HOW TO MAKE BUYERS WANT YOUR HOME

Your home is listed on the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and the sign goes up in your front yard. Now what? Sit back and let the offers roll in. Of course, that's what every seller wants but that's not always what happens.

So, let's rewind a bit and see what can be done to make buyers want your home. The steps you take before you actually put your home on the market can help to ensure interest in your home.

Start by creating a "buy-me-now" attitude. How's that done?

Several ways. Take a good look at your home and decide which, if any repairs, need to be made. Are you selling "as is" or do you want to put a little money into your home and fix some surface problems that could potentially distract or concern buyers?

Next, clear away clutter. If you don't have any place other than your home to put your boxes and extra furniture that you're taking with you on the move, try storing them in the garage or on the side of the house. If you do this be sure that you don't stack your boxes so high that you block views to the outside.

When you block a view, buyers may think you're hiding something bad about the property or they may have a very closed-in feeling when they enter that particular room. Buyers do understand that you're moving and things may be a little out of order, but try to keep that to only one room or half of the garage. You want to make sure that buyers can see your entire home. Limiting them from viewing one or several rooms may discourage them. Tidy up and keep things packed away.

Always keep in mind that more room and more storage space are two things buyers really like. Create a feeling of openness and spaciousness by trading out, or removing entirely, bulky pieces of furniture that suck up square footage in a room. Instead find another piece of furniture that can fit into the room... maybe something from another area of your home. Even if it's not an ideal placement for you, do it anyway.

Remember, the idea is to show your home in its best light. More space is a huge plus. Another way to make a room look larger is to use mirrors. Strategically hanging a mirror on a wall can help open up the room.

Your agent may elect to hold an open house and prior to that list your home on the MLS but not allow any showings until the weekend of the very first open house. This can be an excellent strategy because you may end up with lots of buyers passing through for that first open house since they couldn't see your home sooner. You can then allow showings by appointment for a period of time. This strategy can generate a lot of interest and even start a bidding war. May the highest and best offer win.

Do your work and clean up before you open the doors to buyers. You don't always get another chance, so make buyers want your home by showing them that you've loved and cared for your home and now you'd like to see it go to buyers who will enjoy it like you did.