It It Shows Better... - 2/18/2013

If it shows better, it will probably sell faster and maybe for more money. Once your home is on the market, it's time to look at it like a commodity and through the eyes of potential buyers. In all likelihood, you'll need to take care of these items eventually, so do them now to help it sell sooner.

1. Make repairs - it doesn't matter if it's been that way since you bought it. You need to fix it so that the buyer doesn't think that the rest of the house is about to fall apart.
2. Not too personal - you may have bought your home to express yourself but if the buyer can't see themselves in the home for all of your things, it's going to take longer to sell than you want.
3. Drive-up appeal - the old saying "you never get a second chance at a first impression" applies to your home too. They may never even get out of the car to come inside.
4. The nose knows - it may not smell like home but it shouldn't smell like a place they would never consider living.
5. Neutral colors, decor, etc. - these are not decorating tips you'll see in magazines but the truth is that bold colors and designs are difficult for most people to see beyond. They'll imagine their things better in neutral surroundings.
6. Less looks like more - removing some of the non-essential things from your home will eliminate clutter and make the home feel larger. The same suggestion applies to cabinets and closets.

A confused mind will not make a decision. Identify and eliminate items that could derail a potential sale. The preparation you make in the beginning will help the presentation to your buyers.

The Yin and Yang of Small Businesses

Ten years ago, it would have taken you twenty minutes to get online with a dial-up service and upload this article to your computer screen; today it takes a matter of seconds and you can read it on your phone, computer, or I-Pad. We are living in the dawn of a technology driven world, and it is our job to continue to grow with these changes. As entrepreneurs, we have to keep up with business trends as well as new laws and finance trends to offer the best services available to our clients. Continuing education has always played a pivotal role to the success of realtors in assessing market trends and new laws for our regions. Now, we also have to incorporate technology into our strategies and with advances happening on a daily basis, it is imperative to have your finger on the pulse.

Operating a small business means being able to handle the delicate yin and yang of technology and humanity. Should I write a thank you note or e-mail? How much do I sort through in electronic communication before meeting the client face to face? What is the best way to market myself online? What platforms should I use? How do I effectively use online platforms to promote my business? The list of questions continue to grow each day and it can be easy to get lost in the endless sea of the internet. While many of these factors depend on your personal preference, clients and resources, some of these questions can be explored through good research and advice.

When strategizing your marketing plan, you can either hire professionals to do this for you, do it yourself, or a mixture of both. Branding and consumer base are the two main factors to consider. All successful communication strategies, both on and off line, rely on these factors. Once you can answer “who” you can look to answering the hardest question: how.

Even if you decide to hire a professional to help grow and maintain your business, no matter what that may be, channels continue to change and shift so rapidly that techniques become outdated quickly. There are vast resources for us to stay updated on the best business practices like taking classes, joining interest groups, and reading the latest articles. Finding classes and seminars through your local colleges and business groups can be a great way to introduce yourself to new topics or brush up on some rusty skills, while reading current industry related articles or participating in interest groups can offer a breath of fresh air and maintain your savvy.  


Written by Ciara Brewer on behalf of Monica Brewer