VIRGIL E. EAVES JR., BROKER TREC LIC#0234039

Licensed to do business in Texas and nowhere else.

WHY HASN'T MY HOME SOLD?...

....OR WHAT THE HECK DO I DO TO DO GET MY HOME READY FOR THE MARKET?

Do it or not. It's your call.  If you don't, it WILL cost you...

By:  Virgil E. Eaves Jr., Broker

OK, back off.  Get a new perspective.  Be honest.  If you are not honest with yourself, it WILL cost you.  Take a buyer's look at your house.  Buyers are looking for the perfect home for their needs. You may have to wait for a buyer that is a good fit for your house.  If you play your cards right, you'll get top dollar. Your home will NOT fill every potential buyer's needs, so don't freak out if the first or second lookers don't buy.  Once the 15th looker in 30 days doesn't make an offer, you can be reasonably assured that you have at least some degree of a problem.   Buyers are looking for a home that is appealing, easy to maintain, in great condition, and free of defects.  That doesn't mean it has to be brand new.  Get in your car.  Take a drive around the neighborhood and pay special attention to the homes in the general area of yours.  Now drive by your  house.  Be honest with yourself.  If you're not, it WILL cost you.  How does your house rate in the neighborhood?  Here is a truth.  If buyers don't get out of the car, they won't buy your house.  We want them to get out of the car.  Let's start with a critique of the negatives (biggest priority):  How are the flower beds and landscaping?  Do the trees and shrubs need trimming?  How does the grass compare?  Buy some fertilizer, weed & feed, some watering timers and some hoses.  Is there a flower bed?  Is it "fresh" looking?  Buy a few landscape timbers, a few bags of mulch, a dozen or two of bedding plants and borrow uncle Jack's tiller...or just use a shovel and a rake.  Is it spotlessly clean inside and out?  Are the windows spotless?  Take a week or two to clean it if necessary or hire someone to do it.  If you can't find anyone, call us.  We can refer you to folks who do that.  It will pay off.  Is there an old ragged doghouse in the back yard?  Buy a new one that you can take with you or get just get rid of the old one.  Is there gray wood  on the home, fences, shed or anywhere?  Paint it or lose it.  Has Bouser or your weedeater damaged the siding?  Fix it.  Does Bouser jump up on everyone, bark bigtime or try to bite?  Send him on vacation to a relative or at least keep him in the back yard with warning signs on the doors and gates to that area.  Is that old car battery you changed out still sitting around?  Take it to a retailer or mechanic who sells batteries.  It doesn't cost a dime to leave them.  You paid for that when you bought the battery!  Tires?  Take them to the tire dealer.  Broken toys or other clutter?  You get the idea.  Get rid of it.  Is the paint still fresh looking?  Is there mildew, mold, powdering or peeling?  Bleach it, power wash it, paint it, FIX IT.  Paint is usually the most cost effective thing you can do to increase your return.  Are there any smells other than none, cinnamon, lemon, vanilla, spring breeze or other pleasant odors?  Air it out, bleach it out, deodorize it, clean it up.  Is everything in good repair?  Buyers think "If that is wrong, what else is wrong?  Fix it.  If your house is manufactured, is the skirting and decking in good shape, recently stained/sealed?  Is there mildew on the vinyl siding?  Bleach in a 5% solution and a mop or broom works wonders on siding, sidewalks and driveways.  If the driveway or garage has oil stains, head down to the auto parts place or Walmart and spray them with "Engine Bright" per the directions.  Cat litter and a short piece of 2X 4 lumber to grind it with is harder work, but will take out the oil stains on driveways & garage floors.    Do you have lots of pictures or "whatsits" on the inside walls?  Pack em.  You'll be that far ahead when you move and, at the same time, you'll give buyers the opportunity to visualize their stuff instead of yours.  Is the inside paint fairly neutral? Neutral is NOT pink, purple, lime green or pastel or little Suzy's & Johnny's idol posters.  Paint it a neutral color like light beige or white with white ceilings.  It will make the room feel larger.  Does the carpet look new?  If not, have it cleaned or replace it.  Don't go into denial...if it doesn't work, or it looks bad, get real.  It needs repaired, removed or replaced!  If you don't, it will cost you.  Let there be light!  Open the blinds, pull the curtains back, brighten the house!  This is important...and cheap.  Bright homes psychologically convey the message that this is a happy place.  Dark says "unhappy" and "depressed".  Light colors, light coming in, lights on.  Do it.  If your house has been on the market for 45 days and hasn't had an offer, you may have a price problem.  There are only two things that keep you from a sale.  Those two things are price and exposure.  If your home has been on the market with an experience agent, it is in the MLS, yard sign up, print media running and you haven't had an offer, your price is too high.  When your price is too high, you have two choices.  You can bring the value up to the price or bring the price down to the value.  If you don't, it'll cost you.  You can still sell...for less, but it will cost you.

CALL TODAY!

Phone (512)321-7117 or (512)303-2112 Metro

(512)303-9902 FAX

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