Daunting! That is what most people think when considering selling their home. Without a doubt, it is work, but there are some tips to selling your home you can do to ease the workload and make the process more enjoyable. Consider the following list of tips that will help you stay organized and on track.
1. Call in the hero of home improvement!
Paint! It is seriously one of the easiest and inexpensive ways to update your dark or outdated rooms and change the entire feel and look of your home! A fresh coat of paint in a neutral color will brighten the canvas of your home and also allow for the potential buyer to be able to envision their own favorite colors adorning the walls. Soft grays and off whites are a great palette to choose from.
2. Make a good first impression!
Many people are so used to seeing their own lawn, plants, flowerbeds, etc. they hardly even notice what a potential buyer would. You don’t have to go crazy, but a little time and attention can go a very long way! Pull out the mower and trimmer and make it look like a manicured space. Freshen up the mulch, add some new flowers, and be sure your bushes are trimmed and shaped. That first impression is one that will have an effect on the entire rest of the property tour.
3. Think minimalist!
If you don’t need it, get rid of it! Or at least put it into storage. The less STUFF you have occupying space the large and more spacious the rooms will appear to a potential buyer. This may seem like a daunting thing to do, but storing all the non-essentials and freeing up the space to present large and spacious could be the difference between a sale and a non-sale! So sort, store, and sell whatever you don’t need to live day to day! Oh, and don’t think stuffing it under the bed or in the closet will suffice, buyers will open every cupboard and closet!
4. Never underestimate a real estate agent!
Selling your home is hard enough without attempting to navigate a world you know nothing about. Trust me, a good agent earns every single dollar of their commission. A knowledgable and hard-working agent will relieve you of the difficult and confusing tasks associated with selling your home and do all the heavy lifting for you!
One of the key ways an established and reliable agent will do is help you price your home in a profitable yet reasonable range. There are many different factors that go into pricing a home to sell and still get the most for the seller. Obviously choosing the RIGHT agent is key to this!
Don’t just hire him or her because they are your friend! Do your due diligence and vet their reputation, experience, and referrals. Hiring an agent who knows their market like they know their own family is a huge factor in you coming out of the process happy and satisfied.
Just some examples of the types of realtors to avoid is the one who simply asks you what your asking price is OR they are so focused on their own commission they overprice your home and it sits unsold. Find out how reliable they are at answering phone calls, emails, and texts and helping you stay informed and comfortable the entire duration you are working with them. Ask other professionals in the industry like mortgage loan officers and title companies how it is to work with the realtor you are considering. If you put the work in on the front end, you will be so glad you did and your dream of selling and buying a new home won’t turn into a nightmare!
5. Photos are KEY!
A potential buyer starts the journey of finding a property online, so the pictures you use to present your home for sale will either make of break the number of showings you will even get. If you are not a top-notch photographer and your agent isn’t either, HIRE a professional. Don’t step over the dollar to save the dime! It is worth the investment to get great photos and peak interest to get as many people viewing your listing as possible.
6. Video, video, video
The best Real Estate agents today are utilizing some form of video or slideshows, in addition to photos. Buyers like to take a tour before they decide to visit, which a video allows. Again, working with a professional here is important – either a Real Estate agent skilled in video tours or a professional who makes real estate videos.
7. The kitchen is key!
Most homeowners know that the kitchen is the hub of home and family life. Your kitchen is key when your home is being shown. If you are going to invest money in any kind of renovations to add value, focus on the kitchen! Try to focus on beautiful surfaces, updated appliances, and hardware, and again, keeping it as minimalist as possible! Keep counters clear of clutter and don’t be afraid to add a small lamp to a darker corner to brighten the space and make it feel cozier.
8. Market, market, market!
If you don’t make sure your real estate agent knows how to market a property, you are missing a key characteristic of a great agent. Real Estate agents who really have a solid command of their own advertising are also using social media to further enhance their own Real Estate business. If you don’t see them everywhere, you probably won’t see your property everywhere either.
Almost everyone owns a smartphone today. People are spending a ton of time on major social media channels including Facebook, Google+, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter. If they are looking for a home and you have an agent marketing in these channels you will most likely see an increase in showing activity.
9. Trust the process.
Most people are very anxious to get their home sold and can really amp up the stress levels! This does nothing to help the home sell faster or you enjoy the process. Be smart, hire a great agent, take the time to do things right, and manage your expectations and emotions. If you can go into the selling of your home with a plan and a reasonable emotional state, it can be a fun adventure as you seek to get your current home sold and find your own new place to buy!
10. Be curious.
Be curious, don’t hesitate to question the norm. Figure out ways to address problems with an out-of-the-box approach, watch what other homeowners are doing to sell their homes, and never take the first option or answer at face value. A questioning mind will always come to a better conclusion.
Follow these easy tips to selling your home and enjoy the ride!