It is time to sell your house but you have no idea where to start. Selling your home can be a daunting process. There are so many choices to be made and so little time to make them. How can you be sure that you are taking the correct steps to selling your home quickly and at a good price? In this article, we will discuss some house selling tips that are crucial to understand before beginning the home selling process.
10. The Right Pricing
The single most important aspect of getting your home sold fast and at the highest price is pricing it right when it originally hits the market. Many home sellers want to price their home high and “see what happens”. Your home will get the most attention, by far, within the first seven days on the market. If the property is overpriced, you lose out on all of that attention. If the home is priced aggressively at list, you run the opportunity to get multiple offers, driving up the price.
9. Organize the Closets
Every buyer wants storage and the more the better. Getting rid of half the stuff in the closets and organizing them is key to making them look more attractive and spacious. You can bet buyers will look in your closets, so make sure you keep everything neat and tidy.
8. Keep It Light
Maximize the amount of light in your home. Good light is the number one priority for buyers after location. Clean out the drapes and windows, change the lampshades, install new light bulbs. And don’t forget to trim the bushes to allow for maximum sunshine. Make your home brighter and more appealing, the buyers will love it.
7. Choose Your Agent
Hiring the wrong broker is a sure way to lose a sale. You need a knowledgeable and insightful broker. A good broker will be able to monitor the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) and keep up-to-date on what properties are selling in your neighborhood. Look for a broker who is tech-savvy and has all the tools needed to sell your house, as well as checking whether the broker chargers a lower commission rate or a higher commission rate. A broker who can do all of this is a guarantee that your home will sell.
6. Put the Pets Up
It might seem like a cuddly pet would be a good idea to attract potential buyers. However, this is not the case in most instances. Not everyone is a fan of pets, some have allergies or may be frightened by your pet. Buyers won’t be impressed to see a bowl of dog food, a kitty litter box, or leave with pet hair sticking to their clothes. This can give the impression that the house is not clean and tidy. Sending the pets to a pet hotel is a good option if you are hosting an open house or have a potential buyer stopping by for a showing.
5. Do Some Quick Fixes
It pays off to make quick fixes before you sell. Doing extensive makeovers is often unnecessary and can cost you a lot of money. If you start a major renovation project before your home goes on the market, such as a roof replacement, you won’t get any of your money back and won’t dramatically increase the value of your home. Do some quick fixes that will get you top dollar for your investment. Giving the walls a fresh coat of paint is a great cost effective investment. You can also clean the curtains or buy new, inexpensive curtains, clean the grout, replace door handles, and cabinet hardware.
4. Make Your Home Theirs
Depersonalizing your home is one of the most important steps in selling it. Potential buyers won’t be able to imagine living in your home if it has too much personal stuff. Putting about a third of your stuff in storage before showing your house is a good idea. This includes photos of family members, memorabilia and other personal items. Some sellers hire a home stager to maximize the full potential of the house. If you feel proficient enough you can do this yourself. Staging is simply the art of arranging furniture in a way that best displays the floor plan and maximizes the space.
3. The Kitchen is Key
You are not really selling your house; you’re selling the kitchen. That’s how important it really is. There are endless benefits to remodeling your kitchen. The best part? Most sellers get around 85% of their investment back. If your kitchen is old, it may cost you a few thousand dollars to install new countertops, However a buyer might want to drop the asking price by as much as $10,000 if they have to replace the countertops themselves. Painting and new cabinet hardware are the quickest and most affordable ways to update your kitchen. Buying just one fancy stainless steel appliance can make the whole kitchen look more modern and up to date. Buyers often assume that if you have one hi-end appliance then the rest are also hi-end.
2. Always Be Available to Show
You should always have your house ready to show – you never know when a buyer will walk in the door. It is important that you are available to buyers whenever they visit the house. Do not leave dishes in the sink. Keep the bathroom sparkling clean and the bathrooms sparkling. Also, make sure that there aren’t any dust bunnies in corners. Although it’s not the most convenient thing, it will help you sell your house.
1. There is Only One First Impression
Buyers have already judged your home before ever having set foot in it. That is just human nature. This is why the first impression is the only impression. You need people to feel safe, comfortable, and welcome as they enter your home. Investing in some affordable outdoor plants can spruce up the home’s exterior. This is a strategy with a 100 percent return on your investment in curb appeal. Make sure that the entry way is clean and appealing as this is the first thing buyers will see upon entering your home.
Welcome your potential buyer with some snacks or refreshments and get ready to sell your home!
