It’s a dream come true: you stick the for sale sign in your yard, buyers come clamoring, and within a day your house is under contract for more than the listing price. Sound too good to be true? Think again.

This scenario was just one of our success stories this past month. And there are many more stories just like this one, which is why Keller Williams Key Partners trumped the region’s averages in 2011. Overall, sales in the Kansas City metropolitan area were down nearly 8% compared with total sales in 2010; at Key Partners, our sales grew by a whopping 62%. Not only did we sell houses closer to their original list price than our competition, translating into thousands of dollars for our clients, we sold them in just two-thirds the amount of time it took our competition to sell houses. Faster, closer to full list price, more houses. At Key Partners, we captured a greater share of the real estate market, and we turned it over quickly. 

How did we do it?

If you’re hoping for the same results when selling your own house, I can help. Here are a few things to consider before you plant that for sale sign in your own front yard.

1) Yes, it IS a beauty contest.

You may look at your home and appraise its value based on memories of family holidays or the shelter of a quiet winter evening, but a stranger looking to buy has a different set of criteria. For today’s buyer, value lies in how fresh, clean and updated the house looks. As a Real Estate Professional, I can give you pointers on staging your home to get the desired response from potential buyers. You wouldn’t go on a first date without sprucing up; do the same for your house.  

2) Do the prep work.

One of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make is rushing his house to market. If you want top dollar for your home, present it to buyers as move-in ready. That means making sure it passes the “white glove” test both inside and out BEFORE IT GOES ON THE MARKET. Fix that leaky faucet and that loose stair tread; make your paintbrush your new best friend. The greater your effort before you list, the greater your chance of selling quickly.

3) Price it right.

Here’s where my expertise really comes into play. By studying the market and keeping up with housing trends, I have the knowledge to help you decide on the best price for your house. A home is worth what someone will pay for it. Because I work daily with sellers and buyers, I can help you determine just where that elusive number lies. 

Keeping these tips in mind, together we can make the next success story your story.