MARYLAND 7-18-22

MARYLAND EDITION

THINKING OF LISTING?

NINE WAYS TO GET READY

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THINGS ALL SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATORS DO TOP AGENT TIPS AND QUESTIONS

FEATURED AGENTS

JULIA STEVENS KALOYAN DOYCHINOV

4 REASONS

FOR CHOOSING YOUR LISTING AGENT

WHY MULTITASKING CAN ACTUALLY DERAIL YOUR DAY

COVER STORY

SONIA GRAHAM

MARYLAND EDITION

KALOYAN DOYCHINOV

Coming 7into this field determined 11 to 20 With access ® succeed, REALTOR Kaloyan Doychinov that allows h When working with So has quickly become a top producer. He was a high level, first introduced to real estate several their p Another trait made she credits After retiring fromyears her 18+ will be there for them ago, when his friend was involved in wholekerage,toNort sion and attention de year-career in the police force saling properties.

Kaloyan tising precis depart should be handled in When Germany, Julialearned moved with to finish, they will work about renovationher andson distressed homes, States he through socb so there’s no rush to go to the United in was inspired to earn his She license become estate sites,” ticular about ask getting ever 2013. hadand taken onway, some they can any an agent. “That way, I could help him sell ate an indivi Procrastination is non-ex public jobs throughout the his properties when the renovations were the syste property be their support the moment a new listin years before settling into Real JULIA STEVENS SONIAHis GRAHAM completed,” he explains. career flour- KALOYAN DOYCHINOV properties on step necessary to Estate in 2018, she continues people justrangeevery ished where from there, and today to hehelp assists a wide types of buyers look. H to quality buyersbrochures and that w as she did as policeand officer.

Julia hasinvestment always had a love towellhigh of abuyers sellers, from properties explaining all the paperwork, and just generare completed for homes waterfront and interacting with people, sohomes. she realized and multimillion dollar “I enjoy itforms features.

“We offerprop pro ally make the journey as straightforward as presented properties can pretty quickly that she found her perfect fit. people from Matterport, which help CONTENTS so much,” he has explains, “You get to meet for them,” Sonia When workother properties require all walks of life, andpossible develop good friendships alongsays. in the house.” ing with Sonia, trust that sheinwill covers allway.” ofTIPS Maryland terms of Real Estate, media, additio the Fluent inin English and Bulgarian, hefrom can can helpsocial 4)She TOP AGENT AND 18) 4clients REASONS clients various backgrounds, conveying informa-marketing When Kaloyan hasthat freea her beloved areafrom of Kent Island on the Eastern Shore avenues be there forWHY themMULTITASKING through every step.

“From QUESTIONS FOR CHOOSING tion inAGENT manner and allowing them to will makework edu-are daughter’s Sunday sch to Hagerstown toa clear Ocean City andto out past Baltimore, stillme a favorite event YOUR LISTING CAN ACTUALLY start finish, they with and only cated decisions.

He need abidesher. by his company’s values He’s alsoshe hosting a new if that’s where her clients She doesn’t shyaskofDAY them when can.

DERAIL YOUR me.

That way, they can any questions they inclusive, collaborative 9)away 6 THINGS ALL two fromauthentic, driving hours compassionate, to get to the right property. and to be released by the en need and I’ll be their support system all the service.

SUCCESSFUL THINKING OF LISTING? There’s a great pride in s Maryland impactful is a diverse state with different21) communities Kaloyan is always through.”

Along Sonia makes NEGOTIATORS DOdependingway NINE WAYS TOway, GET READY property, finding outlooki exac and neighborhoods on which way you travel.the Licensed in Maryland and Washington D.C., Kaloyan pand his knowledge, so to spot that one perfect p Kent Island specifically is a small piece of paradise and covers a large territory, going where his clients need least one book a month. home them. For Julia Copyright Top Agent Magazine her home away from home, centered around fishing and him. From waterfront condos to suburban homes, notfor growing,” he says.

She’s not primarily boating, populated by fulland part-timers Kaloyan has experience handling allsharing types oftheprop-job.learn and inspire, so I c Phone | FaxBay. 310-734-1440 sons, so she can be more love of310-734-1440 the erties.

Chesapeake Her son, Dewayne, who was He knows this area well, and loves guiding vice and expertise and r mag@topagentmagazine.com www.topagentmagazine.com 21 years old the time of his| passing in March hisatclients in finding the perfect homes of and2022, commu-effect to what could othe No portion of in this the issue may beForce reproduced any whatsoever without prior in consent of the publisher.

Agenteveryone Magazine actionTopfor invo served Airhere. atin Nellis Force base Las nities Some ofmanner his Air favorite restaurants include is published by Feature Publications GA, Inc. Although precautions are taken to ensure the accuracy of published materials, Top Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant and Osteria Vegas, and herbehusband Zak still expressed serves Andrews Air Agent Magazine cannot held responsible for opinions orat facts supplied by its authors. a smooth experience, a ToForce subscribeBase or change send inquiry mag@topagentmagazine.com.

177.

Wherever histoclients buying or selling, he putsthrough the foreseeable asaddress, a DoD Civilian andareAir National Guard, Published in the U.S. needs first at all times.

“Much of my business Dewayne A. Stevens… I giving her their ties to the military client base as well being a consists ofSpecialist. repeats and referrals,” he explains. “I think Military Relocation that’s because I provide personalized experiences, and Top Agent Magazine I really connect with people.”

Kaloyan makes each There’s a great amount of competition in real estate

JULIA STEVENS

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Top Agent Tips and Questions for Choosing Your Listing Agent Now that you’ve decided to sell, it’s time to select the professional to help you market your property. Before meeting with agents, however, consider Top Agent Magazine’s tips for preparing yourself. Frist, ask yourself what kind of relationship you’d like to have with your listing agent. Are you seeking a casual, personable relationship and the latest marketing tools or are you interested in a more formal, traditional relationship and approach to marketing techniques? Next, populate your list of agents by attending open houses and asking for recommendations from recent buyers and sellers.

Finally, schedule your meetings at your home, where you’ll be able to gauge the chemistry between you and each agent.

During your meetings, expect any Top Agent to ask you several questions, but also consider discussing the following: 4

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Will you please describe your sales experience and local network?

Ask your Top Agent to describe recent listings and sales of homes comparable to your own. Ask about the sellers’ priorities, the original list price, market time and number of offers. Top Agents will also describe how well they are connected with other REALTORS® in the region as well as their contacts with relocation companies, local corporations and chambers of commerce.

Be sure to ask about each agent’s knowledge of how your market has changed over time and what has influenced change.

You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’ opinions.

How will you market the property? Each

Top Agent has a unique set of online or local marketing tools at his or her disposal. Some use lead-generation applications and nearly ever luxury agent take advantage of video. Even video marketing tools vary from agent-to-agent, however.

You’ll get to decide if you prefer an agent with higher-end video production and 3D Matterport tours or an agent with more intimate techniques featuring walk-and-talk style video tours.

What factors influence your list-price recommendation? Before an-

swering this question, most Top Agents will have several questions for you, including whether you’re more focused on a faster sale or a higher list price.

They’ll also educate you on how best to balance both market time and list price relative to sales histories your area.

Now that you’ve seen the home, what repairs or improvements do you recommend before listing? You’ll learn a lot by listening to agents’

opinions on your home’s sale potential with or without some improvements.

Most Top Agents will also recommend a full professional inspection prior to listing to avoid surprises during buyer inspection.

How will you help with staging? Some Top Agents will pay for part or

all of the staging costs. At a minimum, however, a Top Agent will have a staging professional or two in their partner network. While they’re at it, they may provide referrals for carpet cleaning, painting, gardening and other minor finishing touches.

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What attributes of the property will you want to highlight? Each Top

Agent will have a somewhat different answer to this question, but that’s a good thing! Even if you have your own ideas about your home’s greatest attributes, you’ll glean insight into the current market by considering different agents’ opinions. In learning their views, you may even change your mind about your home’s most marketable features!

What is your approach to Open Houses? How many agent-only Open

Houses will your Top Agent want to host? How many truly Open Houses?

Some Top Agents may even reveal a “swankier” approach to the Open House – such as an evening cocktail party or by-invitation “open” hours to which buyers visit along with the agent representing them.

Who will be our primary point(s) of contact from your office? This

important question will help you understand the scope of your agent’s practice. You’ll get to see if your agent runs a robust team with many hands on deck or if he or she works by close, one-on-one contact with each client.

Either approach is wonderful; you get to decide what suits you.

Now, let’s list!

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JULIA STEVENS After retiring from her 18+ year-career in the police force in Germany, Julia moved with her son to the United States in 2013. She had taken on some public jobs throughout the years before settling into Real Estate in 2018, where she continues to help people just as she did as a police officer. Julia has always had a love for homes and interacting with people, so she realized pretty quickly that she has found her perfect fit.

She covers all of Maryland in terms of Real Estate, from her beloved area of Kent Island on the Eastern Shore to Hagerstown to Ocean City and out past Baltimore, if that’s where her clients need her. She doesn’t shy away from driving two hours to get to the right property.

Maryland is a diverse state with different communities and neighborhoods depending on which way you travel.

Kent Island specifically is a small piece of paradise and her home away from home, centered around fishing and boating, populated by full- and part-timers sharing the love of the Chesapeake Bay. Her son, Dewayne, who was 21 years old at the time of his passing in March of 2022, served in the Air Force at Nellis Air Force base in Las Vegas, and her husband Zak still serves at Andrews Air Force Base as a DoD Civilian and Air National Guard, giving her ties to the military client base as well being a Military Relocation Specialist.

There’s a great amount of competition in real estate throughout the state of Maryland, where it sometimes feels that everyone and their mother has a license. Julia’s challenge was initially made even more difficult by relocating from another country. Perseverance, punctuality and German practicality have gotten her to a point where about half of her client base comes by referral. She’s very straightforward and doesn’t beat around bushes.

With her police background, she’s comfortable talking to people of all backgrounds and is never shy of making new contacts. People tend to gravitate toward that direct German honesty. She becomes a problem solver very fast and when clients see her in action, they often change from just clients to friends.

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Another trait she credits her homeland for is her precision and attention to detail. Contracts and disclosures should be handled precisely and correctly from day one, so there’s no rush to go back and revise. She’s very particular about getting everything done right the first time.

Procrastination is non-existent in her vocabulary. From the moment a new listing comes in, she takes care of every step necessary to ensure that the home presents well to buyers and that all disclosures and subsequent forms are completed properly. In the current market, well presented properties can sell in less than 24 hours, while other properties require special marketing attention on social media, in addition to the brokerage supported marketing avenues that are being utilized. Open houses are still a favorite event for Julia, and she loves hosting them when she can.

There’s a great pride in seeing the before and after of a property, finding out exactly what suits the clients’ needs to spot that one perfect property that will make a house a home for them. For Julia, it’s a somewhat low-pressure job. She’s not primarily in Real Estate for financial reasons, so she can be more relaxed, which brings a calming effect to what could otherwise become a stressful transaction for everyone involved to ensure that clients have a smooth experience, a practice she sees continuing through the foreseeable future. “In Loving Memory of Dewayne A. Stevens… I love you more!”

Contact Julia at 443-538-6089 or julia.stevens@realtynavigator.biz

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The Collins Team of ATG TITLE is proud to congratulate

Julia Stevens 6/8/22, 1:07 PM

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on being featured for the State of Maryland in Top Agent Magazine! https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13Rtp-tJRoptXVxhuqoBZ9jI9Q6chRw7u

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Dawn Nelson-Jenkins Business Development Officer Licensed Settlement Agent/Paralegal (540) 230-1061 office EASTERN SHORE OFFICES: 110 S. PINEY ST. STE. 106, CHESTER | 24 N. HARRISON ST., EASTON WESTERN SHORE OFFICE: 27 OLD SOLOMONS ISLAND RD., ANNAPOLIS

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6 Things All Successful Negotiators Do If you think about it, you’ve been negotiating your whole life. As a kid you negotiated constantly with your family, your teachers, and your classmates. If you’re a parent, you’re negotiating probably more than you ever have in your life. But it’s one thing to negotiate staying up late on a school night, people oftentimes have trouble translating those real world negotiation skills into the business world. But the truth is there are a lot similarities.

Expert negotiators all have skills and techniques they bring to the table. It’s quite possible you also have them, and don’t even realize Top Agent Magazine

it. Here’s a look at some traits that are common among expert negotiators.

1. They keep emotion out of the process It’s very easy to feel frustrated, angry and defensive during a negotiation process. But when emotions run high, it’s often difficult to respond with logic and reason. This can be especially difficult if the person you’re negotiating with tries to escalate the situation. As the saying goes, keep calm and carry on. You

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have an end goal in mind, and getting heated won’t help you meet it. If things don’t go your way, remember it’s not personal. Best to leave the table with no hard feelings. Hopefully even though you may not have gotten what you’ve wanted this time around, you’ve established a foundation for success at your next try.

2. They’re reasonable If you don’t ask for what you want you’ll never get it, but at the same time, you need to be reasonable about what you’re asking for. Yes, ask for a little more than you want, so you have some wiggle room to compromise. But if you ask for too much too soon, you might shut down the person you’re negotiating with from the start, or even worse offend them. No one wants to feel like they’re being taken advantage of. Ask for what you deserve and you’ll never go wrong. At the very least you might start the conversation on how that might be possible down the line, if it isn’t just yet.

3. They’re well-prepared Part of being reasonable is being well-prepared. One of the biggest mistakes novice negotiators make is showing up over-confident and under prepared. Have the research and facts to back up what you’re asking for. Show your negotiation partner evidence of why what you’re asking for is not only fair, but necessary. Facts are hard to shoot down. This will also give you the confidence to really push for what you want. It’s not just something you think, it’s something that’s undeniable true. If you go in unprepared you’re more likely to flounder, which will damage your credibility going into future negotiations.

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4. They always strive for a win/win solution for everyone Yes, negotiations are about getting what you want, but as the old saying goes, you get more flies with honey than vinegar. Your negotiation partner might also have reasonable requests that you need to consider. Ultimately, successful negotiations are about compromise on both sides, and ending up with an outcome that benefits everyone.

5. They’re creative Problems and conflict are a natural part of any negotiation. One surefire way to impress, is to head off any impending roadblocks, by coming up with creative solutions. It’s easy to point out problems and be negative. Truly expert negotiators think outside the box, and dazzle with innovative concepts and ideas that leave everyone excited about the process.

6. They’re good listeners Listening in order to really understand where your negotiation partner is coming from is important for two reasons: you not only want to make them feel heard, but knowing what they want is invaluable information you can use to get what you want. At the start, you’re gathering information by asking questions and really hearing what they say, which includes picking up on body language and nonverbal cues as well. This is part of being well-prepared, using every possible thing you can to have an advantage.

Being in control of the situation, and then leading everyone to a successful conclusion all around is what great negotiation is all about.

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SONIA GRAHAM Top Agent Magazine

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Top Agent Sonia Graham is the team leader of the Simple Moves Group at JPAR Mayland living, the head of training and business building at JPAR Maryland Living in addition to serving clients one-on-one.

Vibrant and always growing, the greater Baltimore region offers endless opportunities.

Many are sent here on Permanent Change of Station orders through the military, and need help finding the perfect home. When Sonia Graham and her then husband were PCS’d from Italy to Maryland years ago, confusion surrounded their real estate pursuits. “I had no idea what I was doing,” she explains. “I didn’t even know what questions to ask.” One day, 12 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

when they were leaving their broker’s office, Sonia was inspired to earn her real estate license. Aiming to alleviate the stress she experienced during her first transaction, she wanted to become a trusted resource for those looking to buy or sell. Today she is the team leader of the Simple Moves Group at JPAR Mayland living, the head of training and business building at JPAR Maryland Living in addition to serving clients one-on-one. Her main focus is VA Top Agent Magazine

buyers and sellers, as well as first time home buyers. She loves educating people about the unique process military members and veteran’s encounter during their real estate transactions.

With much of her business deriving from repeats and referrals, there’s no doubt that Top Agent Magazine

Sonia has solidified her reputation in the region. “I am always thinking outside the box,” she explains. She recalls offering video walkthroughs and FaceTime tours before they became standard during the pandemic, and streamlining documents so her clients could easily understand them. “I offer videos 13 Copyright Top Agent Magazine

When working with Sonia, clients can trust that she will be there for them through every step. “From start to finish, they will work with me and only me. That way, they can ask any questions they need and I’ll be their support system all the way through.” explaining all the paperwork, and just generally make the journey as straightforward as possible for them,” Sonia says. When working with Sonia, clients can trust that she will be there for them through every step. “From start to finish, they will work with me and only me. That way, they can ask any questions they need and I’ll be their support system all the way through.” Along the way, Sonia makes Copyright Top Agent Magazine 14

the process fun, surprising them with gifts.

When it comes to her sellers, she goes above and beyond to ensure their listing is seen by potential buyers. “I put them on social media, run ads, and take high quality photos and videos.”

After working with her, buyers and sellers never forget their experience. One recently Top Agent Magazine

said, “Sonia is hands down the most PHENOMENAL Realtor®. She was incredibly professional while keeping the process fun and engaging. Her knowledge of the market, the area, and trends made what is usually a stressful Top Agent Magazine

experience easy. She very patiently answered every single one of our questions, my what-ifs, and our late night existential crisis concerns.

We are incredibly grateful for her, 11/10 would recommend her!”

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When Sonia has the chance, she stays active in her neighborhood, participating in various local events. She was involved in her son’s senior year of high school, helping to plan after hours activities and the prom. Sonia is also an advocate for PTSD support and recovery. During her free time, she’s going to comedy shows, concerts and spending time with her family and dog.

Sonia hopes to achieve and maintain $15 million in production volume each year moving forward, in addition to teaching agents and hosting coaching events. She loves her career and can’t wait to see what the future holds. “I really enjoy learning and coming up with creative ways to fix problems, then celebrating with my clients at the end.”

For more information about Sonia Graham, please call 443-720-9491 or 410-260-0202, or email sonia@g2gmilitarymoves.com Copyright Top Agent Magazine 16

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4 Reasons Why Multitasking Can Actually Derail Your Day Common wisdom dictates that a master multitasker is likely to garner the most success. After all, doesn’t juggling multiple projects at once mean you’ll work faster than if you took each one as it came? While multitasking is often cited as a desirable skill—and surely serves its purpose now and again—studies show that a mere 2% of individuals can actually multitask effectively. Meanwhile, the remaining 98% might be doing more harm than good by trying 18

to tackle too much at once. Take a look below at some little-known facts about the risky side of waging a routine built on multitasking.

1. Multitasking decreases productivity While multitasking gives us the illusion of completing two tasks at once, it actually means

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our focus and productivity is split. In other words, switching back and forth between two activities doesn’t mean they’ll each be completed sooner; it means that you’re getting half-as-much complete as you would if you focused on a singular task. Multitasking fatigues your brain, elicits stress, and make you less efficient in retaining new information.

2. Multitasking is actually addictive While watching TV or taking a walk, have you ever noticed the impulse to check your smartphone or scroll through your social media feed? Even though we think about multitasking as a workplace skill, it’s also an addictive form of mental stimulation. By satiating our need for distraction with constant check-ins online, we become accustomed to frequent breaks in our focus, training us to crave updates, messages, and push notifications—we even hit refresh when we’ve checked in five minutes prior! This negative habit-building makes it difficult to complete sustained bouts of concentration.

3. Multitasking has negative physical side effects Studies show that those who juggle multiple focus-intensive activities actually show spikes in cortisol, a stress hormone. Likewise, frequent multitaskers display symptoms of sleep deprivation: fatigue, disorientation, and lack of focus. Studies in Europe have recently Top Agent Magazine

discovered that those who consistently multitask may actually show decreases in empathy and emotional control. What’s more, a constant sense of anticipation—readying to switch from one task to another, or persistently checking for e-mail updates—can potentially cause a decrease in overall IQ.

4. Multitasking breeds mistakes When our attention is split between tasks, it’s difficult to perceive and retain detail-oriented information. Because of this, mistakes—typos, clerical errors, mislabeled documents, and the like—occur with greater frequency. We’re in such a hurry to complete a portion of a task and switch to the next project that we lose sight of prompts, deadlines, and tying up loose ends. This means multitaskers are far more likely to overlook a glaring error than an individual who is devoting 100% of their attention to the task at hand.

Now that we understand some of the dangers of multitasking, what can we do about it? While our tech-driven day-to-day might make focusing on a singular task a difficult endeavor, it’s the surest way to produce efficient, error-free work—while cutting down on stress, fatigue, and miscommunication.

Try approaching your tasks for the day with a clear-cut schedule, moving one task at a time down your to-do list. This approach can eliminate some of the inefficiency inherent in multitasking and make for your most productive work routine yet.

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KALOYAN DOYCHINOV Coming into this field determined to succeed, REALTOR® Kaloyan Doychinov has quickly become a top producer. He was first introduced to real estate several years ago, when his friend was involved in wholesaling properties. When Kaloyan learned about renovation and distressed homes, he was inspired to earn his license and become an agent. “That way, I could help him sell his properties when the renovations were completed,” he explains. His career flourished from there, and today he assists a wide range of buyers and sellers, from investment properties to waterfront and multimillion dollar homes. “I enjoy it so much,” he explains, “You get to meet people from all walks of life, and develop good friendships along the way.” Fluent in English and Bulgarian, he can help clients from various backgrounds, conveying information in a clear manner and allowing them to make educated decisions. He abides by his company’s values of authentic, inclusive, compassionate, collaborative and impactful service.

Licensed in Maryland and Washington D.C., Kaloyan covers a large territory, going where his clients need him. From waterfront condos to suburban homes, Kaloyan has experience handling all types of properties. He knows this area well, and loves guiding his clients in finding the perfect homes and communities here. Some of his favorite restaurants include Tersiguel’s French Country Restaurant and Osteria 177. Wherever his clients are buying or selling, he puts their needs first at all times. “Much of my business consists of repeats and referrals,” he explains. “I think that’s because I provide personalized experiences, and I really connect with people.” Kaloyan makes each customer feel as if they are the only ones he is working with, giving them his full attention. He makes it a memorable experience, one that they fondly look back on and recall the strong impact he had on their journey.

“Those clients end up telling their friends and family about me, even several years after we’ve worked together,” he explains.

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With access to state-of-the-art technology that allows him to market his properties on a high level, his sellers always feel that he made their properties stand out. “My brokerage, Northrop Realty, has its own advertising department where we market homes through social media and all the top real estate sites,” he says. Kaloyan will also create an individualized approach according to the property’s features, like placing luxury properties on certain platforms where those types of buyers look. He hosts open houses and offers high quality brochures which highlight the home’s best features. “We offer professional photography and 3D Matterport, which helps buyers really envision being in the house.”

When Kaloyan has free time, he loves to help out at his daughter’s Sunday school and relax with his family.

He’s also hosting a new real estate show, which is set to be released by the end of the year.

Kaloyan is always looking to improve his skills and expand his knowledge, so he makes it a goal to read at least one book a month. “If you’re not studying, you’re not growing,” he says. “I’m constantly trying to grow, learn and inspire, so I can give my clients the best service and expertise and represent them in the best light.”

For more about Kaloyan Doychinov, please call 443-486-8212 or email kaloyandoychinov@northroprealty.com Top Agent Magazine

Thinking of Listing?

Nine Ways to Get Ready The less time a home spends on the market, the more likely it is to sell at or above list price. That’s why our Top Agents recommend getting a property ready for marketing well before listing. Anyone who is even just starting to think about listing will benefit from some basic upkeep and pre-staging work. Even if you decide now is not the time to list, you’ll enjoy these simple improvements around the home.

With the right local resources, most pre-listing preparations take less than a week and will make the formal staging process simpler for all involved.

Ask Top Agents in your area for referrals of local pros to hire. Once you’ve selected your Top Agent, keep yourself open to his or her opinion on other TLC to help decrease your home’s market time.

1. Inspection: The last thing a seller or buyer wants is a surprise at

inspection. That’s why a complete inspection before listing is so valuable.

Many necessary fixes, such as minor roof or appliance repairs, can be discovered and repaired in less than a week. If inspection uncovers a major issue, any Top Agent will tell you that this knowledge is power; disclosing and expecting to take responsibility will increase buyers’ trust without affecting market time.

2. De-Clutter: Take a little time to pack away surplus furniture items and

extra knick-knacks, papers, books or occasional-use items throughout your house. Remember this may require boxing away video game supplies or packing up comfy throw pillows and blankets. Move these items temporarily into closets, the garage or attic with the assumption of possibly renting a storage unit just before listing.

3. Paint: Whole-house painting is likely not necessary, but consider touching

up baseboard moldings and doorways and open wall spaces in high-use areas Top Agent Magazine

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such as bathrooms, the office, family room and indoor recreation spaces.

Also consider a little varnish on the front door or banister.

4. Artwork and Decor: Take a neutral look at your décor. Better yet, ask a

Top Agent to do so. Buyers should be able to picture themselves living in your home. While your Top Agent may not advise you to appear generic, you’ll likely need to thin out any shrine-like displays to family, hobbies or cultural interests.

5. Deep-Clean Housekeeping: After you’ve de-cluttered and touched up

the paint, request a deep cleaning from your housekeeping service and weekly cleanings thereafter. Make sure they pay attention to details like dusting or vacuuming window treatments and lampshades or wiping smudges off door jams and baseboard moldings.

6. Carpets and Rugs: Bring in the pros, but don’t just clean the carpets.

Because the cleaners will be moving furniture anyway, ask them stretch and tighten any buckled areas of carpeting. Doing so now saves the trouble of having to credit your buyer for this following final walk-through. Also consider removing small area rugs to let the beauty of your hardwood floors shine.

7. Look at the Loo: Buyers may not notice a brand-new toilet seat, but they

will turn up their noses at the one with the broken hinges. Freshly replaced toilet seats, faucets or doorknobs in heavily trafficked bathrooms can go a long way in first impressions.

8. “Mow & Blow”: Consider buyers as guests you want to feel welcome

as they ascend the front walk. If you don’t already have one, hire a weekly gardening service to keep up with the mowing, weeding, pruning and basic maintenance outside so you can focus on other things.

9. Staging: Once you’ve selected a staging professional for the finishing

touches, ask them and your Top Agent for final recommendations on day-today upkeep, storage options and what-to-do (or what not to do) while your house is on the market.

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Laughs!

Graham Harrop Graham Harrop Cartoons Cartoons

Putting the power of humour to work for you!

Putting the power of humour to work for you! grahamharrop.com

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