Most realtors understand that, in order to attract the largest number of Highland Park buyers, they need to have an online presence, not many of them actually take the time to make sure this happens. Consider that nearly 8 out of 10 buyers head to the Internet when shopping for a home and it quickly becomes clear that if your realtor doesn’t have a strong online presence you could be missing out on fantastic opportunities. What you can’t do is trust what the agent tells you. Many agents claim to have a great online presence, but most of the fail at making it happen. In short, it is best to check yourself and do your own research when choosing a seller’s agent.

When choosing a seller’s agent to sell your home, one of the questions you should ask is: “What do you do to maintain a strong online presence?” If the agent can’t immediately list at least three ways he or she works to maintain an online dominance, then the agent probably isn’t for you.

A good agent should be able to prove his or her online presence by showing you:

• A personal website – In addition to the real estate firm’s website, the agent should also have his or her own personal website where your property can be featured. That way, when buyers find your home, they can view it through the agent’s personal website. A property listing on a personal website often provides more information about the property and more photographs.
• A strong social media presence – Agents communicate with other agents and with clients through social media. A Facebook page, for example, can allow your agent to get the word out about your property in a quick and efficient manner.
• A presence on other websites and blogs – If your agent has a strong online presence, he or she will quickly be seen as an expert in the area. Because of this, more buyers and buyer’s agents will follow your agent online, thereby allowing your agent to get your property in front of many more buyers and buyers’ agent than through traditional marketing routes.

Buyers want to see a number of things when they walk through the door of a home for sale; but someone else’s clutter isn’t one of them. In order to show your home in its best light, and attract the largest number of buyers, you need to have a home that is free of clutter. Clutter can mean everything from stuffed closets to stacks of magazines in the corner of the living room. In short, anything that detracts from your University Park home and distracts your buyers is clutter. And it needs to go.

Here’s what you can do to rid your home for sale of clutter:

• If you don’t need it or plan to use it within the next few months, it has to go. Extraneous items around the house serve no purpose and they likely just get in the way.
• Knick knacks and other personal items can be packed away. Why not get a head start on packing by boxing up your personal items, such as knick knacks and family photos? Personal items often clutter up rooms and they don’t mean anything to buyers. In fact, they often do little but distract buyers and prevent them from envisioning themselves in your home. Clear the tabletops with your knick knacks and the walls with your family photos before selling and your buyers will thank you for it.
• If your closets are packed, clear them out. A closet overflowing with items will immediately give the buyers the impression that there is not enough room in your home and certainly not enough storage in your home.
• Get rid of the papers. Whether you enjoy keeping every back copy of the National Geographic or you have this week’s mail sitting on your countertop, papers instantly make a home feel cluttered. Hide away or (give away) all those magazines to make your home feel tidier and less cluttered.
• Remove any excess furniture. There is no better way to make a home feel cluttered than to pack it full of furniture. Consider editing the furniture in your home by donating, selling, or storing unused or unnecessary furniture in a storage facility while you sell your home.

After you’ve found a great seller’s agent, there are a few questions you ask your agent. In particular, your agent should consider a number of factors in order to maximize your home’s value and ensure a relatively smooth transaction.

Some of the questions you may want to ask your agent include:

Is there anything I need to do to prepare my home for sale?

From updating the wall color to moving the furniture to create a better flow throughout the home, there are a number of things sellers can do to ensure their home is seen it its best light. Ask your realtor for advice regarding home improvements and modifications, and listen carefully, as your agent will likely have a deep understanding of what buyers in your market are looking for. It is important to remember that, many times, the smallest changes make the biggest difference in terms of home value and amount of time on the market.

In addition, ask your agent about accentuating certain features of your home or staging your home as to attract the largest number of buyers.

What is your opinion on open houses?

Some realtors swear by open houses, while others don’t see the value in them. If your realtor wants to hold an open house – either for buyers or realtors or both – ask him or her about possible dates and times. In addition, ask the realtor if he or she wants you to do anything in preparation for the open house, as to facilitate the process.

Are there any conditions or inclusions I should include with the sale of the home?

Your realtor may recommend including a number of things in the sale of your home to sweeten the deal and make your home stand out from the competition, so it’s always a good idea to have a discussion regarding inclusions, such as appliances, furniture or a home warranty. If there are any conditions attached to the sale of your home, now is also a good time to discuss this with your realtor so all information will be included in your home’s marketing materials.