| New signed purchase agreements are down | | | | you can use your discretion a little. If |
| 17.7 per cent from this time last year | | | | they casually ask if something is |
| in Minneapolis, Minnesota. There is | | | | included in the house, think before you |
| always an annual pause in realty at this | | | | answer! Do you really need it? Might it |
| time of the year, so it is not | | | | clinch a deal? |
| surprising that buyer activity is | | | | If it is such a thing as the perfect |
| reported as slow at the moment. If you | | | | drapes for the living room, or the |
| are living there, or in one of the many | | | | kiddies swing set, you could just answer |
| other places suffering a slow-down, you | | | | in a positive way, so that nothing is |
| may like a few down-to-earth tips for | | | | ruled out. For instance, "It could be |
| beating the competition and selling your | | | | included." |
| home. | | | | Remember to try and view your home the |
| However, there are several steps you can | | | | way a stranger would and remove all |
| take to make sure that your home gets a | | | | clutter to keep it looking spacious. |
| fair chance. The very first chance you | | | | Invest in a plug in air freshener right |
| have at getting a buyer is to ensure | | | | near the front door. Put on all your |
| that they SEE your home, the second | | | | lamps and try a pink bulb in one of the |
| chance is to ensure that they will be IN | | | | living room lamps to give added |
| your home and the third chance is in | | | | ambiance. |
| offering an INCENTIVE to close the deal. | | | | If an offer comes in, cherish it and try |
| With regard to the first chance of | | | | and nurture it. Obviously it will be |
| 'seeing your house'; over 80% of all | | | | less than you want in these days of the |
| buyers browse the Internet first when | | | | buyer's market, but these buyers have |
| choosing a home. Make sure your real | | | | chosen your house, so work with this. |
| estate agent has a great spread of your | | | | What incentives can you offer to them, |
| house on line on his web page. | | | | while you push up the price? Perhaps the |
| The main picture is the one that will | | | | swing set or perhaps some other |
| attract viewers into the virtual tour. | | | | financial help. Money talks, as they |
| If your home has beautiful trees in the | | | | say. |
| garden, get him or her to step back and | | | | If their lender offered less financing |
| get some greenery in the photo. Wait for | | | | on your home than the buyer expected, |
| a sunny day; it makes a lot of | | | | they may be short of cash; many sellers |
| difference. | | | | before you have clinched a firm deal by |
| If you have not chosen your real estate | | | | offering to pay the closing costs. |
| agent yet, go on line to the realty | | | | This saves their actual personal cash, |
| sites, and see which one is most | | | | as the mortgage will cover most of the |
| user-friendly. Can you just click on the | | | | house purchase, so it is good incentive. |
| houses you want to look at? Do they | | | | Do not offer this without your real |
| access the virtual tour very easily? Or | | | | estate agent's agreement as it must be |
| did you have to fill in lots of details | | | | part of a firm and legally binding deal |
| about yourself first? If so, forget this | | | | for you. |
| site, people loose interest too easily! | | | | Why would you help someone to buy your |
| There are still people who drive by, so | | | | house? Only you can decide if it is |
| display your agent's board, and make | | | | worth 'giving away' maybe three or four |
| sure the clutter is kept in the back | | | | thousand of your own cash to actually |
| yard and not the front yard. Remember to | | | | sell your home. |
| put on your lights at night, so the | | | | Lowering the price will just delay the |
| house looks warm and welcoming. Park | | | | paperwork, allowing for changes of minds |
| your own car in the garage so that the | | | | and also it will not solve the problem |
| driveway is clear, to show the house at | | | | of the buyer's immediate cash flow. Life |
| its best. | | | | needs strange solutions for strange |
| If the first step is completed, then the | | | | times - but it will be your final |
| second chance of buyers 'being in your | | | | decision to make. |
| home' should automatically follow. Here | | | | |