Gary Keller, the owner of the company I work for, Keller Williams Realty, was interviewed this morning along with a few agents on Good Morning America about HOW to sell your home in this market.

These tips hold true in the Towson real estate market as well as others across the US.

Tip #1: When Pricing Your Home, Don’t Try to Make Money. If a similar house down the street is on the market for a certain amount, list your home just under that amount. Buyers will perceive your home as a deal, and will more likely move on yours versus others on the market.

Tip #2: Don’t Be Lazy When It Comes to Presentation. Staging is a great way to get your home to look its best. Remember, once you decide to sell your home, it is no longer *your home*. The goal is for it to be someone else’s! A Staging Professional is a good investment along with a REALTOR(R). As Gary Keller said, “Price gets you interest. Staging gets you offers.”

Tip #3: Some Photos are Priceless. When listing in winter, especially when you have feet of snow still to melt like here in Towson, share any photos you have of the yard, landscaping, etc, from when it is nice out with your real estate agent. Your agent can incorporate these into their marketing of your home. You know how great your yard is to enjoy, but when others can’t see it at the moment, they don’t know what a difference that makes in your home versus another. With these additional photos, it could make the difference.

Tip #4:Don’t Be Cheap When It Comes to Fixes. Have a faucet that drips? A floorboard that squeaks? A carpet that needs replacing? DO IT. Have older appliances? Buy new ones. Yes, new ones. They don’t have to be expensive, but more modern helps to sell!

I disagree with Tip #5 because my buyers find it extremely uncomfortable when the owner is home, and I find that they tend to not take the house seriously if the seller is there. It is good to have brochures and photos there to share information about your home, and your agent is an important facilitator in this process in speaking with the buyer’s agent and getting buyer’s questions answered. But do NOT be there for showings. Buyers want to open cabinets, closets, and feel like it could be their home. If you are there, they can’t imagine themselves as the owners there.

I hope Towson home sellers find this information useful as they prepare to sell their homes. Please contact me to help you further!