Seller’s Tips

Once you have selected a Summit Sotheby’s real estate professional to assist you, there here a few tips to prepare yourself for an effective and swift marketing campaign.

Tips for Getting Ready to Show your Home

• Disclosures – The State of Utah requires sellers and their agents to disclose material facts about a property that may affect a buyer’s decision to purchase. Make sure you understand the Seller Disclosure Report and what you will need to disclose to buyers who will consider purchasing your property.
• Repairs – Without making major improvements or spending a lot of money, take the time and make the effort to make some small repairs that might cause buyers to overlook your house or to become concerned about it. Repairing cracks in the wall, repainting worn paint, planting flowers, or fixing squeaky doors are good examples of repairs to make.
• Neutralize the Décor of Your Home – Consider replacing out-of-date carpeting, painting odd-colored rooms, removing large amounts of family pictures, and otherwise making your home as neutral as possible. You may also want to have your pet as out-of-sight as possible and may even consider hiring some cleaning help to ensure that your home is always as clean and ready to show as possible.

Tips after a Buyer Has Made an Offer

• Take Your Time – Don’t get in such a rush or panic that you settle for getting the offer terms by fax or phone. Make sure you sit down with your agent so that you understand the terms and what the offer really says.
• Determine what your bottom dollar is and never share it with any one. Compare each offer to that amount and realize that your bottom price may change as you become more familiar with the market.
• Don’t take an offer personally. Your house is just one house that is on the market. Buyers scour the market for great deals and sometimes present low-ball offers. Do not take any offer as a personal insult.
• Don’t hesitate to counteroffer. Even when you get a low-ball offer or one that you are unwilling to accept, don’t hesitate to counter. Sometimes buyers will respond positively to a counter because they are encouraged you are willing to negotiate.