The Kestner Team

 Top 35 Selling Secrets!

35. De-Clutter!  

    - Everywhere!

34. Clean Up to Clean Up

    - Especially Bathrooms and Kitchens

    - Remove bugs from light fixtures

    - Ask yourself, “Would you want it?”

33. Fix it or Forget it

    - Deferred maintenance if a big problem

    - Fix things before putting on market

    - Buyers make a mental checklist of what all will need to be done. The usually will cost you less to fix that what buyers think it will cost.

32. Go neutral!

    - Use primer first, especially when going from dark to lights.

31. Design to smell

    - Do not have bad smells in you home (i.e. pets, cooking, filth, trash shoes, etc.). These can be deal breakers

    - Open all windows before an open house to air it out. Bake cookies or bread for a nice smell.

30. Spring into action

    - Research shows that the best time to sell is in the Spring.

    - Worst time is usually December, but anyone looking at that time is a serious buyer!

29. Clear it up and clean it out!

    - Yard/curb appeal) get planter beds full of as much color as you can afford)!

    - Some people will not even go inside if the yard and house do not have good curb appeal!

28. Embrace your architecture

    - Make it look nice outside

27. Opportunity knocks

    - Your front door should be inviting! Clean it up, paint, put on new hardware, sweep, etc.

26. Deck it out!

    - The outside is like an extra room.

    - Sand deck and stain or paint.

    - Put out nice furniture.

25. Have them at “hello”

    - You have 10 second to make a good impression.

    - Stand at your threshold and be objective like a buyer would be.

    - Do you make a good impression/

24. Fire up the fireplace.

    - Do not block the fireplace. Show off the assets. Paint just the fireplace wall a different color for accent. A fireplace is the #4 item of wants from a buyer!

23. Furnish for selling!

    - Especially in the Living Room! Pull all furniture off the wall. It creates an illusion of more space when you can see the dimensions of a room. Do not put big furniture in small rooms, and do not put small furniture in big rooms. There are places to rent furniture! There are people who can “stage” you home.

22. Money is in the details.

    - Consider putting in crown molding!

21. Design to dine

    - Dress up your table and put in a nice light fixture!

20. Know your competition.

    - Go to Open Houses in your neighborhood. See what they look like and what other buyers are saying about it. Then go home and compare yours to theirs.

19. Pare it down!

    - Bedrooms should be relaxation and comfort, not a home office or storage room. When in doubt, take it out!

18. Make it all about the bed.

    - Especially in the master bedroom.

17. Create instant luxury

    - Buy nice bedding and window treatments.

16. Clear out the closet

    - Clear out excess items and straighten up the shelves.

15. Price to sell!!!

    - Not to Sit!! You run the risk of scaring off buyers. Buyers think something is wrong with it if it has been on the market too long!

14. Use high end materials

    - Especially in bathrooms and kitchens! Do it yourself (most of the cost is in the labor).

13. Primp your vanity

    - The vanity is the only furniture in the bathroom. Put in new hardware and paint cabinets if needed. Change the mirror and light fixture.

12. Don’t pour money down the drain.

    - Change the shower door. Have the tub refinished (which is a great improvement and cheaper that replacing). Make the bathroom look fresh and untouched. No one really wants to shower where someone else has!

11. Whisk them away.

    - Accessories in the bathroom are very important. Buy new towels, spa lotions, etc.

10. Cook up your kitchen

    - This is the #1 room in the house. Do not clutter the countertops. Clean off the refrigerator.

9.  Reheat your cabinets.

    - Paint (with high gloss or enamel) or stain. Put on new hardware.

8.  Use counter intelligence

    - Update countertops if necessary.

7.  Apply yourself

    - Put in new appliances. Use Stainless steel or a stainless steel laminate over your old ones. If you don’t replace, at least clean the up! Make sure your refrigerator does not have bad smells.

6.  Open up and say “offers”

    - Don’t close in your kitchen. Open up walls to make the rooms look bigger. Be sure it is not a load baring wall or a wall with electrical elements in it.

5.  Go with the flow.

    - Give a good flow. Reposition furniture.

4.  Go from trash to treasure.

    - Make your house a gem!

3.  Match the book to its cover.

    - Make sure the inside looks as good as the curb appeal!

2.  Complete the picture.

    - Make it move-in ready.

1.  Go over the top.

    - Pick your projects. Spend a little money to make it better. Don’t do “nothing”. Do “something” to get it ready to sell!!