| Did you hear that? Prices of houses in Phoenix have | | | | it’s distracting to the buyer and really takes |
| been jumping 5% each month for 2005 according to | | | | away the beauty of your home. If you can’t part |
| market experts! Some even predict that the price of | | | | with those items, pack them away in boxes. A |
| housing could jump an additional 10% for the upcoming | | | | potential buyer won’t be offended by a few |
| year. The shortage of houses for sales and the still | | | | packed boxes in the house. They most likely are |
| relatively low interest prices are causing the price of | | | | expecting you to be preparing to move anyway. |
| homes not just here in Phoenix but nationwide to | | | | 2. Deodorize. This goes hand-in-hand with cleaning your |
| escalate. What does this mean? If you are thinking | | | | house and removing the clutter. If your house smells, it |
| about selling your home, there is no better time than | | | | won’t sell. If the house has been vacant for a |
| the present. Jump on the bandwagon! | | | | while, there is nothing more offensive to a potential |
| Okay, great, you say. I’ll buy a for-sale-by-owner | | | | buyer than the smell of mildew. Please take care of |
| sign, set it out in the front yard, host an open-house this | | | | the mildew before showing the house. And you |
| weekend. I should have my house sold by the end of | | | | petowners, understand that your precious little pets |
| next week! Well, two months later, that | | | | that you keep indoors are not odor-less. You just have |
| for-sale-by-owner sign is still in the front and you | | | | become accustomed to the smell. A potential buyer |
| don’t have a buyer. Do not think that just | | | | will pick up the pet order immediately. The same is true |
| because there is a shortage of houses for sale, selling | | | | for cigarettes. |
| a house is a piece of cake. It may not as easy as you | | | | 3. Re-paint the house. Okay, you may have enjoyed a |
| think. Instead of using a Realtor, you are determined to | | | | blue kitchen, an orange living room, and a red |
| sell the house yourself. That’s fine and it’s | | | | bathroom. But your potential buyer may not be as |
| possible. People do it all the time; however, what are | | | | cutting-edge. Experts agree that neutral colors are |
| some tips to help you prepare your house to sell. I | | | | best in showcasing your house. Also take a second |
| have done the research and found four minimal-cost | | | | look at the decorations on the wall. Remove anything |
| tips in preparing your sell: | | | | that could be offensive to your potential buyer. |
| 1. Clean-up. The first impression is always the lasting | | | | 4. Embrace the sun. I don’t particularly care for |
| one. You want potential buyers to be impressed the | | | | the Phoenix heat, but I love the sun. It symbolizes |
| moment that they spot your house from the street. | | | | laughter, happiness, brightness, things that are upbeat |
| Everything from the yard, to the windows, to every | | | | and positive. Open the blinds and curtain in your house |
| room inside should be squeaky clean. And if you have | | | | and let the sunshine in! |
| a collection of, well, several collections of…stuff, | | | | |