Real Estate News

Spruce Up Your Home
To Earn Offers Quickly

By PATRICK BARTA
Staff Reporter of The Wall Street Journal
From The Wall Street Journal Online

May 13, 2003 -- The housing market has cooled in some areas. If you're trying to sell, how can you make your house stand out?

Spruce it up. Big repairs aren't smart. Sellers rarely recoup all their money on big remodeling projects. But minor changes like fresh paint, new plants or better outdoor lighting, can pay off.

Fix little problems that no longer bother you but are glaring to potential buyers, like doors that stick, or stains on the wall. "You'd be amazed at how often people show homes with a broken toilet," says Sophia Worden, a partner with LaThomus Property Services in Chicago.

Consider a decorator. Some real-estate agents refer sellers to decorators who provide tips on how to make homes look better with a tiny investment. Some decorators can even lend you new furniture.

Market aggressively. Pick an agent who uses technology to your advantage. Get one with a good Web site, to show virtual house tours or video clips. It's best if agents use professional photographers. Many agents take pictures themselves, with mixed results.

Try incentives if the house isn't moving -- prizes like a new television or cash for agents who bring in buyers, or concessions to the buyer such as extra repairs or closing costs. Atlanta agent Eric McNaughton has even heard of sellers offering free Botox wrinkle treatments.

Slash the price as a final option. A "good, reasonably priced house in a good neighborhood is always going to draw a lot more attention than free Botox treatments," Mr. McNaughton says.