TIP #5 Exposure

Expose-Your Home to the WORLD

It’s the World Wide Web.   Don’t let it be a secret that your home is for sale.  If you are depending on an Open House or a Sign and drive-by, you are marketing to less than 1% of prospects. On the Multiple Listing Service, you are exposing your home to the world.   The more prospects, the more showings; the more showings, the more offers, and that gives you the opportunity to a greater Purchase Price.   Your listing is fed into tens of thousands of other websites.   I’m ecstatic that my listings at Keller Williams Realty are automatically syndicated to more than 900 primary Real Estate sites and get fed into thousands of Realtor websites. They even have their own MLS--KWLS, in addition to using the MLS.

By Christi Cash, Realtor, Keller Williams of the Palm Beaches (561) 351-0912 *  CashChristi@gmail.com

TIP #3 The first Impression may be the most Important

And what is the FIRST Impression?

It has been reported that the first impressions of a home may be the decision making one.   If it’s a home, it starts with the landscaping and the exterior, so don’t be ruled out by a drive-by: Spruce up the yard, add a few flowers, get rid of the weeds, and if your home needs paint, start with the door and jams and keep going if you have the budget.  The prospect may have to wait at your door, so be sure it’s clean of dirt, cobwebs, and mold.   In the case of a condo, it may be the lobby or entrance.  Encourage your Board of Directors and Manager to keep the property neat and update when necessary.  Next, they’re inside your home and standing at the entrance, so make the most of this opportune time.  Here is where they make a VERY important decision.   You know that feeling (a gut feeling).   Go ahead and try it—Stand at your entrance and put yourself in the Buyer’s shoes—would you be excited about this home?   Create a warm and welcome--a place where someone wants to come in (and see more).   If it looks cluttered standing at the entrance, this is the tone you are setting.  

If you live in Palm Beach County or Pinellas County, and would like a complementary walk-thru and suggestions how to make your home, town home or condo, more sell-able, contact Christi Cash at 561.351.0912 or email CashChristi@gmail.com

TIP #3 How Important is the Description

How important is the DESCRIPTION of the home on MLS and my Brochure?

If they get past the pictures and decide they may be interested in YOUR home, the description may be very important.  Again, they may rule your property OUT--or it’s IN!  There are times you may want to be mysterious to entice a buyer to come out and see your home.   Other times, it may be a good idea to stand out amongst the “crowd” of homes on the internet.   A great marketing person can tell a great story or paint a picture of what sounds like a great home or value and may want list details of the community.  If your home has many renovations or upgrades, you may want to brag.  When I have a Seller that has a long list of upgrades, I attach a spreadsheets to MLS and staple one to their brochure.  Consider a professional with some good writing skills.  At least be sure the spelling and manufacture names are correct.  Some Agents have Business and/or Marketing Degrees and others have taken classes for Certifications and Continuing Education Credits, such as “Luxury Home Marketing”.  If you need a list of questions to ask a Realtor or would like my Resume to compare to a Realtor you would like to interview, email me at CashChristi@gmail.com

by Christi Cash, LLC, "Luxury Home Marketing" and "Waterfront Specialist" Certifications.

Tip #2 A Property is Sold More Than Once

A property is sold more than once (before the Contract).  How’s that? 

On the internet--It's all about the Pictures--and especially the first picture.  We first sell your property to a Buyer or a Buyer’s Agent by the pictures that we post.  If a prospect isn’t  excited by the pictures, you may never get a showing.   How important are the pictures?  Pictures say a thousand words.   A Buyer or Buyer’s Agent must decide amongst hundreds of listings which ones to go and personally see .   We can stage a home for pictures and/or we can stage your home for upcoming showings.  Yes, just like a fashion photo shoot.  Make it look great—at least for the pictures.    

If you can budget a Professional Stager, it’s often money well-spent.  Our intent is to invest and recoup at least double and as much as 10 times the staging investment.  There are times when it is necessary to stage just to get a showing or an offer.  Although it cost more to stage a vacant home than a furnished home, I recently listed a home we staged inexpensively by simply renting furniture from Cort and using their decorator (saving the original staging fee.)   This listing had expired with another Agent and we had it under contract in less than 60 days.  Although I have a “Realtor Staging Certification” and my staging services are free, it is not the same as a Full-time Stager. Some homes require a Professional Stager with furniture or contracts with stores.   If you would spend money to detail your car for sale, why wouldn’t you invest in a Stager or at least a Professional Organizer?   I’ll provide Staging tips in an upcoming blog post.  If you would like the "Staging Tips" booklet emailed to you free of charge, email me: CashChristi@gmail.com

By Realtor Christi Cash, LLC, ASP, Accredited Staging Professional

Stay tuned for the other part of Promotion:   How Important is The Description of Your Home

My New Year's Resolution...To Be a "Go-Giver" and Give Assistance to Every Home Seller.

GOAL--To Post and share Real Estate Ideas I've learned over my 10 years of Listing and Selling Real Estate.   These ideas work!  How do I know?  Because I was the Top Listing and Selling Agent two consecutive years at Keller Williams Gulfside and have over 2 dozen awards.  I've spent over 1,000 hours in training and coaching.  Why would I share some of my top secrets?  When you or a family member need a professional, I hope you will think of me.  Christi Cash (561) 351-0912  CashChristi@gmail.com  

TIP #1

"The way we live in a home is not the way we SELL a home."*  That doesn't mean you have to make it look just like the model homes at "NEW" construction communities. But that is a great goal! What it does mean if that you need to have it Q-Tip Clean and de-cluttered.   When I take a listing, the first thing I do (along with the Sellers) is a "Walk-thru". At this point, we take note of what may be distracting to a buyer--unpleasant pet odors, personal items including toiletries, an abundance of "stuff", and furniture placed that may inhibit a nice flow (traffic) pattern. I'm sometimes amazed that a Seller will spend time and money to detail a car for sale, but neglects this important detail when putting their home on the market. This is just as important for the photography on MLS and the other 900+ syndicated websites, as it is for the actual showings.

Which leads me to my next tip...stayed tuned.   by Christi Cash, LLC, Realtor

 I just read "Go-Giver" and highly recommend the book especially if you are a Business Owner or a Salesperson.  And this is my beginning of a  year of "Giving" first.   

* StagedHomes.com Motto, where I received my Realtor Staging Certification.