Often times we believe the depth of our customer does not extend beyond that of the business they do with us.

In fact, it goes way beyond that. People love to talk about themselves, and if you take the time to talk to your customers about non-business topics, you will find that, more often than not, they are more than happy to engage you in conversation.

By getting to know your customers, you can find a whole lot of valuable information from them. Such as where they live, do they have a family, what their hobbies are, do they have pets, etc.

By finding out this type of information, you can determine what their needs are, than proceed to tell them about the products you have, that you believe would be ideal for their needs.

Another plus when it comes to getting to know your customers, is that every time you speak with one another, you are strengthening the business relationship you already have with them.

When I talk about getting to know your customer, I don’t mean that you have to extend an invitation to them to join you at Thanksgiving dinner.

All you have to do is take a little extra time to get to know their names and what their needs are.

For instance, if you have a new customer whose name is Mike, and building train sets is his hobby. The next time you see him, you can address him by his name, and ask about how the trains are coming along.

One, he will be thrilled that you remembered his name, and two, since building train sets is his hobby, he will be more than happy to tell you all about it.

These types of techniques kick open the door to more sales. The better a person gets to know you, the better they will begin to trust you, and the more likely they will be to do business with you.

People prefer to do business with people they know and trust, it gives them a comfort level. So get to know your customer and work on earning their trust. They will not only do business with you.  They will most likely refer their friends and family to you as well. Good luck.

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The experts say that it is no longer a seller’s market. This doesn’t mean that it will be hard to sell, but you might need to make the extra effort to get your house to move faster. By completing a few easy steps, you should be able to get your house sold in the optimal amount of time.

1. Pick a realistic price. Buyers are learning to be more cautious when it comes to investing their money in a new home. With prices leveling off a bit, they want to know that they are making a wise choice. Be practical and choose a price that reflects the current market, not the market six months ago.

Tip: It is recommended that you list your price at or below the competitive market price. (e.g. If your neighbors are asking $400,000, list your home at $395,000 to generate interest.)

2. Go the extra mile. You can attract more buyers by providing an incentive. Gone are the days when people are willing to pay more for less. Buyers are going to be more cautious and sensible about their purchase. You can make them feel like they are getting a good deal.

Tip: You can offer to pay the buyer’s closing costs as a perk of the sale. Or you can be flexible with the length of escrow and willing to fix items in the home inspection report.

3. Spruce up the place. Spending a little money to improve the appearance of your house can work magic when it comes to attracting a buyer.

Tip: Fix that wobbly doorknob, plant a new flowerbed, or put on a fresh coat of paint to give your house a fresh and new appearance.

4. Clean, clean, clean. Make sure your house is always clean and pleasing to the buyer. Remember that they are most likely going to be looking in closets, opening the oven door and peeking in showers. You want to show your house in the best possible light.

Tip: Polish the hardwood floors, clean the tile grout, scrub walls, dust high shelves to provide your house with a sparkly appearance.

These are not foolproof methods for a quick sale, but they can give you a leg up on the competition. It’s important to show that you are keeping the buyer in mind and that you want to provide a fair sale. That can go far in today’s real estate market.

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