You should follow these fives steps to ensure you acquire the right property in the market:

1. Before starting to look, do your own research and get some detailed information about the property market. To secure a good deal, you must be well informed and must be able to apply different buying strategies when faced with challenges. Thus, it is important to always take time to research and understand the dos and don’ts that are associated with buying property.
2. Decide in advance on the kind of structure you want. There are many different real estate designs in any market, and you can quickly get caught up in the excitement. Before you start looking at houses, have a picture in your mind of what you want, and try not get distracted by all of the different available options. Use the Internet to identify the different options available before you actually go shopping. You can also get detailed information from the different Mls property magazines that are usually produced each month.
3. Seek referrals from people you know and trust. If you have a neighbor who has just moved in, find out how he learned of the property and the steps he took until he successfully bought or rented the house he is living in. By talking to people, you will be able to learn more about the best agents to work with and the property market rates that many dealers currently operate within.
4. Identify, approach and discuss with a trustworthy real estate agent about your immediate needs. Getting a good agent is not usually as difficult as many assume. By looking at their past record, and meeting with them, you can quickly determine if a particular realtor is the right one for you or not. Other things to look at include the professional experience, the reputation they hold and the service license they hold. When discussing with the agent, ensure that you inform them of your needs and expectations. It is also important to agree on how much you will pay them for their services, if anything at all. Typically, the seller pays 2.5% of the sale price to the agent selling the house, and 2.5% to the agent that brings the buyer. They buyer doesn’t usually pay anything to the agent for their services.
5. When the right house has been identified, set some time aside to visit and assess the place before making any final decisions or putting down any deposits. Check the general décor when touring the place. If you are planning on buying a fully furnished house, find out if the house has all the necessities in place or not. Carry out a detailed assessment that will help you make up your mind on whether to buy the property or not.

Once you are satisfied with your choice, ask your realtor to draw up and offer and present it to the seller. If the offer is accepted, documents such as the title deed and other relevant ownership certificate will be signed and exchanged. It is advisable to have a lawyer review all documents before you sign anything. This will ensure that your assets are protected, and that the closing will go smoothly and on time.

First take a look at the exterior of your home. The front yard is going to be the very first impression of any potential buyers approaching the home. Be sure the lawn is neatly trimmed as well as all the bushes and trees. Color in the yard is always a nice idea so think about planting some colorful flowers either in the yard or at least in a few flower pots. A fresh flower pot by the front door is a good idea as well. Be sure you clean the outside of your home especially the front door area. Remove all dirt, cobwebs, dust, trimmings, feathers and anything else that causes your home not to look attractive. A welcome mat by the front door is a good idea.

In the backyard do all the same things you did to the front but also include making sure the pool is spotless, the water feature is running and your barbecue areas or fire pits are clean. Your patio and patio furniture should also be neat and clean as well as all the exterior doors and windows. A flower pot or two would help decorate the backyard as well.

Inside the home cleaning is essential. Look up and down, be sure everything up high is dusted including the ceiling fans, planters, light fixtures and shelving. Baseboards should be clean and if they are impossible to get clean then a fresh coat of paint will do the trick. Be sure all the floors are freshly cleaned and the entire home is dust free including your personal property. Clear most of the items off of the kitchen counters to show open spaces. Leave only decorative items out on the counters and maybe leave out a dish of wrapped candy.

Window treatments should be open to let in the light so be sure the windows are clean. Make sure they are dust free as well. The light in the home will make it feel warm and cozy.

Your furniture should be arranged so the traffic will flow nicely and not feel like the home is crowded or appear small. People should be able to walk through the home without having to walk around objects.

Be sure your bathrooms are especially clean and fresh. The only odors in the home should be of a fresh clean candle, flowers or fresh baking. Smells from the bathroom or the kitchen need to be avoided. Be sure and not cook with a strong smell the night before the open house. Garlic, curry, bacon and fish should be avoided. Baking fresh cookies the morning of the open house and having them available will give the home a warm homey feeling and keep visitors in the home a little longer while they munch on the goodies. Also, be sure you have plenty of cold water for your guests.

Have a successful open house!

You want to begin to impress the potential Buyer from the “Outside – In”… in other words it starts with curb-appeal. Having your home attractive from the outside will not only entice the home Buyer, searching on the internet, to want to see more, you are also captivating those who are walking or driving by your property.

Below is a list of 10 projects that can and WILL serve to impress any potential home Buyer and their REALTOR®…

1. The Exterior Shell: A new coat of paint, or replacing the vinyl siding may be needed. Make sure you choose a neutral color that will appeal to the majority of home buyers. To add a little jazz, you could add a splash of color by re-painting your door.

2. Windows: By replacing your windows with the new energy efficient models you are remaining competitive with the “new home” market.

3. Landscape: Get out there and trim your hedges, maybe you need to hire an arborist for your trees. If you have a perennial garden, replace the old mulch with new mulch. Draw attention to your home at night by adding garden lights.

4. Flooring: Your home’s floors need to be stylish and modern. The growing trend for at least the main floor of a home is hardwood or laminate. If your unsure of what type of flooring to choose visit a few Show homes for ideas.

5. The Kitchen: Always an important room in the home…you can give your kitchen a “face lift” by re-finishing or replacing the cupboards, replace the counter tops and plumbing fixtures and last but certainly not the least…replacing your appliances.

6. The Bathroom: New toilet, bathtub/shower and cabinetry can be a huge investment. If you stick with the smaller projects like re-caulking, replacing tile grout, repainting and new plumbing fixtures this can make your bathroom look brand new. Just pay attention to the little things such as, chipped sinks and tubs, make sure the ceiling fan is cleaned, and replace old or outdated lighting fixtures.

7. Lighting & Interior Paint: A well lit home can accent the best features of each room, however, if there are swag lamps still hanging it’s time for an update. Painting a couple accent walls in your home will give the “punch” you need to stay competitive with any new model home. Canned lighting can be used to highlight any décor and design element (such as your new accent walls) that may have normally been missed.

8. Roof & Foundation: In order to receive top dollar for your home and to avoid a failed inspection report, now is the time to get these areas of your home in order. A financial lender wants to see that the roof has another 2-3 years left and that the foundation is sound.

9. Deep Clean: Nothing you have done to improve your home will matter if your home is not clean. This means a THOROUGH clean, a “get dirty” to “get clean” kind of scrub, and yes, that means pull out the stove & refrigerator and clean those window sills.

10. HOME STAGING: Home Staging is about “enhancing what’s already there”. We want to allow the Buyer to envision their new life in your home. Using this tool is a great cost-effective way to prepare your home for the market. Every home going on the market these days should consider the options of a home stager.