LISTING & SELLING YOUR HOME IN THE PHOENIX AREA

So, you want to sell your home, you don’t want it to sit on the market for a long time, and you want to get the most for it you can?

There are many factors that go into the sale of a home… Market timing, price, staging, home condition are things to consider. We can help guide you through preparing your home for the most desirable outcome.

You first need to place yourself in the position of the person who will be viewing your home. Remember you probably won’t be there for the showing. Things that are important or have sentimental value to you will not necessarily be of value to the viewer of your home and frankly your presence may hurt your home’s attractiveness to the viewer.

Try to imagine viewing your home as a stranger.

Is it neat and tidy? Does it have a pleasant smell? Is it open and inviting? Is it brightly lit? Are there obvious small repairs that could be done? Is the yard neat and tidy?

If you give your home a thorough cleaning, paint it with a fresh coat and do yard work, you will make a good impression. Choose neutral colors with paint. Shampoo any carpets and wax hardwood floors. You want your home to be perceived as ready to move in. Cut and edge your lawn and trim any hedges. It’s also time to clear out your storage areas and unnecessary clutter. Home viewers are going to see every part of your home so there are no hiding places for clutter (closet, basement, attic). You may also want to consider moving your car out of the garage to give it a larger appearance.

Lighting is important. You should consider purchasing a few inexpensive halogen lights for darker areas of your house. Remember a home should look clean, bright and uncluttered. Although it may be a lot of work, these things will help tremendously in the sale of your home.

PERFORM A “WALK-THROUGH” OF YOUR PROPERTY

Look at it from the perspective of both the prospective buyer and the inspector. Take notes on all items that need to be repaired or replaced.

Things to consider include:

OUTSIDE:

Does it need a new coat of paint (either because the old paint is obviously cracked or faded, or because of an uncommon choice in color that might turn off prospective buyers)?
If your house has a yard or outside space, is the lawn and landscaping attractive and well-kept?
If it is a condo, you can’t do much about the exterior, but is the front door (and balcony, if there is one) well-kept and appealing?
Are the windows and doors clean, operational, and in good condition?
Is the roof (and the gutters) in good condition?
Are all your lights working and clean of cob webs?
Is your pool crystal clear and in good working order?
Is the grass nicely maintained, are the hedges trimmed, are the leaves swept up and weeds pulled?
Are all toys, and personal items, put away such as bikes, scooters, etc.?

INSIDE:

Declutter and remove personal items such as family portraits, toys, paperwork, etc. Buyers want to picture their family living in the house, not yours.
Are the interior paints and finishes in good condition (recently updated), or do they need to be freshened up? This is one area with the best ratio of least expensive to most desired. For a minimal investment, you could possibly make or break a sale by having your home look well-kept and inviting.
Are the appliances fairly new and in good working order?
Are the plumbing and electrical systems in good condition? Are they fully functional?
Are the carpets or other floor surfaces clean and in good condition? Like the paint, are they attractive and well-kept? Floor coverings are worth paying for so that your home makes a good impression.
Are the sealants and fixtures (sink, shower, tub, windows) in good condition?
Are all light fixtures working properly, and is there good lighting in each room so that prospective buyers won’t think you’re hiding something?

Something else to consider…

You may even want to get a home inspection done prior to listing your house so you can address any issues that come up before they scare off potential buyers. You can correct things that need to be corrected, and include the documentation of the inspection in the listing, showing buyers the house is ready for their family to move in.

ONCE YOUR HOUSE IS READY TO LIST:

Our agents will do a walk through of the property with you and make any final suggestions. We will review the Competitive Market Analysis we originally prepared for your property, and compare it to any changes, and newly listed or sold properties in your neighborhood since it was first done. We will arrive at a listing price together, and order professional photography and marketing materials for your home.

Our agents will organize open houses and brokers tours of your property, depending on the market and the accessibility of your home. If you are still living in the property you will likely need to make it available for showings and open houses when you and your family are not present.

We will keep in close contact with you throughout the homeselling process. You will be informed of activity, showings, feedback and other things related to the sale of your home. Any offers received will be immediately communicated to you and you will be asked to respond quickly.

Once we have an accepted offer, we will help guide you through required paperwork, home inspections, timely deadlines, and any other items related to the sale. We will handle all communications with the purchasers and purchasing agents, working on your behalf in your best interest.

Once the transaction is closed, we would be honored to have you write a review on our services, and share your experience with friends and family. We take pride in our level of service, and expertise in the Arizona Real Estate market and would love to serve others whom you may recommend.