Selling My Home 

Enlisting a professional real estate agent is the most reliable and easiest way to sell your home quickly and at the best price. As a homeowner, there are steps you can take to smooth the process and make it even more timely. You can play an important role in selling your home faster.

1. How Your Agent Can Help You
   Scheduling showings through your CENTURY 21 Executive Properties real estate professional's office simplifies the process and improves the results.
2. You Only Get One First Impression
   A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clutter-free porch with a freshly-painted front door do wonders to welcome prospects. Rake leaves in the fall or shovel the snow in winter. Try to minimize the number of obstacles between potential buyers and the appeal of your home.
3. A Little Work Goes A Long Way
   You'd be surprised what a little cleaning up can do for your home. Pick up the clutter in the living room, the bathroom, and the kitchen. If your paint is fading or the woodwork is scuffed, consider some minor refurbishing. A bit of fresh wallpaper or a simple border can change a whole room. If you’re worried about time constraints, hire professionals to clean or paint your house. Remember, even if prospects plan to redecorate after they move in, it's a lot easier to imagine the potential of a clutter-free, well-kept home than one that "needs work."
4. Check Your Faucets and Bulbs
   Don’t let small problems detract from what’s great about your home. Dripping water suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing and discolors sinks. Burnt-out bulbs keep your potential buyers in the dark and make your home seem uninviting.
5. Don’t Shut Out Buyers With A Stuck Door
   Sticking cabinet or closet doors will also stick in a prospect's mind. All it takes is a little planing to fix the problem.
6. Make Your Home Hazard-Free
   Homeowners grow accustomed to certain dangers in their houses — low-hanging light fixtures, jutting-out furniture, electric cords in walking areas — that are accidents waiting to happen. You may be used to these perils, but remember your prospects are not. Ensure that your home is free of potential mishaps.
7. Show Off Living And Storage Space
   Remember that potential buyers are not only looking for comfortable living space; they're looking for storage space, too. Be sure your attic, basement, and shed are clean and free of any unnecessary items.
8. Closet Organization Is Key
   Better-organized closets appear larger and more spacious. Now’s the perfect time to pack up those unwanted clothes and donate them to a local thrift shop or charity. Keep other items in boxes neatly placed on shelves or closet organizers.
9. Make Your Bathroom Shine
   Let your bathrooms sparkle! Cleaning is the first step; scrub away any unsightly residue or mold to make the fixtures look new again. Then check and repair the tubs and showers for damaged caulking. And show off your best towels, bath mats, and shower curtains to give the bathroom allure.
10. Creating Dream Bedrooms
    The bedroom is often one of the deciding factors when choosing a home, so give it the attention it deserves. Remove excess furniture to make the room seem more spacious. Coordinate bedspreads and window treatments to give a bedroom a more cohesive look.
11. Pull Back The Curtains
    Don't hide away in the shadows! Open your curtains and drapes so prospects can see how bright and cheery your home is with the light streaming in.
12. Nighttime Lights
    When showing your home in the evening, turn on all your inside and outside lights to create excitement. Lights make potential buyers feel welcome and add color and warmth to your home.
13. Secure Your Pets
    Pets have a tendency to get underfoot and may get in the way during a showing. Make sure your cats or dogs have a safe and comfortable spot outside of the home to relax while prospects are there.
14. Keep The Volume Low
    Don't make prospects shout over a speaker — turn the volume down on your stereo or TV.
15. Your Home Is Not A Second-Hand Store
    Prospects are coming to look at your home — not the furnishings you no longer need. Don't distract them with offers to sell your belongings, or you might lose the opportunity for a closing.
16. Keep It Small
    When prospects come to look at a home filled with people, they may feel like intruders. As a result, they may hurry through instead of really stopping to take in all your home has to offer. Keep the number of people present to a minimum.
17. Be Relaxed
    Buyers want to view your home with as little distraction as possible. Be friendly and available, but don't try to force conversation.
18. Stay In The Background
    Your realtor will have a much easier time articulating the qualities of your home if you keep a low profile. While it's true that nobody knows your home as well as you do, it's also true that realtors know what buyers need and want.
19. Don't Apologize!
    Never apologize for your home's shortcomings, no matter how humble it may be. If a prospect makes a derogatory comment about your home's appearance, do not respond with a comment or apology. Instead, let your real estate professional handle the situation.
20. Defer to Knowledge and Experience
    Let prospects speak to an expert — your CENTURY 21 Executive Properties Real Estate professional — if they want to talk price, terms, or any other real estate matters.