The best chance for selling your property is within the first seven weeks.
Studies show that the longer a property stays on the market, the less the
seller will net. Below are 5 main factors to accomplishing this goal.

* Pricing Factor

It is very important to price your property at a competitive market value
right when you list it. The market is so competitive that even over-pricing
by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell. It's
interesting, but your first offer is usually your best offer. Here are
reasons for pricing your property at the market value right from the start
in order to net you the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time.
An overpriced home:

* Minimizes offers
* Lowers showings
* Lowers agent response
* Limits financing
* Limits qualified buyers
* Nets less for the seller

80% of the marketing is done when we decide on what price to list your home.
If you are unwilling to list at current market value, you would be better
off not putting it on the market at this time.

* Clean Factor

Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanness or
odor when buying a home. Sellers lose thousands of dollars because they do
not adequately clean. If your house is squeaky clean, you will be able to
sell your home faster and net hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more. If
you are planning on moving, why not get rid of that old junk now so that
your house will appear larger? Make more space. Odors must be eliminated
especially if you have dogs, cats, or young children in diapers or if you
are a smoker. You may not notice the smell, but the buyers do! Most agents
have a difficult time communicating to their sellers about odor. If you
employ an agent to get the most amount of money for you, please don't take
offense if he must confront you about odor problems.

* Access Factor

Top selling agents will not show your home if both the Key and access are
not readily available. They do not have time to run around town all day
picking up and dropping off keys. They want to sell homes! The greatest way
to show a house is to have a key! When your home is being shown, please do
the following:

* Keep all lights on
* Keep all drapes and shutters open
* Keep all doors unlocked
* Leave soft music playing
* Take a short walk with your children and pets
* Let the buyer be at ease and let the agents do their job
* Paint & Carpet Factor

Paint is your best improvement investment for getting a greater return on
your money. Paint makes the whole house smell clean and neat. If your house
has chipped paint, exposed wood, or the paint looks faded, it is time to
paint. If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated, or an unusual color, you may
need to seriously consider replacing it. Many houses do not sell because of
this problem. Don't think that buyers have more money than you have to
replace carpet. They don't. They simply buy elsewhere.

* Front Yard Fact

Your front yard immediately reflects the inside condition of your house to
the buyer. People enjoy their yards. Make certain that the trees are
trimmed so the house can be seen from the street. Have the grass mowed,
trimmed and edged. Walkways should be swept. Clean away debris. Remove
parked cars. This all adds to curb appeal. If a buyer doesn't like the
outside, they may not stop to see the inside.