor has their own access code and each entry can easily be traced for follow up and security reasons. Plus the lock box can be set to restrict hours of access to accommodate the sleeping patterns of a new born baby for example. These tools are fantastic for home showings because they allow a buyers agent to easily access a listed home when the owners are not around. A buyer will never know if they want to buy your property if they cant take a look around and if it is difficult to get in they may just skip it all together. Appointment-only showings are the most restrictive. If your lifestyle is not compatible with frequent showings, your agent will help you determine a solution to suit your needs. Remember, the easier a home is to show, the better the odds are of getting the deal you want.

7. Screen Prospects Adequately
One of the best reasons for hiring a Realtor is their ability to pre qualify a prospective buyer financially so that you dont lose valuable negotiation time. Your agent will screen the offers as they come in and determine if the buyer is qualified for the purchase of your home. When I look at potential offers the first thing I look at is their total offer packet. Are they eligible homebuyers? Will this offer see its way to the end of escrow? Just because someone likes your home and is willing to purchase it is no guarantee that they have the necessary means to see the deal through.

8. Give The Sales Process Enough Time
Homes may take 3-6 months or more to sell in any market. Estimate how much time you have before you need to sell and then plan ahead to allow extra time. You dont want to be forced to accept a disappointing offer. As your agent it is my job to keep you abreast to the market condition, average days it takes in a given market to sell homes, what is happening with pricing and what to expect as a seller. I always consider each offer that comes in and give you the necessary tools to make the best decision as to what offer to accept. After each week on the market I take inventory and make strategic decisions as to how to better market your individual home in order to get the best results possible.