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How to Sell Your House Yourself

Joe and Mary's "Hot" Buyer

How to sell your house yourself, was becoming less and less enjoyable. It had become a routine by Fri.

Joe and Mary received several calls from people responding to their newspaper ad each day. The dialog went something like the following.

If you want to follow the Joe and Mary story in a sequence of events, each page is numbered from #1 to #13 at the bottom of each page. This page is #7.

Q. How much are you asking?

A. We want to sell for $319,900.00.

Q. Where is the house located?

A. 123 Anywhere Street here in Any City.

More questions that faked interest. "I have to talk to my husband or wife first".

A. Great. Please call us back.

They never did.

And then it happened! Ring!

M: Hello.

Caller: Yes, I was calling on your house for sale ad in today's paper. Where is the house located?

M: 123 Anywhere Street.

Caller: Great, my husband and I love that area. How much are you asking?

M: We'd like to sell for $319,900.00, but we are flexible.

Caller: Is there any chance we could come take a look at your place after supper?

M: (Trying to hide her excitement). Sure, how about 6:30?

That would be great. We'll see you then.

The Next Step

How to sell your house yourself Tip #1: If you do have a conversation similar to above, try to continue with a few basic questions. These would include:

A) I'm Mary...and you are...?

B) And your husband's name....?

C) Just in case, what is a number I can reach you at Susan?

D) If you can't make it, could you give us a quick call?

How to sell your house yourself Tip #2: Do NOT try to sell the house on the phone. Once you have the appointment to view and unless they ask questions, just try to get a name and number.

Most people will feel obligated to give you a name and number if you offer yours first. I'm Doug, pause, and you are? pause

Just in case, slight pause, what number can I reach you at? pause

In case of what? When it concerns how to sell your house yourself, you don't know and you really don't care. You want the number to verify the caller.

After say an hour, you can phone back that number and perhaps say something like: "Hi Susan, When you arrive this evening, we might be in the backyard. So, if we don't answer the front door, just come around to the back, OK?"

What are You Really Doing?

What you are really doing, is making sure that:

• The number you were given, is attached to the actual people that called you.
• Confirming that these people are actually likely to show up.

Always try to call back the people that made an appointment. This will establish that they are who they say they are.

It serves as a security check as well. No one will give their real phone number out if they are up to no good, or they have no intentions of showing up for the appointment.

The Showing

After an early dinner, our couple tried to relax before the big "Viewing".

At precisely 6:30, the doorbell rang. Both jumped up and headed for the front door. After a brief meet and greet, the young couple Susan, Neil and their young toddler Sean, are invited inside.

Joe and Mary then proceed to lead their prospective buyers on the grand tour. Both were very excited and pointed out every nook and cranny in the house. They hardly took a breath. They bragged about all the wonderful features of their home.

In other words, they went into hard sell mode.

"This is the kitchen" Joe would say. "We installed the dishwasher 2 years ago and put a new finish on the counter-top. This floor was replaced about 3 years ago and we had those recessed ceiling lights installed at the same time."

Mary would continue: "OK, lets head to the living room and I'll show you all the great features there!" Sean tried to play hide-and-go-seek with everyone.

How to sell your house yourself Tip #4 Don't do what our couple did and try to sell, please. When a prospective buyer shows up, let them lead the way and let them talk and ask questions. Unless their is a special feature that they will most likely miss, just observe them. Why?

To find out how to show a house, go From How to Sell Your House to How to Show Your House

Special Note: If a buyer shows up to view the house with a small child or children in tow, if there are two of you, offer to keep the children occupied while the other shows the house.

After the Tour

After the grand tour was completed for the buyers, they all ended out in the front driveway sharing small talk.

Neil asked Joe how they had arrived at the price of $319,900.00 and he explained how they had compared properties in the neighborhood that were also trying to sell.

Susan asked Mary if they were flexible with the price and she said they might sell for a bit less, but they felt it was worth every cent they were asking.

They both than went into another "sales pitch" explaining all the reasons that their particular house was worth more than several others for sale.

The buyers listened and nodded their heads in agreement.

Neil then mentioned that Susan and him had to get home, but they would "Think it Over" and get back to our sellers.

Joe and Mary nodded their heads and said that was a good idea.

Susan climbed into the back seat with little Sean.

Everyone smiled and looked happy as the buyers headed down the driveway.

How to sell your house yourself Tip #5 Actually this will be Tips.

• Try to end out in the kitchen, not the driveway, when you finish a viewing of your house. To find out why, go to Kitchen Magic
• You should ALWAYS try to get a certified appraisal on your property when you sell by owner. Why? Go From How to Sell Your House to Why a Certified Appraisal
• Unless a buyer is actually interested in buying your house, you can't "sell" them your house.
• "We would like to go home and think it over." After, "I'll have to talk it over with my spouse first", this is the most common escape statement in real estate.

In other words it means. "We aren't interested, so we'll make an excuse to leave and you'll never here from us again."

The Aftermath

After the showing, Joe and Mary discussed how everything had went. They still held out hope that these buyers would call them back, but after the week-end came and went, they had to come to the conclusion their chances were slim to none, to sell to this couple.

On Monday evening, Joe and Mary were feeling less than optimistic about how to sell your house yourself! They briefly discussed whether they should perhaps just sell with a real estate agent.

M: I'm not ready to give up yet Joe. We've only been trying for a bit over a week.

J: Well, I'm game if you are. Perhaps we should have the property appraised and see what they come up with for price.

M: I was thinking the same thing. Lets give "LMNOP Appraisals" a call in the morning and order an appraisal.

When it comes to how to sell your house yourself, our for sale by owner couple, are in for a bit of a rude awaking......

For More Information about the Joe and Mary Story

#1 The Joe and Mary Story Main Page

#2 Joe and Mary Select a Sign

#3 Joe and Mary Prepare Their House to Sell

#4 Our by Owner Couple Place a Newspaper Ad

#5 Joe and Mary Go Online

#6 Our Hero's Answer Ad Calls

#8 Joe and Mary Decide to get an Appraisal

#9 Joe and Mary Prepare for Open House

#10 Our for Sale by Owner's do their First Open House

#11 Joe and Mary get a 2nd House Showing

#12 Joe and Mary get an Offer

#13 Joe and Mary Close the Deal!

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