Set the Stage for a Home Sale in a Buyer’s Market

Before the curtain is raised and the action starts with the first showing, the stage is set for the perfect home sale. Sure the market has changed but you want or need to sell your home! After reviewing websites all winter for the best of the best agent, you have called in the expert. The Realtor has reviewed the comps..actives, solds and expireds…and explained the perfect price point. A condition was noted: Get the home in picture perfect condition.

Here is where the storyline can change: Sellers chose to either embrace the suggestions of the Realtor or balk make excuses. Who will get a SOLD sign on their home first?

There is no magic to this market…Sellers MUST have their home prepared and set the stage for the sale. Homes are selling every day in the Twin Cities and throughout Minnesota. And contrary to public opinion, price isn’t everything…Condition and preparation are essential pieces of the puzzle that get that SOLD sign in the yard!

In the past few weeks I have done several pre-listing market analysis plans for potential sellers across Anoka County. Some were home owners who tried to sell their homes last year with a different agent and failed. Others were ready to make their move in this year’s spring market. All were left with my analysis and checklist of what would need to be done to get their home SOLD. Pricing was the easy part...Preparing takes time.

Last year my listing to sales ratio was 100%.


Yep…I sold every home that I listed last year. Half of the homes were relists…homes other agents could not get sold. Many of these sellers were not properly prepared the first time.

My first step in working with a seller is a pre-listing consultation at the client’s home. If they have been listed previously, I have the MLS information and photos from the previous agent. Throughout the visit, I share with the potential sellers, tips and ideas on what is working and what is not from a buyer’s point of view. I arm the home owners with a laundry list of things to do to set the stage for a sale.

If a home owner doesn’t want to do what I suggest, I won’t take the listing. I don’t want to waste a seller’s time or hurt my reputation. Most sellers do want their homes SOLD... so they listen intently, take pages of notes and we get the job done together!
Reasons Homes Don’t Sell
Inventory—Yes, there is a lot of inventory out there! If you decide to put your home on the market you will have a ton of high quality competition and you will need to take these homes into consideration. Depending on a buyer’s criteria for a home, there can be literally hundreds of homes for them to consider. How do you make your home stand out from the pack?
Price—Some properties will be priced lower for the square footage as there are many bank owned and distressed properties out in the market place. This can work to a seller’s advantage. Many buyers don’t have the stomach to deal with the problems and risk of buying a distressed home. Pricing a home to reflect the competition is essential. Your home doesn't have to be the cheapest home on the market to sell but it must appear to be a great deal!
Online Photos—There is a statistic being tossed around that estimates 80% of home buyers start their internet search online. In my opinion this is low. I would guess it to be more in the range of 90-95% of home buyers start the buying process online. Whatever the percentage, serious home buyers are scouring the internet and marking their favorites…from the PHOTOS! A bad photo will stop a buyer from viewing your home.

Staging—Some home owners just do not want to do the work to get ready. After visiting with a relisting client, their get ready for market“to-do” list can be just as long as a first time seller. I explain what needs to be done and why. Clean. Paint. Remove and pack belongings. Consult with a professional stager. These things must be done or the photos will look terrible. Since the internet photos are the core of today's successful marketing plan, it pays to do it right from the get go.

Exterior—Don’t ignore the entrance to your home! Add flowers…A wreath…A cute welcome sign…Dress up the entrance,trim back the foliage and clean up the driveway. Store the boat and camper in another location. Let me have a clean, clear, awesome shot of your home for that main internet picture!

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Featured Listing in Ham Lake, MN:
15139 E Vermillion Circle NE, Ham Lake, MN 55304

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Ready to set the stage to sell YOUR Twin Cities home and need help from a professional Realtor? Give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm 

January Thaw Brings Out Home Buyers in the Twin Cities North Metro—Is Real Estate Making a Comeback?

With the Minnesota Vikings out of the playoffs, Sundays are once again a good opportunity to sell real estate. At my first open house of the year yesterday, I wasn’t able to sit down for a minute and read a chapter in the great novel I had brought with me. As soon as the sign was placed on the snow bank at the end of the drive, buyers started coming through the door.

What?!! Buyers???

On NBC's Today Show this morning, a real estate expert implied that there are no homebuyers to be found. Well that so called expert wasn’t in Forest Lake, Minnesota yesterday. The beautiful sunny day and well priced split level brought out several interested parties.

First time buyers

Move up Buyers

Empty Nesters

Sure some could have been tire-kickers, killing time on a Sunday afternoon. But it is my expert real estate opinion that most were seriously considering making a move. Will any of them write an offer on that particular house? Possibly, but that is not the point. The good news is I believe almost everyone I spoke with yesterday will be making a move this year! It is exciting to see the market charging up for a great 2008!

People, NOW is a great time to move!

Sellers, NOW is the time to start getting your home ready for the spring market. Ignore the naysayers! It is time become educated on how to get your home priced and prepared properly to be sold quickly. A quickie, internet market estimate for pricing just won’t do. Call a real estate expert in your market to pave the way to your new home.

As an expert in the northern Twin Cities suburbs, I have been successfully listing and selling homes throughout Anoka, Washington and Chisago Counties last year. I know what it takes to get a home sold in this changed market. My list to sold ratio was 71% last year—Yep, I sold 5 out of 7 homes I listed in 2007!

Buyers, NOW is the time to write that offer. With so many wonderful homes on the market, you really have a chance to be selective. But don’t wait too long as more buyers are getting that spring buying fever, homes will start disappearing from the active MLS and go into pending sales. It happens every year whether we are in a slower market or not, spring fever and the real estate market go hand-in-hand in Minnesota.

Buyers get educated and sign a buyer's representation agreement! Yesterday almost all of the buyers that came into my open house were not represented by a Realtor. I had the opportunity to educate several people on why having a Realtor working for you does not cost anything and can actually SAVE money.

Don't let the media dictate whether you make a move in 2008 or not. Team up with a good Realtor and make 2008 the year that your housing dreams come true!

Additional Articles for Home Sellers:
Top 10 Ideas to Get Your Home Ready to SELL!
Open Houses—Do they Work in a Buyer’s Market?
What is your Realtor’s List-to-sales Ratio?
Is the "Busy Road Factor" Affecting the Sale of Your Listing?

Additional Articles for Home Buyers:
Rent VS Buy? It's Time to Revisit the Question!
Real Estate Agent Selection Primer—How to Choose to the Right Realtor for You!
First Time Buyers: Helping Define YOUR Dream
Dreaming of life on MN Acreage? What YOU need to know Before You Make Your Move!

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If the January thaw gave you a bit of spring moving fever and you need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.

Copyright 2008 Teri Eckholm http://www.terieckholm.com/

How to Choose a Realtor—Don't Focus on Fee!

I love a bargain! I always want the best deals on any products I buy. I scour the internet, clip coupons and negotiate with sales people for better prices on everything from groceries to new cars.

One place I do not negotiate is on professional services. My hairstylist was referred to me by a friend. She does an awesome job and is worth every penny I pay her (including the tip!). Likewise, our doctors and dentist came to us by recommendation. They are out-of-network from our HMO which means that we pay an increased co-pay for each visit. We could change our doctors and dentist to providers that are in-network and reduce our fees, but we would never consider giving up the quality of care we receive to save a few bucks.

Every time our family needs a new service professional, we use the same process: think for a moment which friend has been in a similar situation and call that trusted friend for a referral. A few years ago our family was in a car accident a few years ago and needed both and attorney and auto body shop. After two phone calls, we were in the hands of trusted professionals. Our son needed braces and we didn’t shop around for the best price, we contacted a friend whose daughter was completing the process with a beautiful smile. We made an appointment for a consultation with the recommended orthodontist and a week later, my son had his braces. Not once did we try to negotiate a better fee with any of these professionals. We wanted the best possible service. We had no intention of compromising on quality for a lower price.

So what does this have to do with real estate?
Many times when I receive a phone call regarding listing a home, the first question from that potential listing client is “What is your fee?” as opposed to what will I do for them to sell their home. No matter what I answer, some of these clients will insist it is too high. I wonder how many of these people ask that of other professional service providers they use. It is just as important to understand WHAT service will be provided as it is to know HOW MUCH you will pay. In this slower buyers market, getting the home SOLD is the key to success. As a seller you need to ask questions regarding what quality of service will be provided prior to negotiating a listing fee.

My real estate service is full service.
From the time you contact me, I go to work.

**I consult with you and advise on how to prepare your home to get the best possible price.

**I analyze the market and assist you in properly pricing your home.

**I take the time to research to see if your city requires any point-of-sale inspections and recommend service providers for those inspections on your home, well or septic system.

**It is my job to prepare marketing materials, provide signs and hold open houses.

**I review offers with you and provide expert advice on the pluses and minuses of each purchase agreement so that you know when to make a good counteroffer and/or when to accept the deal.

**I work with the buyer’s agent to negotiate the best possible terms as directed by you.

**If the purchase agreement included contingencies for other inspections or repairs, I assist you through the process.

From your initial phone call through the final paperwork, I am by your side as a professional Realtor, providing high quality service. From the amount of referrals I receive, I know that my fee is fair for the service I provide.

If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in the north and east Twin Cities metro area and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.


Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com

Top 10 Ideas to Get Your Home Ready to SELL!

Get ready! With the spring sale season just around the corner, now is the time to get your home ready to put on the market. As a Minnesota Realtor, I have seen many homes go on the market that simply are not ready. This decreases the amount a buyer is willing to pay buy thousands of dollars.
These are my Top 10 ideas for sellers to get their homes in top condition for a quick sale.

1. Make the Front Entrance SPARKLE!
You need to make a great first impression! A coat of paint and a new brass kick plate or doorknocker says "welcome home". Remove any personalized doorknockers or signs from the front of the home. Remember to trim bushes and shrubs and keep walkways clear. A blooming plant or festive wreath is a nice touch.

2. Organize the Kitchen
Kitchens sell homes—make yours appear more large and inviting! Clean off counters and organize cupboards and drawers. Store or pack seldom used appliances and large pans. Consider replacing the counter if it is worn or has an unusual color. Repair or replace leaky kitchen faucets and dated florescent light fixtures.

3. Reduce Clutter Inside and Out
Sort out E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G! Throw away anything you do not need and organize the rest. Too much stuff? Consider an off-site storage facility during the move. Donate unwanted items to a local charity. Campers, boats and old cars should be parked at a different location.

4. Clean
Your home should be spotless and smell clean too! Remember to give attention to the yard and garage too. Buyers want to see the size of your garage not where you dumped all the stuff from the house. If you have a dog, make certain that the yard has been picked up before every showing and it is completely free of debris.


5. Paint
Light neutral colors make small rooms appear larger. That cute personalization you painstakingly painted on your child’s wall is a paint-over project to a new buyer. Do them a favor and paint over before the first showing. Remove dated wallpaper and borders and paint walls. Use premium quality paint and remember to patch holes properly and tape woodwork prior to starting. A sloppy paint job can be more detrimental to your bottom line than no paint job at all.


6. Update Bath
If cleaning and painting cannot help a dingy bath, consider replacing vanity, counter and sink. Look at the faucets and light fixtures. If they are vintage, consider replacing. Also consider installing new flooring or buy nice plush floor mats to make the bathroom cozy. If the tub is nasty and stained, look into having it resurfaced.


7. Make Minor Repairs

Tighten knobs, fix leaky faucets, oil squeaking hinges, replace dirty filters, repair cracked windows and holes in screens. If it can be fixed, fix it! Buyers do not pay top dollar for a “project house”.


8. Fix Roof Leaks
One tiny water stain on the ceiling will cause a buyer to question the entire roof. Find and fix the leak at the source. This may be the time to call in an expert. Repair any ceiling damage. Disclose any information on repairs made to potential buyers.



9. Explain a Wet Basement
Do what you can to make repairs but be prepared to explain all existing and repaired problems to the potential buyers. Never try to cover signs of a wet basement.

10. Exterminate
Call a professional to get rid of the pests, repair any damage, and allow time for any pesticide smells to dissipate before showing. One bug, dead or alive, can make a bad impression on a buyer. If you have periodic mice, remove the traps and bait before showings. Again, disclose any pest infestations to potential buyers before the sale.


If you are relocating to Minnesota, are looking for Homes for Sale in Forest Lake and need help from a professional Realtor, give me a call. Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties real estate in Minnesota.


Copyright 2007 terieckholm.com