I recently had the privilege of previewing several properties in Denver's Highlands neighborhood with two additional Live Urban agents. The homes ranged in price from $516,000 to $624,000 and although most showed quite well, tiny details had been overlooked in each home. From outdated (and incorrectly priced) marketing materials, to chipped paintandout of season candies, each home left behind a small sign that the owners and listing agent(s) had overlookedspecific and notable details.
We have all heard that Denver's real estate market is particularly hot right now. With low inventory numbers and rising home prices, realtors around the city are shamelessly asking potential sellers for new listings. Understanding this dynamic, it is important to realize that no details should be overlooked when placing a home on the market. Although properties are selling quickly, it is imperative to remember that a listing only has one opportunity to make a favorable impression on a buyer. From cleanliness, to price, to indications that the home has been on the market for a while, buyers and buyer's agentsare taking notes every time they enter a listing.
If you are prepping your house to sell, remember a few pointers.
1. Make sure that the home is priced competitively. Do not overprice your home expecting to negotiate the price down to a comfortable profit. Instead, price the home competitively and fair. The competitive market and multiple offers situations will often drive the price toward where you want and need it to be.
2. Make sure that all marketing materials are current, in good condition and readily available to a buyer or an agent. This pointer really is theresponsibility of the listing agent, but make sure that if there have been changes in price or status, they are reflected in all printed materials available to a buyer or agent. Nothing is more frustrating to an agent than having discrepancies between marketing materials and MLS information.
3. Make sure that staging materials and refreshments are seasonally neutral. If you list your property in the Fall and decide to throw a pumpkin into your staging for good measure, make sure the pumpkin is gone when the snow starts to fall!! We all comment on houses that still have Christmas lights up in July.don't let your house be another topic of such gossip! Seasonally outdated items indicate that the home has not sold over a period of time and can stigmatize the property to potential buyers.
4. Cleanliness is next to Godliness! When it comes to having hoards of people walking through your house, the last thing you want is for people to notice how untidy you are. Before you even think of opening your doors to the public, have your home professionally cleaned. Although you may be able to see past your dust and clutter, potential buyers do not always own the same pair of rose colored glasses!
Ryan Belinak
Cell: 303-807-6495
ryan@liveurbandenver.com
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