THINKING OF SELLING YOUR HOME?

At Abode, we understand that a home is where you build memories and find refuge, and it can be heart wrenching to sell. We want to simplify this process for you with our innovative marketing and creative exposure. Listing with Abode brings the real estate market to you. From getting your home ready to sell to closing, your Abode agent will walk you through the next step. So when you decide to sell a house in Colorado Springs, (and surrounding areas) start by reaching out to Abode.

SELLING PROCESS

  • Prepare to Sell

    As you get ready to sell your home there are usually some simple improvements that can help you get the most for your house and sell it quickly. Our sales professionals assist with the sales of hundreds of homes every year and can help you focus your effort on the things that will make a real difference to buyers. Have a look at our home seller tips and our home preparation advice

  • Learn Your Home’s Value Before You List

    Setting the right price before you list is critical to getting the most for your home and selling it quickly. Our Abode agents can prepare a “Competitive Market Analysis” report that gives you the facts and insight to set the right price. We offer a CMA free of charge, without obligation, that you can request online.

  • Why work with Abode Real Estate?

    A great agent helps you better understand the selling process and gives you a number of advantages in selling your home. Our local knowledge of home values and expertise in pricing and negotiating are important assets in obtaining the most for your house.

  • Marking & Networking

    Obtaining the best price is about bringing you the right buyers for your house. This is a combination of a solid marketing plan, targeted media exposure, and taking advantage of our powerful network of local and out-of-town buyers. No other firm can match our resources.

HOME PREPARATION

You want to sell your home, and you want to get the most for it you can. There are some simple tips that will help you attract a bid and ease the bidding process. You first need to place yourself in the position of the person who will be viewing your home. Remember you probably won’t be there for the showing. Things that are important or have sentimental value to you will not necessarily be of value to the viewer of your home and frankly your presence may hurt your home’s attractiveness to the viewer. You wouldn’t want to be in a home with the owners hovering over your shoulder talking about how they picked out the carpet, or fixed a light, or how their daughter just loves to climb the tree out back. Viewers of a home need to be conscious of the tangible benefits of that home. Because a great deal of emotion is tied to a home, it is impossible for the owner to be objective. If you plan on being there for the showing and have an agent, reconsider whether you should participate in the home staging process.

Assuming you aren’t going to be there in the home at the time of showing, try to imagine viewing your home as a stranger. Is it neat and tidy? Does it have a pleasant smell? Is it open and inviting? Is it brightly lit? Are there obvious small repairs that could be done? Is the yard neat and tidy? Are the garage, basement and attic neat and tidy? Maybe you’ve noticed the words neat and tidy several times. A perception of uncleanliness is an immediate turnoff to viewers of your home.

If you give your home a thorough cleaning, paint it with a fresh coat and do yard work, you will make a good impression. Choose neutral colors with paint. Shampoo any carpets and wax hardwood floors. You want your home to be perceived as ready to move in. Cut and edge your lawn and trim any hedges. It’s also time to clear out your storage areas and unnecessary clutter. Home viewers are going to see every part of your home so there are no hiding places for clutter (closet, basement, attic). You may also want to consider moving your car out of the garage to give it a larger appearance.

Lighting is important. You should consider purchasing a few inexpensive halogen lights for darker areas of your house. Remember a home should look clean, bright and uncluttered. Although it may be a lot of work, these things will help tremendously in the sale of your home.

HOME SELLER TIPS

START FROM THE OUTSIDE AND WORK YOUR WAY IN
Don’t underestimate the importance of drive-up appeal. A well-manicured lawn, neatly trimmed shrubs and a clean walkway all help make a good first impression. Also, repair or replace damaged screens, glass panes, door hardware and other outdoor fixtures.

INVEST IN PAINT
Paint livens up a dingy room and makes it fresh and more appealing. Use soothing colors like white or other neutral tones.

INVITE SUNSHINE
Open your curtains, shades or drapes to let in the sun and brighten the room. Washing windows inside and out will add a sparkle to your room. Also, turn on lamps or accent lighting and replace missing lightbulbs. This helps to make the room more inviting.

MEND MINOR FLAWS
Check squeaky and hard-to-open windows, doors, door knobs, drawers and sliding-glass doors for ease of operation and provide adjustments or lubrication as necessary. Make sure all your plumbing is in working order, too. And always clean rust and soiled spots, empty trash baskets and deodorize pet and smoking areas.

DECORATIVE KITCHENS SELL A HOME
Create a comfortable atmosphere in the kitchen with colorful curtains, cup towels and place mats. Clear countertops of appliances and add green plants or bowls of fruit. Remember, prospective buyers will look inside cabinets, so make space in cabinets and clean inside and out.

BLEND COLOR AND CONVENIENCE IN BATHROOMS
Remove clutter from bathroom vanities and cabinets. Be sure to scrub the sinks, tub, shower, and polish mirrors and chrome. Always clean the floors and walls, and deodorize the area. Put out nice towels, and add some scented soaps or candle.

LIVING AND DINING AREAS REVEAL INTERESTS
Arrange your living- and dining-room furniture to create an open, friendly effect. Straighten cluttered bookshelves and discard excess papers. Clean all the carpets, and polish the furniture and hardwood floors. By adding a few logs in the fireplace, and magazines, books and flowers to the coffee table, you’ll portray an inviting and well-maintained home.

FAMILY ROOMS ARE FOR RELAXATION
In family rooms, you should store games and sports equipment or arrange them in attractive containers. Your goal is to eliminate the clutter. Turn off all entertainment units and play soft, relaxing music. Place furniture in conversational groups, and showcase books and magazines on tables or shelves.

BEDROOMS MUST INVITE REST AND PEACE
Avoid a crowded look in the bedroom by removing excess furniture and unnecessary items — keeping the room light and bright. Attractive, clean and crisp bed linens, with decorative pillows and shams, are important to help add peace and tranquility to the room. Arrange nightstands to display books, plants and family photos.

VALUE GOES FROM TOP TO BOTTOM
Permit visitors to see the value of your property from the front entrance to the back and through the garage. Remove unnecessary artifacts, and neatly arrange stored boxes and cartons. Darker spaces may be lightened with new paint or additional lights in room and for stairs.

PRICING YOUR HOME

Pricing homes is not an exact science. Your home’s value is only as good as the price a qualified buyer is willing to pay. Here are some keys determining home prices:

  1. Location
  2. The condition of your home
  3. Competitive pricing of comparable properties offered for sale
  4. The local market conditions
  5. The pricing and terms under which your home will be offered for sale

BIDS AND OFFERS

Whether you are buying or selling a home, consider the sale as a transaction beneficial to both parties. Take an offer seriously, and don’t get offended if it is below the price you are asking. You may always negotiate or reject an offer. If you have multiple offers you do not have to accept the higher offer. Some terms in another offer may be more important. For all purposes, this is a business transaction that requires multiple parties and often outside services and financing. The “other” services require more time than most people think, but the key to moving the entire process along is an agreement, legally binding, between the buyers and sellers of a home.

ABOUT OUR SERVICES

We will listen to your needs and want to establish our goals and objectives. We work as a team to meet the goals and you will continually be in the loop during the entire process. In this fast paced market, we believe communication is key in meeting our goals and building our relationship.

Knowing that you are reading this right now, tells us that you are comfortable with the Internet and email and that means you will be able to take advantage of our 24 hour electronic assistant right here on our Website.

Please use our Website to provide you powerful features such as the access to the MLS through our Search Page to help you narrow down the ideal home.

OUR MISSION

As your professional real estate advisor, we focus on client satisfaction. Our business is about service and we are not happy until you are happy. Our years in the business have provided us the experience to assist you with nearly every real estate need. Whether it’s finding you a home, finding the best loan, or helping you getting the most out of selling your home we are here to guide you. If there is anything you need, please let us know.

Our satisfied clients are our best resources for new business. In this very competitive business of real estate, service makes the difference. Our service is second to none and has earned us a valuable source of referrals. If you are considering a real estate professional, please give us an opportunity to earn your business too. We are confident you will be very happy!