In a slow housing market what are the best ways to sell property?

In the third quarter of 2010, the housing market in North Texas continues to be sluggish.  Average days on market hovers around 90 days, sold price versus asking price averaging about 96 percent which is much stronger that in some parts of the country.  In this sluggish housing economy how does a home or property owner best market, best present their home for sale?

 1.  Attract potential buyers with large professional images.  Photographs must be well composed,   properly exposed and edited to best tell the story of the home.  

 2.   De-clutter and straighten rooms and areas to optimize photographic images.  Viewers need to find the space appealing and not be distracted by miscellaneous items in the images.  Remove personalized items such as family photos, trophies, awards, trash/waste containers and especially magnets and photos on the refrigerator.

 3.    Secure all valuables and medications.

 4.    If you are already packing to move, store boxes off the premises if possible.  Stacked boxes imply to buyers that you lack adequate storage and spaces are small.  You want to convey that your home has plenty of space and boxes do not appear in images of your property.  Buyers need to view the space, not boxes.

 5.   Be sure all light bulbs are working.  If lights are not working buyers may perceive something is wrong with the lighting fixture, and wonder what larger home repairs you may have neglected.  Plus the brighter the rooms, the better.

 6.   Kitchens are the heart of most homes.  An inviting kitchen goes a long way to selling a home.  The fewer items on the countertops, the more spacious and appealing the kitchen becomes.  For most home virtual tours, we make every effort to compose images that highlight the kitchen cabinetry, countertops, islands, ovens or stoves.

 7.   Store away all pet care items, food bowls, toys and litter boxes.  Buyers may be turned off by these items or may have allergies.  Secure pets in their kennel.

 8.  Dining tables should have place settings, china, napkins, etc…as if a party is about to begin.

  9.  Remove all toiletries and personal items from bathroom vanities, tubs and showers.   Leave  exposed only plants, towels or neutral decorative items.

10.  Place toilet lids down.

11.  Pick up and store kid’s toys.

12.  Remove water hoses and trash bends from the front exterior.

13   Uncover outdoor pools and barbeque grills…make the outdoors photographically inviting.

14.  Close garage doors and remove all vehicles.

Real estate photography allows buyers to view your home wherever they are.  In a buyer's market, real estate photography and virtual tours present your home to the widest possible market, in the best possible light.  Just think-- buyers can tour your home after putting the kids to bed, waiting for takeout, on a train ride to work, or from their cell phone!