That's according to Abbey Realty broker Ted Leland, who said he has encountered that problem before, and has included it among a series of tips on a recent mailer to past and potential customers. The tips are directed at those home sellers trying to compete with foreclosures and short sales in this market.
Here are some of Leland's tips:
-Make sure the home will show well: "For example, it costs $50 to $100 to fertilize your lawn and yet most sellers don't understand that this is the buyer's first impression when they pull up in a driveway. They are looking at the yard and pride of ownership."
-Invest the $50 to have a working lock for your front door: "Five percent of the time I can't get into the home because the key does not work in the lock. If you have to jiggle it, arch your back or stand on one foot to get the door open, odds are we are not getting in."
-Have the lights and heat on at all times: "I know it costs money, and you might get a PSE bill for an extra $100, but the expenditure is worth it if you can sell the home the first month, rather than not selling it at all. Nothing is worse for a buyer than to walk into a cold, dark house. Buying a home is an emotional process and the littlest things go a long way."
-Hire a professional photographer: "For homes in Bellevue, Kirkland, Medina and Mercer Island, it is done all the time. Why not for your home as well?"
