The stars behind the hit show Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles know what it takes to sell a house in a tough real estate market. SheKnows got some insider tips from the star realtors on ways to move your property fast.
Keep reading to find out how to get your property sold.
Josh Altman, Josh Flagg and Madison Hildebrand are more than just pretty faces stirring up drama in the reality series Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles — they’re also top agents in the super-competitive L.A. real estate market. We asked each of them to share their tips for getting a property sold.
Find the right realtor
Sometimes the process of putting your home on the market can seem daunting. From paper work to the promise of strangers walking through personal quarters, listing a home can make any would-be seller squeamish. That’s why it’s imperative you find the right representation. “Your realtor needs to understand the needs of your home, family and the changes you are going through,” says Altman. He says make sure to interview more than one prospective agent.
De-clutter! De-clutter! De-clutter!
De-clutter your home before you start to show it to potential buyers. “Keeping things clean and simple allows buyers to visualize the space,” says Hildebrand. “Remove all excess kid toys, pet supplies, clothing and personal items,” says Altman.
Flagg recommends mimicking everything you see in a fine hotel room. “Many people leave stacks of paper, printers and laundry laying around the house. What they often don’t realize is that potential buyers sometimes dwell on the little things like that instead of the house.”
Freshen it up
Take the time to freshen up your home before listing it. “Spend the money you need to fix and upgrade minor details of the home before showing it to buyers and realtors,” says Altman. “Up to $10,000 is a fair amount to put in to get more dividends out of it later — like exterior paint, lighting in the rooms and fixing rotting wood or pipes.”
Hildebrand and Flagg suggest putting a fresh coat of paint on the walls. “It’s an easy and cost-effective way of making a home feel fresh and clean,” says Hildebrand. He always recommends using a neutral color. Flagg also suggests making sure the home smells good by using fragrant candles or diffusers. “Steer away from vanilla, or any food scent. Many times a buyer’s senses will be overwhelmed by an unfamiliar smell, or a smell that isn’t pleasant,” he warns.
Curb appeal
Ensure your home makes a great first impression. “The outside of a home is the first impression for a home buyer. This is where I would suggest spending your budget for improvements,” says Hildebrand. Flagg says landscaping is often a deal-breaker for potential buyers. “Many times poorly maintained landscaping creates the illusion that the house might be too much work for them. Trim the grass right before you show the house, and make sure all of your plants are as freshly pruned as possible.”
Final tip: Take all offers seriously
Now that you’ve got the house looking fabulous it’s time to get down to business. Altman recommends responding to all offers no matter the amount. “Never take any amount personally, you never know what the buyer’s final amount really is. It’s business and should be treated that way.”
Want to see more of Million Dollar Listing’s star agents in action? Tune into Bravo Wednesday nights at 9pm ET/PT.
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