Bend Real Estate Seller’s Tips

The information contained here is a small sample of what is involved when selling real estate in Bend and Central Oregon.  Our professionals have the knowledge and experience necessary to guide you through the process and protect your interests.  Choosing Bend Oregon Homes Online to represent you in upcoming real estate transaction is an excellent fir step when selling your home or investment property in Bend or Central Oregon.  Don’t hesitate to contact us regarding all of your real estate needs.

Getting Ready to Sell

The first thing you need to get ready is yourself.  Think of your Bend area home as strictly a piece of property – just a house or just a property.  You want others to see it as their potential home, not yours.  The emotional attachment you may have developed over time  could make this a difficult process.  Remembering that the goal is getting the property sold will help a great deal.

De-Personalizing the House

You need to take your brand out of the home.  Remove personal items such as family pictures, awards, collectible, and as much personal clothing as possible.  Box them up, rent a storage unit and leave them there until you relocate.  We want people to imagine their belongings in the home.  You don’t want potential Bend homebuyers distracted by knick-knacks and cute baby pictures.  Their real estate agent is bringing them to see the home and property, and that’s it.

Make the House Feel Bigger

Literally making the house bigger is not an option, so make it feel bigger.  Get rid of the clutter.  This is another emotional stumbling block for most seller.  Over time, we all manage to accumulate stuff.  It’s everywhere around the house, including closets, attics, garages, cabinets, bath, kitchens…I think you see the point.  The goal here is to have as much of the home and its components visible to a potential buyer as possible.  When selling a property it is better to have your 1,200 sq.ft.  house feel like a 1,500 sq.ft. house.  No nook or cranny is exempt from clutter abatement!  If you’re a real estate investor with a tenant in the home, other strategies are available.  Your Seller’s Agent and Broker at Bend Oregon Homes Online can be a great help in this area.

Fixing Up the Interior

A good place to start is to make sure everything works the way it was designed to.  Some examples are plumbing fixtures, light switches and fixtures, heating, AC, ceiling fans, doors, windows, etc.  You may even consider having the house inspected by a professional home inspector prior to marketing your home.  Next, cleaning is on the list.  If the walls, floors, cabinets, etc. still look dirty or worn out after a thorough cleaning, consider painting, repairing or replacing those items.  If you have pets, are a smoker or do a lot of cooking, you are likely to have odors that may be a problem.  If so, find the source and do something about it.  Trying to mask odors with syrupy smelling candles or the like won’t solve the problem – it will likely get a buyer’s attention to the very problem you’re trying to eliminate.  A clean and fresh smelling home is a number one positive feature and will make your home appealing to any potential home buyer.

Exterior Preparations

Start here by looking at your property from a distance.  Look at your home from across the street or from your neighbors yard.  Now, look at the rest of the neighborhood.  Your property should look as good or better than the rest of the homes in the immediate area.  By now you know the basics of prepping a property for sale.  The outside has to look as good and as well maintained as the inside.  This includes side and back yards as well.  The first impression a buyer gets is very important.  Remember the old saying “curb appeal”, it will effect the way a home buyer looks at the rest of your property.  Make sure access to the home is safe and easy for the real estate agent and their potential buyer.  Your Sellers Agent knows what it takes to impress potential home buyers.  Little things, like a new doormat or smooth working door locks, can set the tone for the entire showing.

Setting a Listing Price

Here is where a calm, cool approach to selling your Bend or Central Oregon property can be a plus.  There are currently a large number of distressed properties for sale at this time.  Foreclosures, REO, bank owned and short sales are pressuring property values here in Bend and throughout Central Oregon.  And they’ll likely continue for some time.  It is good business not to make decisions based on emotion.  Setting a realistic listing price takes research only your real estate broker can provide.  Property comparisons must be made.  Local, Bend area real estate market conditions are a major factor and must be taken into account.  Also, overall property condition, location and livability are very important items to factor in.  As a seller, you have your own idea of what the property should sell for.  Some sellers are so emotionally attached to their homes that setting a realistic price never happens.  Remember, all real estate broker agents want to get the best deal for their clients, whether they are buyers or sellers.  Bend Oregon Homes Online knows the Bend area real estate market and  will guide you in getting the best possible price for your property.

Listing Your Property

When you list your property for sale, you are entering into a written contract between yourself as the property owner, and the Principal real estate broker.  The listing agreement establishes all of the applicable terms and conditions to selling your property.  Don’t hesitate to contact us for information on various forms and listing agreements.  Since every real estate transaction is different it’s very important to have a local real estate broker representing you.  Here is important real estate agency disclosure information.  As members of the Central Oregon Association of Realtors (COAR), your listing will be included in the local Multiple Listing Service (MLS) as well.  Remember that trust, local knowledge and experience are major factors in selecting your representative.  After all, the investment in your home or property is likely your largest and most significant asset.  Bend Oregon Homes Online would be pleased to represent you as your seller’s agent.