The August real estate market is, per usual, very very slow.  But, hopefully, it will (as it usually does) pick after summer and summer vacations are over.  So, for those of you who have been trying to sell your home but haven’t done so so far, or who are thinking of putting your home on the market next month, now’s a good time to take some simple but important steps that will help make you home sell quicker, easier, and for the best price possible.

·        First, make certain prospective buyers can find your home.  How?  Be sure your home’s street numbers are easily visible both during the day and at night (.i.e. make them large, and lit), and, if feasible, place a “For Sale” sign out front. 

·        Clean up your home's exterior and interior – touch up peeling paint, replace cracked windows, clean or remove stained rugs, trim the lawn and the shrubs, and, remove all clutter before you put it on the market.  If you live in a condo or co-op, press the management board to clean both the exterior and the interior common areas.

·        Hiring someone to make small repairs is OK, but don’t spend money on expensive improvements such as a Jacuzzi, sauna or swimming pool, before you sell.  While certainly nice, such improvements seldom return their cost when you sell.  There are, however, three exceptions.  Spending money to upgrade your kitchen and/or bath, or to paint the property’s interior and/or, if it needs it, painting the exterior will, if done economically, usually add to your net gain when you sell.

·        Be certain your home’s interior is as bright as possible by cleaning all of your windows – inside and out. Also, add lamps to rooms that get little natural light, paint smaller and darker rooms white or off white, and keep all shades and curtains open and all lights on (even during the day) when the property is being shown to prospective buyers.

·        Make your home appear larger without spending a lot of money.  How?  Again, remove all clutter and add as much light as possible.  Add hanging mirrors, especially on opposing walls. In very small or dark rooms, line the top three to five inches of wall space with strip mirrors.

·        While you very well may, some prospective buyers may not like kids (or pets, or both).  So, try and keep yours out of the way when the property is being shown.

·        Use your sense of smell.  Make sure all unpleasant odors are removed by thoroughly cleaning your home – especially the kitchen and bath.  On the flip side, when the property’s being shown, place a small drop of vanilla extract on a lit light bulb, which will give off the smell of freshly baking bread, an aroma virtually everybody likes.

·        Hire a good, experienced real estate broker  Why? A good, experienced real estate broker will virtually always help you sell your home quickly, easily and for the best price possible.

·        Finally, and perhaps most importantly, be certain to price the property properly as soon as it goes on the market.  Indeed, this is one, if not the major benefit of hiring a good real estate broker.  Towards that end, before setting your property’s initial asking price, ask your broker this question – if I had to have the home under contract to sell within 30 days, what price should I market it at? – and then price your property relatively close to that price.