Remember That Selling Your Home is Just Business By Darrell Self

In selling your home, there are common, easily identifiable
traps to avoid -- for your sake and the buyer's. The more you
can treat the experience as a business proposition, the better
for all concerned.

** Create emotional distance. **

Once the "for sale" sign goes up in the yard, stop thinking
about the property as your home. To steal a line from The
Godfather, "It's just business." You are not selling your dreams
or your memories, you are helping someone else to find their
own. One of the best ways to divorce yourself from the house is
through staging it for sale.

- Remove extra furniture.
- Paint the rooms a neutral color.
- Remove personal memorabilia and keepsakes.
- Create vignettes in each room that highlight its purpose.

In this fashion, you not only get a jump on moving -- packing
up your things and removing the largest piece of furniture --
but you also begin the process of disassociating yourself from
the house as "yours" and you help a potential buyer to see is as
"theirs."

** Get your top price with an expert. **

Make no mistake, you can sell your home on your own. You will
need to research recently sold and currently listed properties
to arrive at a sale price. You'll need to get your home placed
on the Multiple Listing Service (about $300), and all the
showing, negotiating and paper shuffling will be up to you.
(Seriously, if you go this route, get a real estate attorney.)
You'll still have to pay the buyer's agent a fee of 1-3%. You'll
save a few thousand dollar. Is it worth it?

That's a question only you can answer, but consider these
points about real estate agents:

- They know how to set an accurate price for your home.
- They know how to negotiate and get the best price.
- They have no emotional attachment to the home and will not be
offended by buyer criticism.
- They have the time to show the home. It's what they do.
- They've done the paperwork a million times.

Bottom line. Working with an agent is easier, more efficient,
more cost effective, and in the end, more profitable.

** Avoid price fumbles. **

It is inevitable that homeowners and agents will argue about
setting a price on the home. Again, this can be a factor of
emotional attachment. Over-priced homes, especially in the wake
of an economic recession and the real estate market adjustment,
will not sell. There's just too much inventory out there.

You cannot know what the final price will be, especially if
multiple buyers are interested and start bidding. Trust your
agent. Price is crucial to a successful sale.

And price expectations are integral to avoiding a sense of
failure and disappointment. You are probably not going to get
whatever that asking price may be. If you're lucky, you'll get
more. You may get less. The important thing is that the
negotiations are carried out fairly, based on solid reasoning on
both sides, and that the price you do get represents reasonable
value for all concerned.

** Prepare your home properly. **

Getting a home ready for sale isn't just about cleaning. All
those things you've ignored for years? The missing door knob on
the hall closet? The toilet that runs unless you jiggle the
handle just right? Fix them. Don't put a patch on them or a big
potted plant in front of them. Trying to hide problems is a huge
mistake because when they are revealed, they put you in a bad
light and make the potential buyer wonder what else is wrong
that you're not telling them about.

The best way to avoid problems due to unforeseen home repairs
is simply to have your home inspected before you list it, not
after there's an offer on the table. Why dread the results of a
home inspection when you can be proactive and preemptive? Get an
inspector in. Listen to what he says. Fix what's wrong, and look
forward to a higher sale price.

** Put the focus on the buyer. **

You may think this process is about you, but it's about the
buyer. When someone wants to see your home, get up, get out, and
let them. Accept that short-term inconvenience is part of the
package -- and that includes keeping the place in constant
"show" condition. That spur of the moment showing may be the one
that seals the deal.

That being said, don't trust every Tom, Dick, and Harry who
comes up the walk, especially if you are selling your home on
your own. Don't sign anything with an unqualified buyer. Insist
on a pre-approval letter from the mortgage company or other
proof that they do have the money to go through with the
transaction.

While each of these pitfalls is easily understandable, they are
also easily avoidable. The movie line was right. Selling your
home is business. Treat it that way and make the experience
smoother for you and for your buyer.

About the Author: If you're buying or leasing a home in Dallas
| Fort Worth Texas (DFW), Darrell Self can help you. Are you
searching for Plano Texas homes for sale? If so, find properties
here: http://dmdrealtydfw.com/plano-homes-for-sale/ Are you
moving to Fort Worth? Then, visit http://dmdrealtydfw.com/.

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