| We've all heard the old adage that restaurants don't | | | | In other words, instead of losing $20,000 on a price |
| sell steak, they sell the sizzle. That same adage can | | | | reduction, you've sold your home by "dropping" the |
| be true for selling houses. Here's what I mean. | | | | price by $2,500 through the addition of the deck. |
| Let's say you have a house on the market that just | | | | You can get a similar impact by adding things such as |
| doesn't seem to be garnering any offers. The first | | | | white picket fences to compliment a well-landscaped |
| thing you'll be tempted to do will be to drop the price, | | | | front yard, or crown molding and wainscoting, coupled |
| but before you do that, consider adding something | | | | with fresh paint, in the important rooms of your home. |
| interesting to the home instead. The results can put | | | | The "wow" factor comes into play here, too, so look |
| thousands of dollars into your pocket at closing! | | | | to make the improvement something that is really |
| For instance, your home is priced at $280,000, but it's | | | | exceptional--without breaking the bank, of course. |
| not moving. Rather than dropping the price to | | | | The bottom line here is that you will often make more |
| $260,000, think about adding a nice deck to the | | | | money by adding something special to your home |
| back--something that will really make buyers say | | | | rather than just reducing the price. Adding a little class |
| "wow" when they see it. A very nice deck can cost | | | | to your home is almost always worth more than what |
| as little as $2,500, but its impact might be enough to | | | | it cost to install. Remember, you're really selling the |
| prompt a buyer, who can see the happiness his family | | | | sizzle and not just the steak! |
| will have as they barbeque on that deck on warm | | | | Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. |
| summer nights, to put in a full-price offer on your home. | | | | |