Transcript Real Estate Coalition Update and Action Plan

Coalition Corner:
Business training tools for HR staff, real estate licensees and
other service professionals in the relocation and real estate industries
Sell This House!
The Worldwide ERC® Coalition thanks Karen McRae, SCRP, GMS
Jenny Pruitt & Associates REALTORS, for this edition.
© 2006, Employee Relocation Council/Worldwide ERC® Coalition
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Program objectives
• This program supplements an editorial feature in Worldwide
ERC®’s Mobility magazine
• This segment will:
– Offer tips for making the most of a first impression when
preparing to sell a home in a competitive housing market
– Offer tips for marketing vacant properties
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A Good First Impression
 It is beneficial if relocating employees can view their homes
through the eyes of prospective buyers
 Particularly in a competitive real estate market, a good first
impression is crucial
 The following tips can help prepare a home…
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Exterior
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Pressure wash to clean and brighten exterior surfaces (siding,
decks, patios, sidewalks and steps, etc.)
Freshen up paint on siding, trim, shutters, etc. (Be sure color
choices conform to any homeowner’s association guidelines!)
Repair or replace any damaged siding or rotted wood
Clean gutters and downspouts
Repair broken or cracked windows and screens; wash all windows
Repair or replace outdoor lighting, particularly if inoperable or
outdated
Repair cracks in walkways and driveways
Replace any rotted wood or loose boards, railings, etc. on decks or
other exterior surfaces
Add fresh potted plants or flowers to porches and entryways
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Landscaping
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Keep lawn freshly mowed; trimmed at edges
Re-seed or sod any bare spots
Remove toys, bikes, garden hoses, etc.
Remove or replace any dead shrubs, hedges or trees
Trim and prune shrubs
Skirt any trees that block the view of property
Add color with seasonal flowers in pots or beds
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Interior: General Living Areas
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Wash and ensure windows open/close
Replace unusual or unique wall coverings with neutral colors
Replace small or ineffective light fixtures (poor lighting can
make a house seem gloomy and uninviting)
Repair any hairline cracks or nail pops in walls
If any drapery rods, window treatments, or fixtures are
moving with the seller, remove them and repair all damage
before marketing
Check ceilings for leak stains; repair cause of leak, repair
ceiling, and repaint
Replace all burned out light bulbs; make certain every light
switch works and wall plates are clean
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Interior: General Living Areas
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Make certain all sliding doors are in tracks (rub tracks with
paraffin or candle wax for easier movement)
Clean carpets, paying careful attention to heavy traffic areas
and stains
Eliminate pet or smoke odors; clean draperies and carpets
to remove stubborn odors
De-clutter furniture and closet areas—less is better to make
rooms appear larger
Clear excess furnishings to maximize feeling of space and
comfort
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Interior: Kitchen
Probably the most important room in the house, the kitchen
needs to really sparkle!
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Thoroughly clean oven, cook tops, ventilating hoods inside
and out
Replace badly worn flooring
Clean walls, floors, sinks, and fixtures
Clean and polish cabinets (consider professionally painting
dull, dark cabinets)
Remove clutter (toasters, coffee makers, can openers, and
the like) from countertops to make space
Remove personal photos, notes or magnets from refrigerator
Repair any dripping faucets or slow-running drains
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Interior: Bathroom(s)
Probably the second most important room(s) in the house, the
condition of the bathroom(s) speaks volumes to potential buyers
about the condition of the rest of the house…
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Thoroughly clean walls, floors, bathtubs, sinks, toilets, and shower stalls
Use special cleaning products to remove stains from toilets, tiles,
bathtubs, and sinks
Replace old caulking around bathtubs (thoroughly clean grout between
tiles)
Keep all mirrors shining
Unclog drains and repair dripping faucets
Clean and polish dull cabinets and de-clutter any surface tops or storage
areas
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Interior: Fireplace & Storage Areas
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Make sure fireplace is clean (remove ashes, repair or replace old
or broken screens/doors, polish fireplace tools)
Clean and clear out storage areas (attic, basement, garage, etc.),
renting a storage facility if necessary
Ensure adequate lighting in storage areas, especially on stairs
To brighten a gloomy basement, consider painting ceilings and
walls a light color and installing high-wattage bulbs
Repair cracks in the basement floor with concrete patch mix
Clean any oil spills
Stack items neatly and close to the walls so space will look larger
(but not against wall, to allow enough room for viewing)
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Showtime!
Once the property is ready, here are a few tips for making the most of
open houses/viewings:
• Keep draperies and blinds open to let in light
• Turn on all lamps and hallway and stairwell lights; turn on lights in
closets, over counter tops, and cook tops (even during the day)
• At night, turn on porch lights and outdoor lighting
• Add bowls of fresh fruit to kitchen countertops and fresh flowers
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• In the kitchen, create fragrant aromas such as fresh-baked cookies,
brewed coffee, or cinnamon simmering on the stove
• Set the kitchen table with attractive, color-coordinated place mats,
napkins, and china
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General showing tips
continued
• Display fresh, color-coordinated towels and shower curtains in the
bathroom(s)
• Place new soap in all soap dishes
• Remove everyday toiletries/personal effects from visible areas in
bathroom(s)
• Pile logs neatly in fireplace. In summer, nestle fresh, fragrant pine
boughs in the fireplace. In winter, stack logs neatly in the fireplace, or
if at home, consider having a fire crackling in the fireplace
• Play soft background music—no television
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Vacant Homes
Selling a vacant home may require an opposite approach –
adding a little “clutter”! Consider stimulating buyer’s imaginations
and making the property feel less stark with such items as:
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Table settings/placemats/wine glasses
Decorative pillows, candles, floral arrangements
Towels for the bath(s)
Appealing items for shelves and counters
Focus on drawing attention to the best features of the home,
such as the kitchen, fireplaces, and baths
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