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Home Selling Tips That Many Sellers Overlook
Elsewhere on this website, we have created a road map to home selling that outlines the major steps involved. In this article, we will address some of the lesser-known tips and tricks of selling a home.
The tips that follow will help you sell your home more quickly, and for the best possible price. Yet at the same time, these things are often overlooked by home sellers.
- Early on in the home selling process, start to keep tabs on real estate activity in your area. This will help you in many ways, not the least of which is understanding what homes are selling for in the neighborhood. Attend open houses in the area, and start reading the real estate section of the local newspaper.
- Save yourself time and energy by hiring a real estate agent to help sell the home. You will probably have your hands full with other things -- preparing the home, getting ready to move, etc. Your real estate agent can handle most of the sales and admin-related tasks for you, in addition to bringing valuable insight into the picture.
- Detach your emotions when setting the price. Base your asking price on your agent's advice, comparable sales in the area, and upgrades you've made to the property. Buyers will only pay what the home is worth in the current market, not what it's worth to you.
- Put the word out. Your real estate agent will bring in potential buyers by listing the home in the MLS. But you can bring in some of your own by telling friends, coworkers and neighbors that you are selling the home. Many home sales have come from the "friend of a friend" network.
- Follow the home staging advice we have provided elsewhere on this website to make your home look its best for potential buyers. Time and time again, home staging has been proven to increase the likelihood of a quick sale, as well as increasing the sale price.
- Paint is your friend. Painting the rooms, doors, shutters, etc. is one of the best ways to enhance your home's appearance without spending a lot of money. If the home needs painting but you are short on time, hire a professional to help.
- Speaking of paint, be sure to neutralize your home's color scheme if necessary. Bold and unique colors might sit well with you, but they could mean extra work for a potential buyer. Make your home seem move-in-ready by using subtle colors that will appeal to the majority.
- Be prepared for negotiations with buyers, and have a plan for all possible scenarios. For example, what will you do if you get offers for less than the asking price? What about multiple offers? What if the home appraises for below the asking price? Go over these scenarios with your agent ahead of time.
- Pay close attention to contingencies within the purchase offer. These are some of the most important details, and thus require a close examination. Contingencies are negotiable, so if there's something in the contract that you can't live with, negotiate it until it's acceptable. Work closely with your real estate agent on this step.
- Keep in close contact with your agent during the period between contract and closing. Sure, you'll have many other things on your mind during this period, but you need to stay abreast of any changes that might happen with the buyers.
Questions About Selling Your Home?
If you have questions about any of these home selling tips, or if you would like us to help with the sale of your home, please contact us at your convenience. You may also like to review our Road Map for Sellers.
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