| Selling Your Home | A Great Showing |
| Rewards | Room by Room |
| Challenges | Final Details |
| Realtor Representation | Negotiating The Offer |
Selling Your Home in MN
Easing the Home Selling Transition
From preparing your home to setting the price to showing your property to prospective buyers, the Cheryl Brenna Group will guide you through the entire process.
Importance of Pricing
Correctly pricing your property is crucial. Price your home too low and you'll lose money; price it too high and buyers may not even bother to put it on their list of homes to see. The Cheryl Brenna Group will advise you on present market conditions and will do a competitive market analysis of your home, which will help you determine the value of your property.
Marketing Your Home to Sell
Effective advertising and marketing are essential when selling your home. From descriptive, colorful marketing materials to professional virtual tours, the Cheryl Brenna Group has what it takes to attract potential buyers. We know that promotional marketing works best when the home is priced right and properly prepared, when you are favorably positioned in your price range, and when you take into account the current competition and financing climate.
Before You Show
Never underestimate the power of a positive showing. There's no doubt about it: The investments that you make in preparing your home for sale will affect the buyer’s impression — from first glimpse through multiple viewings. The Cheryl Brenna Group's unique Home Composing Services can give you simple and cost-effective ways to ready your home for a showing.
Rewards of Home SellingUpsizing? Downsizing? Moving to another community or out of state? Time for a lifestyle change? Whatever the reason you have decided to sell, it’s exciting to start a new adventure. Remember that the Internet is an amazing resource for any property seller. Potential buyers are apt to check there before they ever begin to actually look at homes. For that reason, the Cheryl Brenna Group has invested in positioning itself to best showcase your home on the Web. We understand how critical it is to create a strong Web presence so consumers can find your home. And we're better able to attract those looking to buy, using a descriptive write-up, professional photos, and a beautiful virtual tour. The result: Your home will be on their short list of homes to see! |
Challenges of Home Selling
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Woodbury Realtor Representation
The Value of a Minnesota Real Estate Group
Selling a home can be one of the most stressful and emotional events in your life. That is why we believe it takes more than marketing and strategy to make a truly successful home sale. It takes passion and a genuine time investment to ensure that homeowners have the best experience possible. It is for these very reasons along with the climate of the industry that homeowners feel it is to their best advantage to have a full-time professional real estate team represent them. The Cheryl Brenna Group will guide you every step of the way.
Money Talks - Price Your Home to Sell
Today’s seller must be well informed. Price your property too high and even the most serious prospective buyer will be deterred; underprice it and it may sell quickly — but to the detriment of your net proceeds. Do your homework. There are many factors that will affect the original listing price and the final selling price.
The following should help you determine what to expect.
- How does the price of your home compare to homes in your neighborhood & community?
- What is the square footage & design of your home? The layout? The condition?
- Where is your home located?
- Does your home have updated amenities that buyers are seeking?
- What will your home appraise for?
- Does the current market favor sellers or buyers?
- How many homes are on the market in your price range and how does your home compare?
A Great Home Showing
It’s hard to let go. The roots run deep. The personal touches you’ve added to your home year after year are just right — for you.
But remember this: It takes only seconds for prospective buyers to form an impression. When preparing your home for sale, it’s important to create a neutral, inviting environment — one where buyers can picture themselves. Our Home ComposingSM team knows what buyers are looking for. We don’t get bogged down in an emotional attachment. We do create meaningful spaces buyers can’t resist! Give us the chance and watch us transform your home into a buyer’s showplace.
First Impressions are All Too Important
The way you initially present your property can make all the difference toward the successful sale of your home. "Curb appeal" is essential, since from the time they first drive up to your address, buyers react very strongly to the exterior condition of your home and the look of your yard.
Give them a first impression they won't soon forget. The decision to buy is often made within the first minute of seeing a home!
- Maintain an impeccable front entry.
- Paint or stain your front door and update trim.
- Have a clean, manicured lawn. (Fertilizing and watering make the grass greener).
- Tidy up: Put tools, lawn mower, and toys away, coil hoses neatly, and park your vehicles in the garage.
- Trim shrubs and hedges. Add seasonal plantings, potted plants and colorful flowers.
- Wash decks and porches. It is important to stain or paint them if they are showing signs of wear.
- Update your exterior light fixtures. Paint them or buy new ones.
- If your front door hardware is worn, replace it.
- All exterior lights should be operational and turned on for all showings.
- Windows should work properly — and sparkle!
- Clean out gutters and downspouts.
- Walkways should be swept clean. And during winter, they must be free of snow and ice.
Make certain that no one visiting your home risks falling on a slippery sidewalk or driveway. - Be sure to close your garage door when you leave for showings.
Welcome to Our Home
Buyers don't always have a vision — so help them. It is extremely important to maintain an impeccable home. You want potential buyers to have an immediate sense of Pride of Ownership! Read on for some minor investments that may produce major returns.
Paint
When it comes to preparing a house, painting is the least expensive way to create a neutral, updated look. And it gives you the best return for money spent. The Cheryl Brenna Group is happy to suggest excellent people in the trade. You can also update your trim with a fresh new coat of paint!
Flooring
At the very least, all carpeting needs to be steam cleaned. A one-time professional steam cleaning will go a long way toward creating a positive feeling. If your carpet is worn or stained — or if there are odors that could be perceived as a negative by buyers and their agents — it should be a replaced. The same holds true for any flooring that is cracked or damaged or shows extensive scratches due to pets. (Sometimes just buffing the floors will do the trick.) Again, we have a fantastic company that we highly recommend.
Get Rid of Clutter
Go through your house like you have never seen it before. Take everything out of a room and start by bringing it back in piece by piece until you are satisfied. Pack away all excess items. Each room should be inviting and interesting not cluttered and overwhelming. Remember…less is more!
Closets
Closets must be neat, clean, organized and fresh smelling.
Cleaning
There is no such thing as having your home too clean. Buyers will more than likely be looking at many homes, including new-construction properties. To make a good impression, dust, wash, wax or polish everything. Do your "Spring Cleaning” even in the winter! Every room should shine including the windows, door knobs and fixtures. Have a professional team if you don’t have time to coordinate every detail.
Lights
Clean the light fixtures and make sure the bulbs work. And if your fixtures are dated, replace them with ones that are new and fashionable. It shows buyers that you have continued to update your home.
Windows
Cracked windows? Broken hardware? Replace! Windows must sparkle and allow the natural sunlight to flow throughout the interior of your home.
Accents
Update older furniture with new pillows and throws. Group and arrange items that compliment and play off of each others color, height and texture. Be mindful of the fine line between effective accenting and visual clutter.
Accessories
Freshen up with new accessories. For example, you can update cabinets with new hardware and brighten bathrooms with new towels. New shower curtains are a must!
Scents
The nose knows! The way your home smells can be a very important factor. Light, clean and "homey” scents can be subtle yet substantial tools you can use to influence a potential buyer.
Plants and Flowers
Plants and flowers are as effective indoors as they are out, adding a fresh, nurturing atmosphere to any home. You can fill empty spaces with colorful plants and flowers. They also add architectural shapes and a sense of life to any room.
Landscape
Mow and trim your lawn. Trim shrubs and hedges for a neat, clean look. Seasonal plantings add color and a sense of "home”.
Room by Room Tips Home Selling Tips
Be sure to do the following for every showing:
Front Entry:
Bedrooms:
Living Room, Family Room, Office:
Storage Areas:
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Kitchen — the Hot Spot of the Home:
Bathrooms:
Hint: Flowery scents have a tendency to overpower the space and create a negative effect. Clean scents are extremely popular and enhance any space in your home — kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, family room. |
Final Home Selling Details
Showing Ready
Most of the time, you will be given at least a couple of hours' notice before a showing — time enough to add these small but important finishing touches to make your home a standout. Hint: If your home is not show ready, don't allow the showing.
Let There Be Light
While your home is on the market, turning all interior and exterior lights on creates a warm and welcoming glow day and night. Remember – windows need to sparkle!
Home Alone
Prospective buyers may feel uncomfortable if you are there during a showing. Take a walk, run errands, go shopping or take the kids to the park and allow the Realtor the opportunity to speak freely with buyers and emphasize your home’s best features. If you cannot leave, please remain out of sight and do not accompany the buyers from room to room. You want them to spend time picturing their furniture and belongings in the space and imagining how they would arrange their things. Create a comfort zone where the buyer can make a personal connection with your home.
Talking Scents
The sense of smell has the ability to evoke powerful feelings and memories — good and bad. It has more influence than you might think. Light, clean, and "homey” scents can be subtle but substantial tools you can use to influence a potential buyer. Aromatherapy candles, potpourri, oils, sprays, and plug-ins are effective, but be very careful to not overdo it. Heavy, perfumy scents should be avoided. Consumers respond most favorably to light, clean aromas, as well as spicy ones such as cinnamon.
Waste Gone
When you empty the kitchen trash and any other wastebaskets before a showing, you are creating a positive impression.
Creature Comforts
Make sure the thermostat is set so the house is at a comfortable temperature. You want buyers and their agents to spend time in your home and not leave quickly because it is too cold or too hot. Turn off the television and turn on soft, melodious music.
Pets
Out of sight, out of mind! It is best to take your pets with you while your home is being shown. If that is not possible, make sure they are restricted to an area where they won’t be in the way. And remember, some potential buyers may be allergic to animals.
Negotiating the Offer
Once you receive an offer on your home, you will choose to either accept the price and terms or you will make a counteroffer. This should be done in as timely of a manner as possible in order to prevent the buyer from withdrawing their offer.
Any changes to a contract require written approval by all parties to be fully executed. It is important to understand that any changes made to the original purchase agreement could potentially lead to either you or the buyers deciding to not move forward with the offer.
A Successful Closing
To put it simply, the best and last part of the home-selling process is the closing. It is the time between signing the purchase contract (after an agreement on price and terms has been reached) and the day the deed is actually recorded and the title transferred. Once everything is signed, then escrow closes and your home is sold.
Planning Your Move
Moving can be one of the most stressful and emotional events in your life. The Cheryl Brenna Group offer you the following information to assist you as you plan your upcoming move.
Before leaving, stop services on:
- Cable TV/Internet
Telephone - Water
- Gas/Electric
- Dry Cleaning
- Newspaper
- Lawn Services
- Keep Personal Insurance
Change addresses for:
- Magazines
- Friends/Relatives
- Insurance Companies
- Credit Cards
To Do:
- Transfer bank account, empty safe deposit box
- Buy tarvelers checks to cover expenses
- Notify local post office of forwarding address
Moving Day:
- Make arrangements for child/pet care
- Assemble moving kit
- Make arrangements for meals
