5 Things You Can Learn About Selling a House from Nebraska Furniture Mart

It never ceases to amaze me how lazy (oblivious? stubborn?) sellers can be. Yes, many show nicely, but the majority of homes for sale are just a mess. I see things like broken house numbers, leaves, overgrown lawns, dirt, clutter, bad, bold paint colors, and the list goes on. It got me thinking about advice I give sellers.

I always say, “Have your house look like a furniture showroom.” I decided to put together a list of five things sellers can learn from Nebraska Furniture Mart.

1. Keep it Clean: This seems obvious, but when people get busy with their lives they don’t think buyers will notice that they haven’t mopped the floors. Yes, they may not consciously think to themselves, “Hey, this seller didn’t mop!”, but they will think the home looks tired and dingy and will most likely pass on it.
2. Hire a Decorator: Do you think that Nebraska Furniture Mart just hires Joe Schmoe minimum wage guy to put together those room settings? No, they hire a professional. In order to highlight the best aspects of your home, consult a realtor, home-stager or decorator to help you arrange and stage your home.
3. Keep Regular Hours: I don’t expect you to be open all day every day, but be ready every day, and never turn down a showing. If you want to sell your house, then you have to let those buyers in the door. The number one most frustrating thing to me is to have a seller turn down a showing because of something trivial.
4. Offer Free Delivery: Well, not exactly free delivery, but if you have qualified buyers who are ready to sign a contract on your home, be prepared to throw something in to sweeten the deal. Common options include appliances, closing costs, or a one-year home warranty plan.
5. Interview Your Sales Staff: The process of hiring a realtor should be akin to a job interview. When hiring an employee (or a realtor), be sure they are prepared, qualified, and that they properly represent your home’s brand.