THINKING TO LISTING?

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

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.

WAYNE PEACOCK

Wayne Peacock began his real estate career after working in health care management at a local hospital. “A friend of mine was trying to get me into real estate for years,” Wayne recalls, “and eventually I thought, I’ve got contacts, I like working with people and I’m in customer service already, so I’ll give it a try.” When he finally took the leap, Wayne says, “I loved it, and I haven’t looked back.”

As a Realtor® with Coldwell Banker High Country in Murphy, Wayne serves Cherokee County and Clay County in North Carolina, as well as Fannin County, Union County, and Towns County in Georgia. After just under 2 years in the industry, Wayne is already beginning to see increased repeat and referral business, a testament to the trust and confidence he inspires. Wayne attributes this to his perseverance and follow-up. “I’m dedicated to getting the job done and staying on top of things for my clients,” he says.

Wayne’s deep involvement with his community also goes a long way to earning his clients’ trust. “I’m very well connected in the community, and I owned a business here before I started going into real estate,” he explains. “I have a lot of contacts and know a lot of people in town, as well as being the current president of the Murphy Business Association. I’ve built on those connections to grow the business, and a lot of people come to me because I’ve already proven that I’m a trustworthy person through my community involvement. They already feel like they know me, and that helps a lot.”

When it comes to marketing his listings, Wayne uses a combination of techniques to ensure that a home achieves maximum exposure and is presented in its best light. In addition to syndication through Realtor. com, Zillow, and similar platforms, Wayne uses social media extensively to market his listings. He also holds virtual open houses and works with a professional photographer to represent a property faithfully and attractively to potential buyers. Wayne also promotes listings via his monthly newsletter and his own website.

Wayne’s community involvement takes many forms. He donates to and volunteers with the Humane Society, is active in the Chamber of Commerce, and he currently runs the Murphy Business Association, a nonprofit organization to help bring businesses together and help businesses network in the community.

Looking to the near future, Wayne says, “This year will be a challenge because inventory is limited, but I want to continue growing and developing my business.” That includes continuing to build on his social presence in the community and growing those personal connections. “That’s what clients are looking for, someone they feel like they can relate to and connect with,” Wayne says. “I really enjoy working with people, getting to know people and helping them find what they’re looking for. That can be a challenge, and I like a challenge. Every day is different, and that’s what I love about working in real estate.”

To find out more about Wayne Peacock, you can contact him by cell at 850-380-6874, or by email at waynepeacock@cbhighcountry.com. You can also find him online at www.waynesthebomb.com

HECTOR PEREZ

With his signature patience, passion, and enthusiasm for helping others, real estate was a natural fit for Hector Perez. Now with almost three years experience as a Realtor® at eXp Realty, Hector has grown a thriving business in Montclair, New Jersey, serving the northern counties across the state. He has been recognized for his service, including receiving the 2019 Circle of Excellence Bronze, and the 2020 Circle of Excellence Silver.

For Hector, his role as a Realtor® is about empowering his clients through education and providing them with knowledgeable, considerate, and attentive service. Because of Hector’s high customer-care standards and his drive to go above and beyond for his clients, already his business is mostly referral-based. “I anticipate my clients’ needs,” Hector says. “Because of that, they have a fantastic experience.”

Hector believes in the power of interpersonal skills, and he applies his extensive knowledge to his work. “I read a lot, and one author in particular, Tom ‘Big Al’ Schreiter, talks about how we’re six times more likely to want to work with someone we like, know and trust,” Hector says. “I put my heart on my sleeve with my clients. I put their needs before mine, not only because it’s my fiduciary responsibility, but also because it’s fulfilling to see someone happy with their decision and able to achieve their lifelong goal of home ownership.” of their home, especially during the start of the pandemic.”

It is difficult for Hector to choose one thing he likes most about his career, because he is passionate about so much of his profession. “I enjoy the process,” Hector says, “and I love the people. I’ve developed new relationships with clients because the journey is so personal and such a big decision. It’s an honor to be by their side through it. I also love the growth I feel from learning new things every day. I love that sense of gaining new skills.”

Invested in giving back to the industry, Hector is actively involved with the North Central New Jersey Association of Realtors®, where he volunteers as a member of the YPN Advisory Board, Diversity Committee, and Grievance Committee. He is the author of the Amazon bestseller, Home to Home: The Step by Step Senior Housing Guide. Having completed an eXp University Certification Mentorship program, Hector teaches others the business. “I try to give back in as many ways as possible,” Hector says. “It helps me stay away from the finite mindset, which is really important, especially when times are tough. I try to remember there’s more to give than to get.” When he is not helping clients, he loves to exercise. “Even when I’m working out, I’m usually on the phone with a client,” Hector says. “I’m always trying to help.”

For Hector, the next step in his journey will be to develop a team who can replicate the client experience Hector is able to provide. “I do not want to sacrifice the client experience for quantity,” Hector says, “but if I can train and empower smart and dedicated people, then I feel like I would be able to help even more families accomplish their goals.”

This past year saw Hector develop innovative ways to market his clients’ listings. “One of our core values at eXp is agility, and this past year really brought that to the fore,” Hector says. “We started retrofitting every listing with 3-D virtual tours, which our clients loved because they felt we were protecting the safety

To find out more about Hector Perez, call 609-534-0297 or 866-201-6210 ext 217, email hectorRealtorperez@gmail.com or visit hectorperez.exprealty.com