Making Better Real Estate Decisions

As you approach the date when your house will officially hit the market, you and your real estate agent will likely be in constant communication as you go through the various tasks that need to be completed. Although much of today's marketing is done online, your agent may create feature sheets for your listing. This page, often printed on two sides, gives people a quick overview of your home. It can be distributed in mailboxes, handed out at community events, and made available in a box attached to your "For Sale" sign. Make sure that you have some input on the creation of this document; in particular, ensure that it includes these elements.

Floor Plan

Feature sheets typically include a few photos of the inside and outside of the house, as well as other relevant details such as its price and square footage. Ask your agent to also include the home's floor plan. This simple diagram is a valuable resource for people who wish to evaluate whether the home might suit their needs. The diagram doesn't need to include furniture or other objects — a simple overview of the orientation of the rooms and their square footage are all this document needs to be effective.

Bulleted List Of Highlights

Many of today's home buyers are short on time and want to be able to decipher the information contained in a feature sheet quickly. Instead of writing a couple paragraphs that highlight the features of the home, your agent can put this information together in a concise manner in a bulleted list. This way, prospective buyers can see the home's highlights in a matter of seconds. For example, part of a bulleted list could look like the following:

• 2,600 square feet
• Finished basement
• Saltwater swimming pool
• Infrared sauna
• Two-car, heated garage
• Soundproof home theater room

Relevant Neighborhood Highlights

While further details can always be included in your online listing, it's helpful if the feature sheet includes some relevant highlights about the surrounding area. This information, too, can be presented in a bulleted list if space allows. This list can include the proximity of the nearest schools, shopping centers, public transportation stops, and community features such as the library, youth sports complex, and other such venues. The availability of these entries provides more information about the neighborhood and will hopefully compel interested buyers to visit the home's online listing to learn more.