If you’re thinking about selling your home, but are unsure of where to start, this guide may be of some use. Perhaps the time is right, and you’ve decided that you and your family need to sell your home and move into a bigger place. Alternatively, perhaps you feel like downsizing, and want to sell because your current home has too much room. Regardless of the reason, it may be daunting to take on the task of selling a home. Where do you start? How do you find all of the correct resources? These seven ideas can help sort your mind and get you started on the right path to a successful sale.
Some of your potential buyers may live out of the area or across the country, and can’t always plan time to walk through the house. Bring the best features of your house to them with a virtual video. With a video camera, you can film a walkthrough of your home and neighborhood for all to see.
Each individual home contributes to the neighborhood’s overall value, so let your neighbors become a part of the sales process. Invite them to an open house showing, and encourage them to advertise the sale among their friends and coworkers.
Sometimes, something as simple as a refrigerator or gravel can seal the deal. Buyers may love your house but want one or two things changed to solidify the purchase. Perhaps a buyer will send an enticing offer that also asks for you to leave your high-end washer and dryer behind. Consider the value of the offer placed; it may be better than other offers you receive. It might be worth it to let the buyers have an appliance or a piece of furniture if you’re willing to leave it behind.
Appearance is a big deal. Usually, there is no such thing as second impressions. You want your visitors and potential clients to fall in love with your home the second they see it. A professional home stager can help set up your house with neutral and modern furniture in a pleasant way that will entice the buyer to imagine themselves living there.
One of the first steps a seller’s agent will take in order to help you sell your home is knowing what other homes in the neighborhood are selling for. Your agent can pull comparables to help determine the price of your home. You don’t want your price to be higher than others in the area, or else buyers will simply choose another home. You don’t want your price to be too low either, as it can not only trick you out of a profit, but it can devalue the entire neighborhood as well.
An old trick of the trade is to set your listing price as 20-30% lower than what it’s actually worth. That way, you will receive a flood of offers (even when the market is terrible) that will attempt to outbid each other. Buyers will end up bidding the original cost of your home, so that you aren’t losing any money.
Most agents will agree that the kitchen is the most important room of the house. If you can sell the kitchen, you can sell the rest of the home, too. If you’re going to invest your money in repairs and remodeling projects before putting your house up for sale, the kitchen would be the best place to put that money. If your kitchen is out of date and in need of repair, buyers’ offers will be low and unsatisfactory. Invest in new countertops, a new sink, new lighting, or even new cabinets, and you will receive offers that are well matched to your price. Sellers usually receive most of the money back that they spent investing in their kitchens.
After employing these tips, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a smart seller. Beat the market and gain multiple buyers by being aware of what’s selling around you. Take on remodeling projects to increase your home’s value, and soon the offers will come flooding in.
