Lesson 1 is that it doesn't hurt to be a mediagenic author; name recognition--as in NBC expert and TV host Corbett (and, by the way, author of
Find It, Fix It, Flip It! 2006)--counts, as does his life experience in flipping 30 pieces of property. Lesson 2 is that real estate and all its attendant information sells. Think Donald Trump, as one prime example. Lesson 3 is that it's all about business; leave emotions behind when marketing real estate. Much of the advice proffered here is in the professional know-how category. Such as declutter the rooms, inside and out (or, as Corbett says, save it/store it/sell it/check it); paint, repair, and otherwise make sure it's squeaky clean; hire a professional realtor (avoiding the FSBO lure); and never close on a Friday. Lots of tips around Ready, Set, Sold (RSS) sales successes, as well as data-packed sidebars (e.g., a list of 411 real estate Web sites), add an even higher value to Corbett's counsel.
Barbara JacobsCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Looking to sell? Help is right here!
Before you put your house or condo on the market, read Corbett's latest well-written book, Ready, Set, Sold
Don't be turned off by the cutesy title. This is a serious book about the techniques Corbett used to profit from selling 33 of his houses for top dollar.
In addition to being a TV actor and host of Extra's Mansions and Millionaires, Corbett knows how to maximize profits whether selling his personal residence or a house he bought to fix and flip In his first superb book, Find it, Fix it, Flip it,
Corbett shared his strategies for locating and profitably upgrading houses, often creating entirely new persona or lifestyles for the residences. In this new book the author concentrates on getting ready to sell the house you already own and maximizing its profit in good times or bad
The book explains how to transform an ordinary house into one that a buyer absolutely must have. The black and white before and after photos add to the realism. They give enough detail to show how inexpensive repairs and remodeling can greatly enhance the sales price
Corbett does not advise radical renovations before selling a house. Instead, he suggests modest-cost techniques, such as resurfacing kitchen cabinets rather than replacing them. Along the way, he provides practical advice, such as hiring a painting company rather than a one-man operation if you want the fix-up work to be completed in 30 days or less
A huge factor in the Corbett formula is, after the house has been painted and fixed up, to "stage" it. That means clean it thoroughly of personal items, such as removing photos and memorabilia. Then make the home look inviting and up-to-date, usually by removing furniture and sometimes bringing in rented furnishings to make it seem more livable and spacious
When it comes to hiring a real estate agent to market the house, Corbett has only one opinion -- hire the best agent in the vicinity. He says the current home marketplace is not hospitable to a "for sale by owner." To save a mere 3 percent (because there will usually be a buyer's agent expecting a 3 percent sales commission even if you sell by owner), the author says it's not worth the risk and delay of selling alone
Written from the perspective of an experienced home seller, this is one of the most practical "how to sell a home" books available. Throughout the book, Corbett offers inexpensive tips to make a house or condo up-to-date so it will command buyer and agent attention, as well as draw a top dollar sales offer.
On my scale of one to 10, this outstanding book rates a solid 10.
--The Miami Herald - Robert Bruss - Nationally Synidacted Real Estate Columunist
(added by author)Before you put your house/condo on the market, read Corbett's latest well-written book, Ready, Set, Sold!
On my scale of one to 10, this outstanding book rates a solid 10.
