Want to Sell Your House Faster? Make it Anonymous

Richard Thyssen, Broker of Record
Colleen Thyssen, Sales Representative

Direct: 519-495-1541

Office: 519-438-8000

Email:  richardthyssen@kw.com

Website:  www.thyssengroup.com

The year is almost over. I hope you had a great 2016! We don’t know what your plans are for 2017, but if they include the possibility of moving, give us a call. We have several tips we can share with you on how to sell your property during the winter season. Even if you won’t be making a move until the spring or summer, it’s a good idea to start planning now. Just give us a call. We are here to help.

Want to Sell Your House Faster? Make it Anonymous

What do you notice when you visit a model home in a new development? Often, you’ll find wonderfully furnished and decorated rooms that anyone could live in. The operative word here is “anyone”. Sure, there might be a computer screen on a desk in the den, or a child’s Raggedy Ann doll sitting in a corner, but for the most part, all the rooms are anonymous. There is a sense of family, but no specific family… the feeling of personality, but no specific person. The professionals who set up a model home make it anonymous for a reason. They want buyers to view it as their potential home, not someone else’s. And these professionals know — based on decades of experience — that this strategy helps sell houses faster and for a better price. Why not use this same strategy when showing your house or condo? It’s easy. Just put away that soccer trophy, take down the wedding photo, and box those souvenirs from the family vacation at Disneyland. No, you don’t have to completely empty your closets and drawers. Just pack those personal items that can be seen when a potential buyer views a room. Put away toothbrushes, collectibles, even unopened mail. Don’t forget the fridge door, which is often a mosaic of personal items in most family homes. If you have lots of personal items, consider renting a storage unit for the few weeks that your house or condo will be on the market. It’s worth the investment. You wouldn’t think of buying a birthday cake with a stranger’s name on it. The same holds true when you show your house or condo. Make it anonymous! Need more ideas for selling your house or condo faster and for the best price possible? Call today.

Your Really, Really Great List

When buyers shop for a new home, they typically start by viewing properties that meet a specific criteria… four bedrooms, a finished basement, a quiet neighbourhood, etc. But often there is something special about a home that catches a buyer’s eye that can very well tip the scales toward your home. Think about it. How many times have you heard someone who has just purchased a home say something like, “Wow, the recreational room is fantastic!” Or, “The golf course is just a mile up the road!” Or, “There’s a great school just four blocks away.” So when you list your home for sale, think about the special features that might get a similar reaction from buyers. For example, you might have a view out your living room window that’s really, really great. There might be a local playground that’s especially well-equipped and clean. Your home might be located near a local sporting centre which is really convenient for families who have kids involved in sports. So when you create your list of features, highlight those that are really, really great and make sure potential buyers are aware of them. It might just be the one feature that prompts a buyer to make an offer. Is a Low Offer a Good Idea? You’ve spent a couple of weekends viewing homes. You’ve found a few that you like, but none were quite “it”. Then, finally, you visit a property that seems perfect for you. It has most of the features you’re looking for in a new home. You quickly fall in love with it. But it’s not yours yet. You have to make an offer. The amount you offer will play a huge role in whether or not you get the home, and the price you’ll pay. At this point, you might be tempted to put in a really low offer in the hopes that you’ll get a bargain. But that’s usually not a good idea. First, the seller (working with his or her REALTOR®) probably knows the current market value of the property. So your low-ball offer will not make a good impression. Second, there might be another offer that comes in at the same time — one that’s closer to the listing price — and you might risk losing your chance to buy the property.  So be cautious with the low-ball game. Chances are, you’ll lose.  We can help you make the right offer for the property you’re interested in purchasing.