Seller's Tips
Making Your Home Look Its Best
Marketing Your Home
An Offer!
The Closing
Pricing a home
If you're planning on selling a house, you'll have to decide what price you're going to ask for the home. This is one of the most important and difficult decisions you'll have to make. Buyers select by comparison shopping, so your home will have to have a fair market price in order for it to sell. I can help you determine the market value of your home while still obtaining the top-dollar price for your piece of property. Also, I can assist you in addressing items which will enhance the homes salability and price.
Some of the things to consider when choosing your home price are:
- What is the age & condition of your home?
- Does it need updating?
- What have similar homes in your area sold for?
- Have homes in your area been increasing or decreasing in value?
- Are there a lot of homes for sale in your area?
Benefits of Proper Pricing
Faster sale
When your home sells faster, you save carrying costs, mortgage payments and other ownership costs. A quicker sale creates less inconvenience for you. If you've moved before, you know the energy it takes to prepare for showings: keeping the home clean, making child care arrangements and altering your lifestyle. Proper pricing reduces these demands on you, by helping your home sell faster. At market value your home will gain exposure to more prospects who can afford the price. Sellers who list at a high price are looking for that one buyer who will pay it. Sellers often do not realize that they have discouraged many potential buyers who could have afforded the home. The final sales price is probably one that will be affordable by more purchasers. This is because sellers many times accept a much lower price at a much later date since that one buyer willing to pay the higher price never comes.
Increased salesperson response
When salespeople are excited about a home and its price, they make special efforts to contact all of their potential buyers. Knowing that it is priced properly for its market, they expect it to sell soon and encourage their prospects to act quickly. Their excitement is contagious!
Better response from advertising and sign calls
Ad calls and sign calls to Realtors turn into showings when price is not a deterrent. Most serious prospects are well educated about asking prices in the areas they are seeking. They will not waste their time on a home they consider overpriced.
Higher offers attracted
Buyers fear they might lose out on a good home when it is priced right. They are less likely to make "low ball offers." Better pricing attracts multiple offers, too!
Means more money to sellers
If a home is priced right, the excitement of the market produces higher sale prices. You net more both in terms of actual sale price and in less carrying costs.
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Making Your Home Look Its Best
When you're selling your home you'll want to put forth the very best product. Buyers initial impression in the first 30 seconds will establish their mood as they continue their viewing. positive They will be seeking confirmation of this initial impression positive or negative. The buzz word used today is home staging which my clients are provided a free initial consultation to help project the homes best features, minimize its faults and determine deferred maintenance items which would adversely affect the homes marketability and price.
Buyers aren't coming for just a quick look but for a careful inspection. Keep the exterior neat by painting the trim, clipping the hedges, mowing, edging, and weeding the lawn and you may even want to plant a few flowers.
Inside you'll want to lighten up the darker corners, perhaps add some fresh paint and put the clutter away to give the rooms an open feeling. Make sure there are no "stale" odors in the home. This can be especially important for remote areas such as a basement or attic. When the home is shown, you may want to consider baking some cookies or bring in some fragrant fresh flowers. This will add a cheery and pleasant scent to your home. These little things just may help you sell your home a bit more quickly.
Make a Good First Impression
In today's age of consumerism, every buyer is comparative shopping. Make a small investment in time, money and effort to give your home a solid advantage over competing properties. Pay attention to detail now because first impressions count with buyers. You only have one chance and it starts with curb appeal.
Create A Buying Mood
- Turn on lightsT
- Turn on air conditioner/heater
- Open the drapes
- Light the fireplace
- Keep lawns cut
- Trim hedges and shrubs
- Weed and edge gardens
- Clear driveway and clean up oil spills
- Clean out garage
- Touch up paint
- Make repairs where needed
- Clear halls and stairs of clutter
- Store surplus furniture
- Clear kitchen counter and stove top
- Clear closets of unnecessary clothing
- Remove empty boxes and containers
- Repair leaking taps and toilets
- Clean furnace and filters
- Tighten door knobs and latches
- Repair cracked plaster
- Touch up paint
- Clean and repair windows
- Repair seals around tubs and basins
- Replace defective light bulbs
- Oil squeaking doors
- Repair squeaking floor boards
- Clean and freshen bathrooms
- Clean fridge and stove (in and out)
- Clean around heating vents
- Clean washer and dryer
- Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds
- Clean porch and foyer
- Ensure door bell works
- Repair screen on door
- Fresh paint or varnish front door
- Repair door locks and key access
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Marketing Your Home
When selling your home, you must realize that it's not likely that the right buyer will simply walk through your door on their own. Generally, you have to bring your home to the buyer, and that means counting on your real estate professional to put forth a successful marketing campaign. As one of the top realtors, I have developed an unmatched comprehensive marketing plan which produces results. In today's market, it takes more than a sign, poorly designed flyers and an incomplete MLS entry to get a home successfully sold and at the right price. If you compare my plan and results your decision will be clear.
You'll want an agent who will make the best use of state-of-the-art techniques such as a front end MLS system, internet, professional photography, staging, and a winning back office team.
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An Offer!
When you have a home for sale, eventually a prospective buyer will "make an offer." As the seller, you basically have three options: you can accept the offer, reject the offer or give a counter offer. A counter offer usually will encourage a buyer to continue their negotiations. You may also receive multiple offers.
You may prefer to take slightly less for your property from someone who is willing to pay cash, versus someone who needs to sell their current home first. Contingencies, move-in dates, and financing are all things to consider when weighing an offer. If things seem a bit overwhelming, you can rely on my team, who can go over the various points with you, and help you choose the best offer and least risk.
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The Closing
Once you've accepted an offer on your property there's a number of details that still need to be finished. There will probably be an inspection of your home by a professional who will determine the condition and integrity of your property for the buyer. The buyer's mortgage company may chose to send out an appraiser who will assure the lender of your property's worth. The title company will warranty that there are no liens or existing encumbrances which would inhibit a transfer of title to the buyer.
Either you or the buyer may chose to be represented by an attorney. First time sellers and buyers often feel more comfortable to have the paper work reviewed prior to signing. Rest assured that you can always rely on me to make sure the entire home selling process proceeds smoothly and without “last moment surprises.
