Effective Advertising and Internet Presence and Exposure are key elements in getting your home from listed to SOLD! Professional Management and Search Engine Optimization places a realtor's site as one of the top sites in several search engines. A state-of-the-art web page gives Buyers instant home search results, enabling them to find your home quickly and often when surfing the web. This is good news for you, the Seller, as more Buyers will be viewing your home when working with your real estate team!

Full color, weekly advertisements in the local Real Estate Publications, Full-Color Marketing booklets within the home, and weekly communication regarding traffic and open houses should be provided by your local realtor when you choose to sell with them.

A Marketing Plan created provides Sellers with a step-by-step, weekly marketing calendar including Staging, Virtual Tours, Open House and Realtor Showing Feedback. A proven plan that works, and keeps you informed of the progress of the sale of your home ? and allows the realtor to sell your home at its highest value, in the shortest amount of time.

Your Home's First Impression and Curb Appeal

The first presentation of your home is from the street, which is called ?curb appeal?, and it will greatly impact the Buyers first impression of how the home is cared for and maintained. Remember, buying a home is an emotional process, and take care to ensure the home views as nicely on the outside of the home as it does on the inside. Take care to:

* Remove any debris/junk, toys, garbage receptacles, or clutter from the yard

* Have a freshly mowed, crisp/clean front lawn (a bit of fertilizer makes for a greener lawn!)

* Trim shrubbery and hedges, Weed all rock beds/landscaping rock

* Wash/freshly stain deck; wash off porches and make sure they are not stained

* Clean and paint/stain front door of house, service doors on garage

* Make sure all exterior and interior lights are functioning

* Clean windows inside and out; ensure all windows are operational

* Clean out gutters and downspouts

* Walkways should be swept and free of snow and ice during winter months

* Garage should be neat and tidy ? door closed for showings/open houses

Through Open Doors

Most buyers do not have a vision - help the buyer to visualize their belongings in your home, and by presenting your home dressed its best! Here are some minor investments which may prove to bring major returns:

* Freshly Paint Walls ? when it comes to preparing a house, fresh paint gives you the best return for the money spent

* Flooring ? At the very least, all carpeting needs to be steam cleaned. Any worn, stained or foul smelling carpet should be replaced. Any flooring that is cracked or damaged should be replaced, if possible.

* Clutter ? If something is not necessary for your day-to-day life, box it up and store it or throw it out!

* Closets ? Closets need to be neat, clean, and organized.

* Cleaning ? The cleaner, the better. Dusting, washing, waxing, and polishing everything will always make a good impression.

* Lights ? Clean the fixtures and make sure the bulbs work.

* Windows ? Replace any cracked windows.

As always, seek further information, but taking these points into consideration, will help you get well on your way to a successful home sale in the Minnesota real estate market.

Copyright ? Tim Williams