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ERA Franchise Systems LLC 1 Campus Drive Parsippany, NJ 07054 (973) 428-9700 |
Media contact: Stacy Quinn (973) 496-7904 stacy.quinn@ERA.com |
Brenda Fontaine of ERA Worden Realty in Auburn, Maine, offers inexpensive techniques to help sell a home
PARSIPPANY, NJ, April 29, 2003 – Oftentimes, the key to a fast home sale is for the homeowner to see the property as the buyer would, says Brenda Fontaine, the ERA® 2003 Top All-Around Associate from ERA Worden Realty in Auburn, Maine. Fontaine has helped more than 2,800 families buy and sell homes for the past two decades. Given her experience and insight, she offers some selling points to help improve a home's appeal to potential buyers.
"Homesellers need to be aware that a potential buyer's first impression is very important because many sales will be made or lost before the buyer reaches the front door – or soon as they walk through it. A little effort before putting a house on the market can expedite a sale," says Fontaine.
The National Association of REALTORS® reports that "curb appeal" alone accounts for half of all home sales. Fontaine says homesellers need to first consider curb appeal – the visual impression customers get from the upkeep of the house and its grounds, and how comfortable this makes them imagining themselves living there. Fontaine advises her clients to start with enhancing the exterior of the house, but only to spend an amount that is within their budget.
"Sellers should take time to walk around the property. The landscaping may only require a little mulching or adding some colorful flowers or shrubbery, but the lawn should be well-maintained," she suggests. "Sellers want to do everything possible to make potential buyers see themselves as residents both inside and outside the house," she explains.
Inside the home, eliminating clutter, such as boxing up extra toys, knickknacks and wall hangings can show a buyer how big the rooms really are.
"There are plenty of inexpensive ways to enhance a home. For example, a new paint job is an investment that will more than pay for itself. Kitchens and bathrooms should be in sparkling condition because these rooms are known to be deciding factors for home-seekers," Fontaine advises. "Also, the removal of pet smells and smoke will lessen distractions for buyers who should be focusing on a home's potential."
Fontaine says the fewer belongings that crowd rooms and closets, the easier it is for potential buyers to envision their own possessions there. "Put some things in storage if you need to, or have a garage sale to help cut down on the clutter. For buyers picturing themselves in a home, it is also wise to present the home in as general taste as possible – eccentric wall colors and furnishings should be eliminated," she adds. "Repainting rooms in a neutral white also helps convey the sense of spaciousness."
"While major improvements will guarantee a return on investment, the features that are often taken for granted can be the ones that determine home selling success," Fontaine notes. "Subtle touches often tip the scales in the sellers' favor."
An ERA real estate sales professional, such as Fontaine, can help guide homesellers by supplying a checklist of presentation tips and recommending affordable contractors. For thousands of examples of how homes should look when it is time to sell or to locate an ERA brokerage, visit the award-winning ERA.com. The site offers more than 50,000 daily updated listings and features color photos and virtual tours. It also provides information about buying, selling and financing a home.
About ERA Franchise Systems LLC
ERA Franchise Systems LLC is a global leader in the residential real estate industry with more than 30 years experience in developing consumer-oriented products and services. It is a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation (NYSE: CD) and part of its Real Estate Franchise Group. The ERA® real estate network includes more than 28,000 brokers and sales associates throughout the United States and 30 other countries and territories. Each office is independently owned and operated except offices owned and operated by NRT Incorporated. ERA® information is available to consumers at ERA.com. ERA® properties can also be viewed at Realtor.com. For additional information about ERA Franchise Systems, Inc. as well as expert commentary on emerging trends in the real estate industry, visit the Cendant Media Resource Center at http://www.cendant.com/media/.
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