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