Selling a House With a Realtor

Steps To Selling a House With a Realtor Fast For Top Dollar

Gustan Cho Associates are mortgage brokers licensed in 48 states

In this article, we will cover and discuss the steps to selling a house with a realtor fast for top dollar. We interviewed John Hartnett, a veteran licensed Illinois real estate agent who is an expert in representing both home sellers and buyers in the Chicagoland area. Do you want your home to look like a model home? These strategies help maximize the number of people interested in your home.

This guide on steps to selling a house with a realtor fast for top dollar was prepared by Alex Carlucci by interviewing John Harnett of Compass Real Estate of Crystal Lake. In the following sections below, we will go in depth covering the steps to selling a house with a realtor fast for top dollar.

What Is The Secret To a Fast Sale of a Property

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The more interest, the more buyers, and the better chance your home will sell, fast! These tips will help you sell your home quicker at the best possible price. When asked John Hartnett on what is the secret to a fast sale of a property, John responded:

We have spent the past month with John Hartnett combing the Western Suburbs of Chicago to see the top producing real estate agent at work. Despite the slowdown recently of both listing and homebuyers, John Hartnett did not experience a bit of a pullback. Actually, he said his business has picked up 25% over the past quarter which is amazing.

What Should You Not Fix When Selling The House

Price Home Right

Pricing it Right Is The first of the Top 10 Best Kept Secrets For Selling Your Home Fast is pricing your home right. Price sells a home faster than any other factor. Again, John Harnett offers the following advice to home sellers on his expertise:

If a listing price is set higher than 5% above market it discourages buyers. As these buyers look around they know they can get more elsewhere and may not come back for a second look if you lower the price.

What Makes a House Hard To Sell?

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Move-in Condition- The second of the top 10 best-kept secrets for selling your home is making it in move-in-condition. Next to the right price, buyers want a property that is move-in ready. Get rid of the clutter, make it Q-tip clean, and refurbish where needed. Elbow grease can be just as effective as cash. John Hartnett adds the following comments:

John Hartnett is one of our top preferred realtor partners at Gustan Cho Associates who sells homes between $500,000 and $28 million with partnering with Alex Carlucci, a top mortgage loan officer and regional managing director at Gustan Cho Associates. Both John Hartnett and Alex Carlucci agree unanimously on the following list of good investments to be done prior to listing the house. Good investments are:
  • shampooing the carpet
  • polish the floor
  • stronger light bulbs
  • open curtains, oil for hinges
  • window cleaner
  • brass polish
  • bagged limestone for damp odors
  • hydrogen peroxide mixed with cream of tartar for stained porcelain
  • soap scum remover for ceramic tile

A clean home will show better and your light fixtures will sparkle like jewelry!

What Makes a House Easy To Sell?

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Curb Appeal- There is only one chance to make a first impression, right? This is the first impression buyers have of your home. If they fall in love with the outside they will want to see the inside. If a buyer isn’t immediately drawn from the outside, chances are the first impression will not be counteracted by the perfect floor plan or interior décor. John Hartnett said the following on the FAQs on what makes a house easy to sell:

Spruce up the outside by keeping the lawn mowed and shrubs trimmed. Make sure shutters are straight and blinds are at the same height across the front of the home for a uniform appearance. Clean or paint the front door and mailbox. Make sure windows are clean and walkways are clear. Put away garbage cans, garden hoses, and lawn ornaments. You may love your gnomes but the buyer may not.
What Makes a House Easy To Sell

How Do You Sell a House Full of Everything

Brighten the Décor- Consider fresh paint in neutral colors. They are less likely to clash with other people’s furniture and accessories. This is probably the best dollar for dollar investment in selling a home.

Also, think about replacing the carpet. A buyer can steam clean an old or stained carpet but new carpeting can make a big difference and be a nice return on investment.

What Are The Top Things That Sells a House?

Focus Rooms

There are a few factors sellers should take the advice of their listing real estate agent, according to John Hartnett. First concentrate on cleaning up the clutter and do not make the showing claustrophobic. Here is what John Hartnett said:

Focus Rooms- The kitchen, master bedroom, and garage are the three most inspected areas in any home. In the kitchen, clear counters and cabinets. Yes, buyers will look in your cabinets, pantry, and refrigerators. Some buyers may judge the whole house on the cleanliness of the appliances. Create spaciousness in the master bedroom by removing or moving furniture. Clear the closets of unused or seasonal clothes to make them appear larger. Get the junk out of the garage. It too will appear larger and ensure there is enough room for cars and storage.

What Is The First Step In Selling a Home Fast?

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John Harnett advises to be open minded to various financing options. The more open you are to financing options such as offering the maximum seller concessions or offer the buyers the 2-1 buydown mortgage option. Being open to various financing options means the seal that closes the deal. John Hartnett add the following comment:

The more buyers that can afford your property, the better, and quicker you’ll sell. Consider FHA or VA financing, paying closing costs, points, a decorator’s allowance, a price reduction, or seller financing. Flexibility may give you an edge over the competition.

10 Best Kept Secrets For Selling Your Home: Teamwork

Work as a Team- Tell your agent what you love about your home and neighborhood for additional selling points. In return, the agent will provide feedback from prospective buyers to ensure the home is at its maximum marketability.

What Makes a House More Attractive To Buyers?

Accenting- Add charm and a welcoming touch by adding color and fragrance. Depending on the time of year, seasonal potted flowers by the front door, fresh-cut flowers, a wreath on the front door, or birch wood in the fireplace, helps to set the stage. You want the buyer to be able to envision living in the space.

Adding potpourri, cinnamon sticks in the oven, (be sure to turn it off just before showing) and placing candles on electric warmers give a warm fuzzy feeling. Lemon is said to entice buyers to buy. Consider running a lemon through the garbage disposal!

What Month of The Year Is Best To Show Your Home For a Fast Sale?

Showing Your Home

How to Show- During showings and open houses plan to be away from the home. Statistically, buyers spend more time in a property when the owner is not present. The more time a buyer spends in the property, the better the chance at an offer. John Harnett adds that May, June, and July are the best killer months for homebuyers to make offers on a home and the worst months of the year, as expected is October through December.

You want buyers looking at the home not socializing with you or leaving early because they feel like an intruder. Be sure to secure pets. Some people may be afraid or allergic. Set the mood by putting on soft music and turn all the lights on. You want the home to appear bright and inviting

What Is Reasonable To Negotiate on a House?

Negotiating & Accepting an Offer- Reply as soon as possible. When buyers make an offer they are in the mood to buy. Don’t let too much time pass, you don’t want them to experience buyer’s remorse. Again, John Harnett offers the following statement from his 20 years in the real estate career as a full-time licensed real estate agent:

Be positive and flexible in negotiations. After all, you both want the same thing, a closed transaction. It can be challenging and even fun. Leave the details up to us. That’s what we’re trained to do!

Teamwork With John Hartnett and Alex Carlucci

John Hartnett is one of our top preferred real estate agents at Gustan Cho Associates. Since the team at Gustan Cho Associates is licensed in 48 states including DC, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, our homebuyers nationwide often ask for a reputable real estate agent in their city and state.

John, always takes a leadership role and has thousands of family, friends, and associates who are expert realtors and know the area like its their back yard. John Hartnett is also an associate contributing editor for Gustan Cho Associates and its affiliate and sister media networks and partner subsidiaries. One of John’s viral blogs is the 10 Best Kept Secrets For Selling Your Home.

About The Author of Steps To Selling a House With a Realtor Fast For Top Dollar

John Hartnett is the owner/broker of Edge Realty LLC. Julie Hayward is also a writer for Gustan Cho Associates. John Hartnett is a veteran licensed real estate agent and broker in the state of Illinois. John Hartnett is the owner/broker of Edge Realty LLC, one of the fastest-growing real estate companies in the Chicago Area. John Hartnett is an expert in all areas of Will County, DuPage County, Cook County, McHenry County, Kane County, and Lake County of Illinois.

John Hartnett and his team are the real estate professionals of choice by most mortgage professionals in Chicago and the surrounding area. John Hartnett’s brother, Jerry Hartnett, is a prominent real estate attorney and bankruptcy lawyer in Crystal Lake, Illinois. From his bankruptcy attorney brother Jerry Hartnett, John Hartnett knows the ins and outs of short sales, foreclosures, and is a REO expert.

About Chicago and Surrounding Suburbs Realtor John Hartnett: One Realtor You Should Know!!!

John Hartnett is the realtor of choice for home sellers and homebuyers. John is a dedicated top producing real estate agent for Compass Real Estate Agent. Not only is John Hartnett knowledge in real estate, foreclosures, law, and lending but his expertise and creativeness of knowing the Chicagoland and surrounding suburbs like his backyard is a major asset for his sellers and buyers alike.  Home Buyers and sellers can contact John Hartnett at 1-312-890-9275 or text him for a faster response. Or email John at john.hartnett@compass.com. John Hartnett  is available 7 days a week, evenings, weekends, and holidays to take your phone calls and answer all of your real estate questions.


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