Remember When Selling

TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOURS

BEFORE YOU LIST

YOUR HOME FOR SALE

Getting ready to put your home on the market? Make sure you have a chat with your neighbours.

Often I find people are quite concerned about their neighbours knowing their business and fail to warn them that there is about to be a "For Sale" sign appearing on the lawn. While you may not care about your neighbour's surprise, they can definitely have a negative impact on prospective buyers or the amount that will be offered for your home.

How? Well, here are some things neighbours have said to me when I've come to look at a home that's listed for sale:

"OMG, they are desperate to sell the house. They're getting divorced and fighting every day."

"Yeah, they bought a home already and they have to get the house sold or they'll end up with two mortgages."

or my favourite:

"I think after they were robbed, they just wanted to get out of here."

Now, when I'm working for my buyer I'm delighted to hear this information. It can result in my not showing the home at all, or making an offer for less money than I would have suggested if I did not possess this kind of inside information. So... talk to those neighbours. Tell them you're really hoping that your new neighbours are as terrific as them - even if it's not true ... and then ask them not to talk to any buyers or realtors that come by to view the house!

Realtors are usually pretty friendly people and your neighbours likely don't mean you any harm but, other than raving about your neighbourhood, it's really best that they are asked to divulge nothing.