Physical Property Preparation

1. Make sure the house is spotless! Many bank-owned houses are dirty or run-down and usually have some kind of strange smell, especially in Port St Lucie and Jensen Beach. A clean, fresh-smelling home can really set you apart from all the other run-down properties out there.

2. Exterior Appeal – For less than $100.00, you can buy several bags of mulch and small plants to spruce up any garden. If necessary, cut down any trees or shrubs that hide the front of your house. Shrubs that are too big can make a house appear smaller than it actually is. Also make sure gutters are clean and hung securely, and remove any rust stains from well water with Rust-Aid.

3. Paint: Usually, most buyers can overlook some strange colors. But if your house looks like a box of fruit cereal, you may want to invest in some new paint. White, cream and tan colors can make the buyer feel more relaxed and comfortable in their home.

4. Always disclose! If you know there is something wrong with the house and you don’t tell the buyer, you could come back and cause major problems. If there is damage or defect, be sure to inform the buyer in writing. Then follow up with, “That’s why we have such a great price on the house!”

Advertising and Prices

1. BE INFORMED: Find out what has recently sold in the neighborhood, what is currently for sale in the neighborhood, and how those homes compare to yours. You can find recently sold information at local property appraisers in St Lucia and Martin County, or on any major real estate website. The first month of listing a home is crucial. Don’t waste time by not being competitive. Your local real estate agent is crucial to finding this information! You should always list the property at a competitive price or no one will come!

2. Find out who is looking for your type of housing and how to reach them. Who would be looking for this type of housing in this neighborhood? For example, the neighbors of the house you are selling may have family or friends who are looking for a house and what better place to move than next door! Make sure your neighbors know your house is for sale! You’d be surprised how many real estate agents don’t do this! A simple open house can really introduce the neighborhood to your home.

3. When selling your home, make sure you have a clear for-sale sign in your front yard that lists the price and specs on the home. By putting the price on the sign, you only get calls from buyers who like the house and the price and eliminate tire-kicking “fact seekers.”

4. Have open houses. Be sure to advertise at least a week in advance, and try to direct all requested visitors to that open house. The more people, the better, and the more competitive the buyers will be.

5. Internet Advertising: Your home should be everywhere on the Internet with nice bright photos and easy ways to contact and show settings! There are many free websites that will list your home for you and allow you to post detailed photos and information.

the deal

1. Have as much control over the deal as possible! The more control you have, the higher the chances of it getting shut down! You or your real estate agent must manage all aspects of the deal to make sure everyone is doing what they are supposed to!

2. Prepare and familiarize yourself with the financing your buyer is using. FHA/VA loans always have appraisals, termite inspections, preparation requirements, and insurance requirements. FHA buyers make up the majority of the market, but they can also be very difficult to close on.

3. Be prepared to help the buyer with closing costs. 6% is the most a seller can pay for closing costs. This will help keep more money in the buyer’s pocket and also help them qualify for the loan. Usually sellers will offer 3% on average, but this is always negotiable.

4. More and more buyers are abandoning the offers and leaving their deposits. Make sure you get a deposit of at least $1,000 to make sure the buyer is serious. Some sellers will even collect an additional deposit from the buyer after the inspection period is over.

final tips

With tons of homes for sale in Port St. Lucie and even more on the way, you’ll want to make sure your home stands out from the crowd. Each seller always offers their house for a certain price and will usually allow buyers to inspect it and use financing to purchase it. What buyers love and very often DON’T find are seller-paid closing costs, creative down payment and financing programs, a free home warranty, granite and stainless steel upgrades on lower-priced homes, or that the house is fit to move into. Remember that none of these tips will matter if your house is overpriced! If you need more advice, please contact your local real estate agent.