"De-Personalize" It - Getting the House Ready to Sell

When conversing with real estate agents, you will often find that when they talk to you about buying real estate, they will refer to your purchase as a "home." Yet if you are selling property, they will often refer to it as a "house." There is a reason for this. Buying real estate is often an emotional decision, but when selling real estate you need to remove emotion from the equation.

You need to think of your house as a marketable commodity. Property. Real estate. Your goal is to get others to see it as their potential home, not yours. If you do not consciously make this decision, you can inadvertently create a situation where it takes longer to sell your property.

There are many factors to consider when selling a home. Normally you don't just wake up one day, call Realtor Norm, and have him come out a put the "For Sale" sign up. You may find it helpful to start reading through the list of articles listed below.

Selling Your Home
Getting Your House Ready to Sell
Disconnect Your Emotions
Make Your House "Anonymous"
The First Step - Removing Clutter
The Most Important Room in the House
The Rest of the House
Fixing Up the House Interior
Cost of Repairs
Plumbing & Fixtures
Ceiling, Walls & Painting
Carpets & Flooring
Windows & Doors
A "Sensitive" Topic
Fixing Up Outside the House
Landscaping
Is Painting Required?
The Front Entryway
The Back Yard

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Want to Start Off With a High Sales Price?
When You Meet With Agents
A Sales Practice Called "Buying a Listing"
What Happens Behind the Scenes
Dropping Your Price -- Too Late
Realtors Talk to One Another About Your Agent

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Types of Listing Contracts
Open Listings
One-time Show
Exclusive Agency Listings
Exclusive Right to Sell

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Details of a Listing Contract
Price and Terms of Sale
Real Estate Commission
Multiple Listing Service
Agency and Salesperson Responsibilities
The Lockbox
Resolving Disputes with Your Agent

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Listing Commissions and Related Issues
About Commissions
Some Commission-Related Questions
How and When the Commission is Earned

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The Listing Agent & Basic Marketing
The "Real" Role of a Listing Agent
The "For Sale" Sign
Flyers and the Brochure Box

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The Listing Agent - Marketing Your House to Other Agents
The Multiple Listing Service
Office Preview
Broker Preview
Sending Flyers to Agents
Marketing Sessions

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The Listing Agent - Marketing Your House to Homebuyers
The Purpose of Advertising in General
Real Estate Office Advertising
Individual Agent Advertising
Open Houses

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Showing Your House to Home Buyers
Convenience & Availability
Why You Should Not be Home
Lighting
Fragrances
Pet Control
The Kitchen Trash
Tidiness Counts
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