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CEO Kelly on CNBC: 'It All Depends on the Stimulus Plan'

REMAX CEO Margaret Kelly speaks to real estate agents and home buyers about the current status of the market.  Agent and homebuyers need to understand that there are approximately 2.3 million homes in the US that are currently in some stage of foreclosure. Agents need to get education on how to get short sales and REO properties to the table. Homebuyers need to make sure that they are working with educated agents.  If you are looking to purchase a property that is listed as a short sale or REO/ Bank foreclosure make sure that your agent knows how to process these deals. The pending Stimulus plan will bring greater opportunity for both agents and homebuyers. Click the link to watch the video. CEO Kelly on CNBC: \’It All Depends on the Stimulus Plan\’

• Cleaning everything is a must. Walk around your home inside and out looking up and down. Buyers will do the same. You will see what they will see. If you see something that needs cleaning take care of it NOW. If the leaves are falling over the side of the gutters clean them. I recently showed a Buyer a home that had so many leaves and branches spilling over the gutters that the Buyer made mention and immediately felt that the home was neglected. Clean all the webs away. Wipe down the walls or repaint if necessary. Have carpets cleaned or replaced if damaged or heavily soiled. One of the most overlooked thing I find is the vent system in the home. The vents will have years of dust on them or someone has painted over them with the dust on them and they appear lumpy. They are very easy to change or clean. I am sure you get where I am coming from by now. If you have to question whether or not you should do it. JUST DO IT!
• De-clutter every room and closet in your home. Make sure there is a clear path from the front door to all rooms and stairways in the home. Make sure that there is a clear path to all windows in the home. Buyers like to see what the view from the windows look like. PLEASE do not throw all items that you want to hide from the room into the closets. Believe it or not Buyers will look in the closets. You will not believe how many times I have shown a home where a closet door was opened and various items fall out. Sometimes so much falls out that the door cannot be re-closed. Here is a suggestion. If you want to hide items in a closet buy storage bins and place the items in them and place them in the closet. This will keep the items tidy and unseen.
• Repair what ever is broken. When the Buyer that selects your home has their home inspection THEY WILL FIND IT! It is better for you to repair broken items prior to the home inspection. This will allow your property to remain valuable in the Buyers eyes and the Home Inspector will sing your praises to the Buyer. I can tell you that when most home inspectors see a well cared for home that has been properly prepared for the market they make sure that the Buyer knows what a gem they are buying.

I know you are probably saying to yourself why should I spend money and do all this work to sell my home? I can tell you if a home is not in tip top shape Buyers will not bite. Buyers are deducting from the asking price all needed changes and repairs they feel will have to be done or they are not making an offer at all. There are simply too many to choose from. MAKE YOUR HOME SHINE AND IT WILL SELL!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22604755/