All Categories Investment PropertyBuying Your HomeSelling Your HomeLearn - Real EstateTestimonialsAliso ViejoCapistrano BeachCoto de CazaDana PointIrvineLaguna BeachLaguna HillsLaguna NiguelLake ForestMission ViejoNewport BeachRancho Santa MargaritaSan ClementeSan Juan CapistranoTustinGet FinancedRobyn Seymour's VideosForeclosuresGeneral Real Estate

Advanced Search

Home sellers must take some extra care while selling their home with today's changing real estate market in preparing their home for a top-dollar sale. Home buyers have more houses to choose from and will select the home that stands out from the other houses they preview. These tips will help you attract a buyer:

Start at the Street: Pretend you are a prospective buyer seeing your home for the first time. What do you see from your car? Make your home so inviting buyers will get out of their comforting cars and walk to your front door. Place fresh seasonal flowers, in pots or planted, along the front walk or by your front door.

Make Repairs: Lubricate squeaky door hinges, fix dripping faucets, and make sure toilets flush properly. You get used to the minor faults in your home, so ask a friend to inspect for minor defects. But before you spend any big money... ask your Realtors advice.  I have seen many sellers replace carpet only to have the new buyer remove it to put in their own color choice... There are lots of items you can do, some you should do and few you should save for the negotiating table.

Exterminate: One bug or spider, dead or alive, can cause some buyers to leave immediately.

Remove Clutter: Not only does a neat, organized house feel larger and more inviting, clutter-free homes give prospective buyers a chance to see the home’s features.

Deep Clean: Remove dust, spiders, and odors.

Depersonalize: Pack your personal mementos and photographs. Give your buyers the opportunity to visualize their personal effects in your home.

Lighten Up: During the winter months, use bulbs with the highest wattage recommended in light fixtures. Add small table lamps for extra lighting. If you have room on your kitchen and bathroom countertops, a small decorative lamp adds a warm glow with a designer’s touch.

Wash Walls or Repaint: Fresh paint gives you the best return on your money.

Clean Carpets or Replace: You may be accustomed to the way your carpet looks, but what do buyers see? If you're selling to first-time home buyers, they most likely won't have the money beyond the down payment to pay for new carpeting. Move-up buyers expect perfection, even if they want to tear it all out. But again, ask you Realtor first!

Consider having your pets taken care of by family or friends: Some home buyers are allergic to pets, while others will be turned off by pet odors. You get accustomed to your pets’ odors, but these scents drive buyers away.

You can show right up front that your house may exceed a buyers expectations and is worth getting out of the car and spending a little  time and effort. Without that.... all the marketing in the world won't sell your home! So ... let's get to shining those windows!