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With the recent downturn in the housing market, sellers must avail themselves of every opportunity to attract buyers and get an offer on the table. The amazing thing is that most sellers miss some common sense changes that will encourage an offer on their property. The seller must realize the importance of standing out from the pack, because most neighborhoods have multiple houses to choose from, and there is always someone around more desperate to sell than you are. Consider some simple, inexpensive ways to get an offer on the table.

Remember that first impressions are lasting ones. Always ask yourself how many people simply ride by to check out your For Sale sign, and are not impressed enough to want to come inside. The biggest way to get a contract on your house is to increase the foot traffic. The outside of your house needs to pull people inside.

The yard should be clean and neat. Fill in any gaps in the shrubbery and flowers. Mulch the flower beds and trim the hedges. Make the yard as neat as possible, and arrange the outdoor furniture into neat hide-a-aways for private conversation. Clean out the gutters and touch up the paint on all outside surfaces.

Wash the windows inside and out and place some hanging baskets, if in season, on the porch. Aim for comfort and coziness. Stage the outside to allow potential buyers to see themselves living in your house. No one will ever want to see the wonderful inside of your home unless the outside is welcoming.

Just as the yard is your drawing card to get potential buyers into your house, the living area/entrance should draw the buyer into the house and into the next room. Your house should flow from room to room and should be totally organized and clean. Closets should be organized and arranged properly. Neatness and organized space makes closet space look larger than clutter and chaos.

Give your master bath a spa-like appearance. It should be clean and neat, with counter tops clean and uncluttered. Do not mask odor with chemicals. A clean space will have no smell at all, and does not need air fresheners.

Beds should always be made and clothing put away before leaving the house. Always leave the house in show condition with the understanding with the realtor that all they need to do is call and show. Do not loose traffic because you make it difficult to get an appointment to show your house.

Clean up and organize the garage. Make the space usable, and show possibilities of use for space. Help the customer image doing wood working or hobbies in the space.

Go through the house and remove pictures and other personal items. It is difficult to imagine living in a house when everything you see reminds you that someone else lives there. Removing the items makes it possible for the buyer to picture his own family living and enjoying the space.

Stage every room as though it were a showplace. Arrange cozy seating nooks and conversation areas. Paint all rooms with a neutral color that is attractive and eye catching. Make sure that everything is color coordinated.

Pricing is also important if you hope to get a good offer. Your realtor can do a price comparison of comps in the area and give you a good idea of where to set the price. Remember you will rarely get your asking price and be prepared to come down in order to get a contract.

In the current housing market, remember to use every tool possible to get a sale. Make sure to enlist a good realtor. The percentage you pay for his/her services will be well worth the cost.

Learn more about this author, Dr. Michael Smith.
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