At the end of 2024, I got a call from the owner of 2008 Simond, Unit D, but I couldn’t really chat, even though they were anxious about selling their property. At that time, they were under agency with another brokerage, which means I was ethically bound to not do business with them. As a REALTOR®, I follow a strict code of ethics, and one of the big ones is to not interact professionally with someone else’s client. As much as I wanted the business, my reputation comes first.

Fast forward to January 1, 2025 and that agency agreement had expired. The wait paid off! The sellers called me back, and the first thing we discussed was how I would be different in marketing and selling their property. They knew I had a solid knowledge of the area, their particular condo sub-association, and how to sell Mueller. The sellers were under a very tight timeline, needing to close before the end of April. I understood the assignment. 

Now it was time to get to work!

The home was beautiful - spacious with high ceilings and big windows; however, the interior paint was what we in the business call “a personal preference”. We all have our personal style, but when it comes to selling your home, you want your color scheme and design to be neutral, therefore enticing to as broad of a range of people as possible. The sellers were easily convinced that a fresh, neutral paint would help it sell quickly. 

Then, to bolster our hope of a quick sale, I had the property professionally staged. Staged homes just feel more, well, like a home! It’s easier for a potential buyer to see how furniture could be arranged, or where a home office could go, or how the primary bedroom could best be organized. 

What do you think about the difference?!

We listed with a very reasonable sales price and held two open houses the first weekend. With new paint and fresh staging, the home was under contract in 8 days. The sellers were over the moon!

Moral of the story? My sellers trusted and heeded the advice of their seasoned Realtor and the process ended up being a relatively stressless one. Of course, every transaction is unique and there are circumstantial factors at play in every case, but there are some safe bets - like neutral paint and professional staging - that deliver results more often than not. 

In the case of 2008 Simond Ave. #D, trusting the safe bets and playing by the rules yielded incredible results. Jackpot!

If you’re looking for results the next time you’re buying or selling your home, I hope you’ll trust me and my team to deliver as well.