You Sign the Listing and Then . . .?

You sign a listing agreement, the "for sale" sign goes up on the lawn, and then what? What is it that will bring prospective buyers into your home? The "for sale" sign is possibly the best selling tool you will have when you are trying to sell your home. But it's not the only one, and it's not the first thing you should think about. One of the first things your REALTOR® will help you with is lots of solid advice on how to prepare your house; it should appear in the best possible light to impress buyers. Your house should be as clean and neat as possible. Remember that a potential buyer will be curious enough to check out all the hidden spots in the basement, the garage and other areas you may tend to overlook in your normal cleaning. To bring your house up to top-notch appearance, your REALTOR® may suggest some minor repairs, some painting or surface decorating. He or she may also suggest throwing away some of the clutter that you may have overlooked, or at least storing it elsewhere for awhile. Remember that a little elbow grease on your part can result in a better price and faster sale. REALTORS® are experts at assessing the proper sale price for houses. They have both the training in this area and the comparative background statistical information to arrive at the best selling price. Buyers are usually checking out the competition and are quick to know whether a house is priced too high or too low. When you have set the price and done the necessary clean-up, then the "for sale" sign can go on your lawn. If your listing agreement is a Multiple Listing Agreement (as most are), details about your property will be made available to other REALTORS® who have potential buyers they are working with. Also, the REALTOR® who is listing your property probably has a prospective customer or two and they will be quick to bring them in to look at your house. Your REALTOR® may suggest having an open house. These usually last for two or three hours on a weekend afternoon. If you have an open house scheduled, it is best for you and your family be elsewhere during that time. Prospective purchasers often find it difficult to give the house a really good look if the owner is present and they may not give your home the attention it deserves. Since strangers will be in your house, although they will be supervised by the REALTOR®, you should make sure you have hidden away your personal valuables. An open house is a good complement to the "for sale" sign on your lawn. The sign makes people aware of your house, its outside appearance, size or neighbourhood; the open house will give those people the opportunity for a closer look inside. Selling a house can be a complex task but, as an expert, your REALTOR® knows all the ins and outs. You can depend on your REALTOR® when you decide to sell your home. REALTOR® is a registered trademark of the Canadian Real Estate Association and identifies a real estate practitioner who is a member of the Association.