Clients frequently ask REALTORS®, “What can we do to get our home sold?” There are so many factors that go into selling property. The discussion has resulted in television programs, real estate classes and books. Industry blogs are rampant with advice. Here are five suggestions that could make the difference.

1. First, find a professional you trust. Then listen! Listen to suggestions for pricing, staging and showing the property. Trust goes further than honest statements. The client should be able to trust experience, training, ambition and of course, integrity.

2. Prepare the house by de-cluttering. Start packing. If you are intent on selling, you are intent on moving. Collect boxes, and fill them. There are many personal items that create our feeling of “home.” These same treasures appear as clutter to the purchaser. It clutters their thinking.

3. Clean the house. Top to bottom. Make it sparkle. Hire help if necessary. Don’t market your house until it is spotless. It means dollars in an offer. Most REALTORS® have stories of buyers who would not go past the front door when an unpleasant odor greeted

them. Pets, smoke, strong deodorizers, stuffiness -- all can create a negative first impression. The outside of a property is important as well. Remember curb appeal. It’s a reality. How pretty can the inside be if the outside needs care? Go a step further. Have a pot of colorful flowers near the front door. It’s a great first impression.

4. Repair everything you’ve been living with that isn’t quite right. Look around. Dripping faucets, peeling paint, broken or crooked window blinds, dull or ugly paint. That is what buyers see first. Perhaps it is time to re-roof. Purchasers will frequently reduce their offer by more than the repair costs. Just one negative aspect of a terrific home can affect the willingness of the purchaser to pay the asking price. Some REALTORS® recommend a home inspection before marketing begins. This gives an opportunity to address hidden challenges. The age of the home and quality of regular maintenance will guide your agent’s advice.

5. Be flexible. In a market that is flooded with properties and fewer buyers, the trick is to beat the competition. If sellers want to sell, and marketing time has extended, it is time to re-think decisions on pricing, conditions and availability. It might be time to do a bit more fix-up, change the price and have open houses. Work with your professional to re-think strategies. Your REALTOR® is vested in your success.

THEN, congratulations ... you’re on the move!

Linda Miller can be reached at President@SpokaneRealtor.com.