Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Don’t refuse that low offer - Keep negotiating!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Don’t refuse that low offer - Keep negotiating!: Don’t refuse that low offer - Keep negotiating! Receiving an offer to purchase is one of the most emotionally charged events in the entir...

Don’t refuse that low offer - Keep negotiating!

Don’t refuse that low offer - Keep negotiating!  

Receiving an offer to purchase is one of the most emotionally charged events in the entire selling process.  Sellers should try to bear this in mind, and make a conscious effort to stand back and take an objective view of the situation.  Most Realtor®’s have seen sellers who let their personal attachment to their home cloud their judgment. Their emotional reaction makes them lose sight of the importance of working with an offer, even if its a low one.  Sometimes when an offer comes in that is quite low, homeowners take it as a personal insult.  They react so strongly that they just refuse the offer out of hand.  If you let this happen to you, then you could be missing out.

Even if it looks like you and the potential buyer are very far apart, the important thing to keep in mind is that a serious buyer has made an offer that has opened negotiations. Your goal is to keep them open until you get the results you want.

When considering an offer, bear in mind that prospective buyers usually don’t expect their first offer to be accepted outright.  Don’t let your emotions drive your decision.  Look at it as a purely business proposition.  There are several positive aspects to receiving an offer, even if it’s not what you hoped for.  First of all, you’ve made contact with a serious buyer who’s ready to purchase.  Secondly, you know the buyer prefers your property over any other in your price range.  Don’t slam the door on this prospect.  You can keep negotiations going with a counter-offer (or “sign back”).  A sign-back doesn’t mean you have to make major concessions to your desired price or terms.  Even if you send the offer back with the same terms as your listing, it gives your sales representative one more opportunity to meet with these interested buyers to promote your property, and counter objections.  They can also offer creative financing options that might encourage a better offer.  

When coming up with a counter offer, its important to keep in mind that other aspects of an offer have value besides price.  Even if you can’t move very far from your list price, you may be able to offer other concessions such as including fixtures (lighting, appliances, draperies) or changing your preferred closing date to accommodate the buyer.

Keeping the lines of communication open gives your sales representative a chance to do their job.  Want to know more about effective negotiating strategies?  Ask your local Realtor®.  You’ll be glad you called us first!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Putting your best view forward!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Putting your best view forward!: Putting your best view forward When showing your home for sale, it’s not just what buyers see inside that counts. Your Realtor ® will te...

Putting your best view forward

When showing your home for sale, it’s not just what buyers see inside that counts.  Your Realtor® will tell you that sometimes it’s all about the view.  A good view is a strong selling point for any room in the house.  A great view makes one property stand out from all the rest.  And on the flip side, when the view is poor, even the most attractive décor may not be enough to counteract its negative effects.  What’s a homeowner to do? 

Here are some easy and affordable tips that may help to improve your outlook:

·         If the entire view out a window is undesirable, try frosting the glass with a translucent window film available in most wallpaper or decorating stores.  Simply cut it to size, spray soapy water on the glass so you can slide the film around to position it, and then smooth out any air bubbles.  That’s all there is to it!  And you can remove the film in seconds if you want. 

·         If there’s a problem in just part of the view, then shutters or blinds offer a great solution.  Roman blinds are modern and attractive and you can install them so they will either cover the top or bottom part of the window.  Just choose the configuration needed to obscure only the part of the window with the unwelcome view, and enjoy the rest! 

·         If you’re adding blinds for privacy, consider using a material that will still allow light to enter and give a greater impression of openness.

·         Are your neighbours peering into your house?  You can tint your windows or use one-way glass to avoid keeping the drapes drawn all day.  Talk to your local glass supplier to see how to protect your privacy, yet let sunshine in.

·         Is your view obscured by greenery?  You can let in the light with some creative landscaping, pruning or even re-locating bushes and shrubbery. 

·         A simple and affordable way to make the most of a good view is to enhance the effect by positioning a mirror on an opposing wall.  This has the added benefit of multiplying the natural light coming into the room.

·         If you want to introduce some additional light into your room, but the view is not desirable, you might consider small feature windows or transoms placed high up in the wall. These can flood the room with light and you’ll find yourself looking at sky instead of staring into your neighbour’s kitchen.

·         Etched or frosted glass panels in frames can also be hung in front of your clear window panes to draw the eye and break up an undesirable view.

There are many simple and inexpensive solutions to your decorating problems.  Ask your  Realtor® for their expert advice on how to showcase your home to its best advantage.  You’ll be glad you called us first!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Ten ways to attract Buyer interest!

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: Ten ways to attract Buyer interest!: Ten ways to attract Buyer interest In today’s highly competitive real estate market, the key to selling your home is being able to attrac...

Ten ways to attract Buyer interest!

Ten ways to attract Buyer interest

In today’s highly competitive real estate market, the key to selling your home is being able to attract buyers to your listing.  When you’re selling your home, it’s important to remember that you’re in competition with every other similarly priced listing in your area.  To win buyers, you need your home to stand out from all the rest.  Here’s a Top Ten list of things a seller can do to win buyer interest:

1. Create ‘curb appeal’ -- Buyers decide whether they like a property within the first few minutes of arrival.  Make a great first impression with well trimmed and cared for lawns and walkways.  A small investment in new lighting at your front door, an urn planter, a new mailbox or street numbers can all upgrade the look of your home and win big dividends.
2. Give them a warm welcome - Make the most of those first few critical minutes as buyers enter your home.  A foyer or entranceway is typically one of the smallest areas of your house, so upgrading the flooring with hardwood or slate can be a very worthwhile and cost-effective investment.  Add a mirror to visually increase the space and clear out shoes and mats.   
3. Let there be light – Create a bright and cheerful atmosphere by opening the blinds and curtains and turn on all the lights for showings.  If you have a fireplace, have a fire burning if the weather’s not too warm.   
4. Show you care – Properties that aren’t well maintained send up ‘red flags’ to buyers that larger problems may be lurking beneath the surface.  Complete all those minor repairs jobs that you’ve been putting off.
5. Create space – Buyers want a spacious interior, so do everything you can to create space, even if it means moving several items offsite while you’re showing. Send those extra chairs to Mom’s for now or rent a storage unit.
6. Depersonalize – You need buyers to picture themselves living in the house, so pack everything that’s distinctly yours, including photos, awards, mementos and religious artifacts.  It’s your first step towards moving out.
7. Appeal to all the senses – Some of the strongest emotional reactions are created by smell, not sight or sound.  Before showings, open windows to air out rooms, light scented candles, and put out a bowl of fresh lemons.  
8. Upgrade for maximum impact and return – Kitchens and bathrooms are the most important rooms when selling a house, so they’re the areas where upgrades will likely get the best return on your investment.  Even simple changes like new faucets or a lighting fixture can have big impact.
9. Present a neutral interior – A fresh coat of paint is always a good idea. Choose pale, neutral colors that won’t clash with a buyer’s furnishings.

10.     Let the professionals do their job – As your Realtor® will tell you, one of the best ways you can help get your house sold is to leave home when showings are underway.  Buyers will be more inclined to linger and ask questions, and it gives your sales representative a chance to counter objections and offer solutions.

Call your Realtor®  to learn how to turn interest into offers!     

Tom Flatt, Coldwell Banker J. Kazi Realty, Brokerage: First time buyers want ‘turnkey’ ready homes, not ...

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