We've had some good times together, but the time has come for us to go our separate ways. You'll be moving on and I'll stay behind. Yes, it's true, you have outgrown me. Before you walk away, here are a few hints to make our parting filled with more sweet than sorrow:
1. Garage sale, Goodwill or Simply Give Stuff Away: I don't want to look like I'm bursting the seams of every room, closet and drawer. So please help me lighten the load, look sleeker and more spacious by keeping only what fits. Once that excess baggage is gone you'll be surprised at how roomy I can still look.
2. Cover the Walls (and scuff marks, crayon marks and fingerprints) with a Fresh Coat of Paint: Paint is to walls as botox is to wrinkles. There's nothing like fresh paint for an instant lift. Dollar for dollar it is one of the best pre-sale investments you can make. Go neutral but not boring. There are some gorgeous taupes, vanillas and milky whites shades of paint. Every room does not have to be white. Show off my best architectural features with a shade lighter or darker in the same color family. After the painting is finished scrub, polish and shine the rest of the house. You may be surprised to discover your old house can still turn more than a few heads.
3. Now Don't Get Emotional, You Want Someone Else to Fall in Love with Me: I know I'm looking so good you are having second thoughts about leaving, but you know in your heart we are no longer right for each other. I appreciate your help in making me as attractive as possible for my next owner, but I know it serves you well too. Your extra efforts will put more cash in your pocket at the closing table. A house with curb appeal and interior pzazz will often sell sooner, and for more money, than a neglected "as is" wall flower. You did the right thing and can leave with your head held high, plus the extra cash will come in handy when it's time to dress up your new place.
4. Deferred Maintenance Will Get You One Way or Another: Fix it now, or pay later either with a cash credit or repairs prior to the close of escrow. My roof is patched and showing its age and yes, those leaky faucets are still dripping away. I'll show so much better with those problems gone.
Ok, I see that admiring look in your eyes, you're pretty pleased with my results aren't you?
Together we were quite a team, and moving forward will be so much easier with a little effort before the "For Sale" sign goes in the ground.
Find more tips for home sellers on my Seller's Tips page.
Norma Toering & Team RE/MAX Palos Verdes Realty
(310) 493-8333 / Office Phone: (310) 831-0800
South Bay Los Angeles cities I sell real estate, property, houses and homes in: Palos Verdes Estates, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Long Beach, Torrance, Lomita, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach.
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Norma,
Ah, the value of having a "stager" on call.
Don't get emotional is a good one. I was just recently told by a realtor partner that the client wouldn't remove any artwork (which was by the way still in plastic with no frames and on the wall with tape) because they were too important to remove.
Terry - looking at your property with a seller's eye instead of an owner's eye can be a call to action.
Very creative and fun post with great advice built in. I loved it.
Intergrity Mortage Funding Guy: Those emtions can be a challenge to deal with, and the definition of art is always a personal one.
Thanks Treva! Sometimes you have to leave all this seriousness behind and have a little fun with a post and life.
Creative way to remind us of the basics in "preparation to sell".
Great tips-you are right as we are fixing up our homes to sell we do get second thoughts-I did.
Norma, I love the paint-Botox analogy! I may steal it for my pre-fix up marketing information.
Norma, what a great way to put it -- having the house saying goodbye! It's all true, and this way doesn't have to come from us. I will be sharing this with my sellers. Thank you!!!!
I was taken with your title first and inspired. Agree with comments on creativity of your post. Wish my uncooperative sellers would listen to these very basic things they need to do. It's so simple yet so hard for them to understand or perform. Maybe if their house really could talk to them.................
Great blog, I like the approach you took on it. I am nominating this one for a feature.
Li, thanks and a new twist to an old message keeps it from sounding like a broken record.
Pat, yes sometimes it is hard to let go, especially when it's dressed for sale.
Patricia - Use the botox/paint analogy anywhere your heart desires.
Marney - I was looking for a fresh way to say the same old thing. Hope it helps with your sellers.
Anice - Sometimes a little humor will get the point across more effectively.
David, why thank you very much. It was fun to write and I'm glad you enjoyed it.
Very fun post! Thanks it was a bright spot to my morning and so so true! I'll share this with my sellers!
Well written post and right on the money. This will be a good one to sent to your prospective and/or current listings.
Norma, this was an entertaining way of getting to the point without offending the client! Way to go!!
I love your approach to such a challenging topic! Very cute and fun to read while making very valid points!
Great idea for a post. Staging is so key, and spending a little money upfront makes a huge difference down the road with offers. A lot of people don't process this, but it is so true, I do my best to impart it to sellers!
Great analogy to use in making your point. By the way, how do I put a "SEARCH HOMES" button on my blogs as you have? That would be useful, I'd love to hear back from you on this Norma.
Thank you....I;ll be waiting by the keyboard EM: sold@patricia4realestate.com
Patricia Aulson/Portsmouth NH Real Estate
I love the approach and certain a good way to approach the sellers. "Don't get emotional" and I thank you for allow the reblog.
Its amazing how homes are neglected when we live in them and spruced of just before we put them on the market. I have asked my self,Why didn't,t I do this sooner and enjoy it more?
Every buyer I work with has a 10 factor. If they see something that needs repaired they take an amount and multiply it by 10. Do you remember that old commerical for changing oil in your car before the engine seizes up with the tag line "Pay me now, or pay me later"?
Norma, thank you for the creative way of addressing these matters. When I started reading, I thought for sure you were a home stager. And, your last item hinted at home inspections.
Excellent post! Every seller needs to read this!
Norma, what a nice reminder in a gentle way. All houses need some TLC before putting on the market for sale.
Norma, I love the way you get the point across. Well said.
A good friend of mine had an inherited home from her father. She didn't see the place until it was under contract and she went to make the final arrangements. She fell for the place but it was too late.
Sometimes it takes leaving to know how much you loved a place. But, if you don't proceed to your next stop then you will never know how much more wonderful it can be.
Norma, What a nonthreatening way to talk about what needs done, Have the house talk.
I think some Sellers start out in denial. It's called not even seeing the house. I know I was blind to some of my own house flaws when I first put a house on the market several years ago. I had forgotten how tacky the dog scratches were on the garage door until someone had the nerve to ask if they were going to be repaired.
I enjoyed this approach using humor, not positive everybody understands botox in West Texas but that may be because I don't have any wrinkles, ...told you I was in denial!
Your blog and your profile page are inspirational! I think I need to do a makeover on mine. I can see why this was reblogged - very good job.
Very nice tone and way to communicate with clients without being dictatorial and raising their defenses. The real estate business is all about communication, and seller have to understand the "why" of what is asked of them to get the maximum dollar and quick sale.
What a cute way to get the idea across without making the seller mad! Very nice!
Excellent, we all need to think of new ways to go about doing our job, and it always helps to think outside the box.
Cheers,
Tap
www.TeamTapper.com
To this day I simply cannot understand why homeowners choose NOT to maintain their home. I try to send out little reminders and various things they can do around the house to help keep it somewhat maintained but in the end, it's up to them.
I think the biggest issue are the air filters not changed for years. Simply amazing!
Norma - I really enjoyed this post. I like # 3 - don't get emotional.
These are great tips and very cleverly written. I've had clients wonder after all the work done if they really want to move. . .
Lisa - Another point of view can be refreshing.
Mark - Most sellers already know what needs to be done, they just need a friendly nudge to get it done.
Caren - Sellers need to understand 'what's in it for them' before they spend time and money fixing up a house they are leaving behind.
Jeani - It's fun to try a new approach every once in awhile.
Tom - Staging, painting, repairs and other pre-sale changes often pay huge dividends.
Patricia - Check your email.
Charles - You're welcome!
Rob - I think that's a common question once sellers see what a big difference little changes make.
Joe - Good point, and one I will remember to share with sellers.
Andrew - Yes, I decided to approach it from a different angle.
Chris - Feel free to share it with your sellers.
Regina - Yes a little TLC makes a big difference.
Hello, another Norma. Good to see you here. Where was the picture on the camel taken? I also have one taken in Turkey? I'll have to post someday. I used it for a Christmas card and then used the caption. "Not just wise men rise camels"
Hi Norma -- Price and condition are always the two most important aspects, and you nailed it!
If a home could talk that's what he/she would say for certain!
Marian - Just a different way to say the same thing--the important thing is getting the sellers to act on the advice.
Sabrina - That's exactly what I'm talking about.
Beverly - We do become blind to the flaws of our own home. You love the dog that made those scratch marks, the new buyer does not.
Georgina - Thank you and I appreciate the comment on the blog and profile--hours and hours of work to get it to where it is--and it's still a work in progress.
Joe - You are so right about the sellers needing to understand the "why" of what they are asked to do.
Kristi - Humor is a great way to approach a delicate task.
David - I find a box to be a very confining space.....
Russell - I think I'll go check my air filter....I think I changed it last fall. I do agree it is easier to keep up with maintenance as it is needed rather than to play catch up just before it's time to sell.
Sharon - The emotional thing can get out of hand--I once had a seller tell me she was thinking of taking her house off the market because she did not want to move away from her favorite grocery store.
Thanks for the comment and I hope all is well in Florida.
Norma, Your talking house makes a lot of sense especially that de-cluttering part.