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It may be worth $500 to you to read this one.
Today is a big day for my husband and me; our home, and my office, of 10 years went on the market today--softly. We won't even have signs up until tomorrow. This is the 7th property I've sold myself, saving well into the six figures total--but not everyone is cut out for selling their own home. If that is the case and you need a serious professional with her heart and integrity on the tiller, call my dear friend and Realtor, Tami Spaulding with The Group, Inc. in Fort Collins. More on Tami soon.
One of the things I think helps sell a home, or let go of anything, is a Native American smudging ceremony, using a "smudge stick" which is lighted enough to emit a bit of smoke. As you say prayers of thanks to your home, you take the smoking smudge stick to each corner of the room and allow the smoke to go out an open window--along with the past experiences you've had in the place. I find that doing this ceremony in each room of the house helps release any kind of energy to pave the way for the new owners. In fact, I once helped Tami with a tough-to-sell property in this very same way.
Tami has been one of my greatest teachers, starting with the first time we met in 1988? 89?, when she gave me a personal example of "what goes around, comes around". Tami came along when I had given up on a Realtor selling a home for me after 6 months, so lowered the price a lot and wondered why it didn't sell. Ms. Spaulding told me that I just needed to paint the whole place inside the freshen it up--bingo, it went under contract and closing soon after.
But here's the cool thing about Tami; she didn't hand me a business card, saying "Well, if it doesn't work out, give me a call". Instead she offered me warm wishes of great success selling our home, which we did. But the best part of it was meeting Tami who has become a dear friend, client and amazingly helpful Realtor, whom we have used each time we've invested in property over the years. Though I felt a little guilty not listing with her in the beginning, I enjoyed finding ways to be kind to Tami in return--just for the fun of it. Palmer House flowers have been a favorite of hers and now El Monte Grill (both In Fort Collins), so that makes me feel like I'm doing something directly to say thank you. But my biggest thanks yous over the years have been many referrals, a number of which have closed, one of which is listed right now. Tami has also been on a Board of Directors for support of my practice, and given me a ton of great marketing tips and valuable connections--such as Colorado Women of Influence.
So, now we not only have a positive story about professional women who support each other, but also a little tip for those now reading my Blog. If you are considering selling a property yourself:
1) Regardless of who you list with, or not, can you afford to do whatever is needed to prepare the entire property for looking it's best? Not just the pretty stuff, but things like the furnace (often 20 yr max), hot water heater (10 yr), roof or some concrete may need some work to be appealing to those in a buyers market?
2) If all owners are working full time outside the home, thereby limiting availability, I don't think it's advisable to sell yourself. For starters, it will take you a ton of time, energy and some money for quality signs, flyers and marketing (though some of that is free or inexpensive). It can be stressful enough sometimes just preparing for a showing!
3) Do you have the right personanlity for this, and a comfort level with pointing out special features of your home without being a pounder? If you've never been in sales, reconsider the FSBO (for sale by owner) thing and ask your friends for quality referrals. Or call Tami. 970.377.3700.
Thankfully, it's been pretty fun for me to sell our homes in the past and I think it will be this time, too. The fall colors are at their peak while the green of Southridge Golf Course behind us still glows with an invitation to enjoy the covered patio along with the peaceful views. If you are aware of anyone who might enjoy our 5 Bedroom/4 Bath home for $399,000 and they end up closing with us, we will happily send you a check for $500 as a finder's fee. Send me an email if you'd like a flyer, and while you're on the website at www.SusanEMead.com I suggest you sign up for my newsletter, if you're not on the list. That's where I focus mostly on health tips. Today's blog is a little big of a tangent, but hey...isn't that the fun of a blog?
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