The Inside Scoop On Getting Your Home Sold

May 26, 2016

Are you thinking of selling your home? Here are 15 tried and true tips will make your home sale easier and may even lead to a better selling price.

1. Curb Appeal. Your home only has six seconds to make a first impression make it count! And the very first thing buyers are going to notice when they arrive at your home is the landscaping. You don’t need to spend a small fortune to do it- you can install a water feature or even hire a landscaper.  Simply tidy up add some color to the flowerbeds, and make sure the trees and hedges are trimmed.

2. Clear the Clutter. The easiest way to make your home appear larger is to get rid of the clutter. While you may love your collectibles, or priceless antiques, having them on display may make your home feel a lot small then it is. If the task of sorting through your collectibles is daunting – put it off until later. Have someone pack them up for you. Just make sure you don’t stack them too high in the closets.  It’s better to take the items to a storage unit. Or store them neatly if there is space in the garage.

3. Freshen up your interior with new paint. Dark colors make the interior space seem smaller. Consult with your Realtor or an interior designer to help you select a neutral color that will make your space pop. Keep in mind selling your home is not about your personal taste, but keeping things simple enough to appeal to the masses.   

4. Hire a great Realtor. But, make sure you do your homework. Watch out for agents who intentionally misrepresent the market value of your home just to get your business.   If one agent comes up with a market analysis on your home that is far higher than the rest of the experts in the area, this is an immediate red flag. An overpriced home can sit on the market for a long time and end up selling for much less than a market priced property and cause you a great deal of pain and aggravation. Consult with an expert who knows the market conditions in your neighborhood and knows how to price your home for a quick sale.

5.  Don’t forget the For Sale Sign. Yes, internet marketing is extremely important but don’t forget about the basics. Chances are there is someone in your neighborhood that has been waiting for a home just like yours to go on the market.  

6. Your photos must be exceptional.  The photos your agent puts online can make or break your sale. Professional photos are a must. Makes sure your Realtor hires the best home photographer in the area to highlight the best features of your home.

7. Don’t forget Video Tours. Many buyers want to preview the place online before they decide to make the trip to see your home. Your Realtor should be able to point you in the direction of a great videographer to create a tour of your home for all of the online buyers and their Realtors. Or better yet if you can use drone videography even better.

8. Pay Attention to Online Marketing. Make sure online marketing is a big component of your marketing plan. The best agents use a variety of online channels to target buyers in different market areas and to drive interest and highlight the best features of your property. Make sure your agent is up with the times and can give your property the online exposure it deserves.

9.  Don’t underestimate the power of good lighting. The brighter and more cheerful your home appears the more appealing it is for buyers. Open the drapes, add some better lighting if your home is dim. Even buying brighter bulbs can make the difference. And always turn on all the lights in the house right before a showing. These are small, inexpensive changes that can make a huge impact.

10. Take Care of Repairs. Listen to your Realtor when she/he tells your need to fix a few things. They are the experts and can anticipate what the buyers are going to say even before the first showing. Things like, faulty wiring, a hole in the fence, a stain on ceiling or a faulty toilet may lead your buyers to offer a reduced price, or renegotiate price after inspections or even back out of a deal.  Be prepared to fix some things before the home inspections.

11. Hire a professional cleaner. Here’s one place where spending a couple hundred dollars can save you thousands. Get your carpets professionally cleaned and have a cleaning service scrub your kitchen and baths until they are spotless. Again first impressions count and you want your buyers to think that your home is squeaky clean.

12. Eliminate odors. The nose knows if your home is desirable. The problem is sometimes we get so used to the odors in our homes that we don’t even notice them. Ask an outsider like your Realtor to check out the situation and make sure there are no odors around that may turn off buyers.

13.  Update your kitchen. Most agents will tell you it’s the most important room in the house. If the counters are old, replace them. If your kitchen appliances are worn and dated, replace them.  It doesn’t need to be with the top of the line brand appliance, but it does need to be new and on trend. If not buyers may be tempted to move on to the next house or offer a much lower price. 

14. Get organized. Buyers are nosy, and they will open every closet and cabinet and pantry door. Make these places are organized and clutter free so that they buyers believe there is enough room to store their possessions.

15. Take your pets with you or hire a pet sitter for showings. Not everyone is a pet lover.  And if your pets are gone during showings, it will be easier for them to imagine a pet free home.

 If you are thinking of selling your home, give us a call 619.980-2738 or 619.851.4084 or better yet just click on this link and we will be in touch!

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