Planning to Sell Your House? Here's What to Keep in Mind
Are you planning to sell your abode? If so, you undoubtedly want to sell it for top dollar. We all do. But before you start making necessary repairs or mark a date on your calendar to hold an open house, you must put in some careful planning and forethought to make the selling process as smooth as possible.
Considering the home selling journey to be an easy one that does not require much preparation would be a big blunder likely to lead to disappointment. With some proper preparation, you can avoid some common pitfalls into which many home sellers fall.
Whatever your reason is for selling your home, there are a few essential things to keep in mind to ensure your home is ready to sell and you get the highest possible price for it. If you are unsure how to go about it, read on and follow these vital tips to ensure you receive solid offers from buyers and make your home sale a success.
Set a Reasonable Asking Price
You must think through your price strategy to set a reasonable rate on your home from the beginning. Your decision should be devoid of any emotions as they could prevent you from getting a realistic view of your home’s value. You do not want to overprice your home as it would stay on the market for extended periods and may even reduce your potential buyer pool significantly. Likewise, you do not want to set a price so low that it fetches less than its actual market value.
Research the local housing market on websites like Realtor.com. Ask your agent for a comparative market analysis to determine a fair listing price by looking at some recently sold homes in your neighborhood. Consider the location, age of the house, living area size, and features, and compare them to your home to get an idea about the prevailing rates.
If you want a more comprehensive analysis, you may consider getting a professional home appraisal to determine your home’s true worth.
Hire the Right Realtor
Selling a home is a complex process, and there is a lot that goes into it which you may not know. Hiring a real estate agent to sell your home will skyrocket your chances of closing a good deal and within a reasonable time frame than managing the home selling process entirely on your home. Accordingly, hiring a knowledgeable, experienced realtor is paramount. Realtors know the ins and outs of the marketplace. A good realtor will effectively market your home, set the right price, bring in potential buyers, make valuable suggestions that could bring in the maximum value for your home.
Real estate agents differ in their qualities, skill set, and capabilities. Therefore, you must interview 3-4 potential realtors to get the real deal. Choose an agent according to their experience in the particular neighborhood, industry connections, and social media expertise. Besides, they should present you a thoroughly laid out marketing explaining how they will go about the entire process of selling your home.
Last, it is equally important to assess a realtor’s personality and select the one you can trust and connect with on a personal level.
Staging is Worth the Cost
So you have decluttered your space, taken care of the cleanliness, and made necessary repairs and renovations. However, an often overlooked aspect of maximizing a home’s appeal and getting a quick sale is to stage it. Staging can make a world of difference when it comes to catching potential buyer’s eyes right away as they step foot inside your house.
While staging may not come cheap, it is usually worth the investment. According to many studies, it is a surefire way to enhance the likelihood of your home selling faster and for more dollars. It enables prospective buyers to envision themselves in your space, offering them a glimpse of how they can use the livable space to maximum effect without getting a complete makeover done.
You may consider staging your home by yourself by depersonalizing your space, getting rid of the bulky furniture, creating a bright ambiance, and scattering some artwork around. Likewise, you can hire a professional staging company or ask your agent to get the job done for you. Whatever you choose, your efforts will not be in vain.
Don’t Overlook the Curb Appeal
You may have spruced up the interiors by giving your house a deep clean and staging it, but the curb appeal of your home gives potential buyers the first impression of your home before they even step inside. The exterior of your home can set you apart from the competition and can make or break a deal.
While you do not have to do anything significant to improve your home’s curb appeal, it is important to pay attention to the little things that may detract potential homebuyers from a positive first impression. Trim down the trees and shrubs to maintain their shape and size, as well as to improve their appearance. Enhance your driveway and sidewalks by utilizing pressure washing services in Seattle to remove those unsightly oil stains.. Give those dull, outdated walls a fresh coat of paint, and plant some colors to give the space a bright and inviting look.
Fixing the Small Stuff Matters
In today’s marketplace, buyers look for homes requiring minimal work, where everyone is functional and in good working order. Calling in a handyman before you open your doors to prospective buyers can go a long way in paying significant dividends when selling your home. Take a walk around our house and check to see any broken appliances, cracked walls, running toilets, leaky faucets, or squeaky doors that require repair. Taking care of these will give the impression that your home is well maintained, and hence it will be more appealing to buyers.
Likewise, getting a pre-listing inspection can provide you with the peace of mind that every major component and system of your home is working optimally without any problems. If there are any defects you were unaware of, you can make repairs in advance and gain the trust of prospective buyers and their agents.
Selling your home is one of the biggest financial decisions you will ever make in your lifetime. Whether you have experience in selling homes previously or are selling your first, there are certain fundamentals to know before putting your home on the market for a sale.
Following these tips will serve as a good head start on preparing to put your home on the market and fetching maximum dollars!
