These six tips will lead to a successful home sale.
Here are the six tips you need to remember if you want to sell your home quickly and for top dollar:
1. Neutralize, depersonalize, and declutter. Strong statements of wallpaper and paint may appeal to a select group of people, but most will only see it as additional work after they buy the home. Paint, wallpaper, and carpet normally match the furniture that’s already there. If any of that has to change, stick with neutral colors so buyers can envision their furniture in the home. Buyers must see the house as their new home, and too many personal family items, pictures, trophies, posters, etc., will hinder that process. A few personal items are fine, but if you find yourself looking at the things in each room instead of the room itself, it’s time to bring it down to its bare essentials.
When it comes to decluttering, take everything off of the floor that doesn’t need to be there. More floor space makes your home seem larger. The same goes for countertops; clutter is worse than dirt. Too much stuff makes the house confusing, and the buyer’s mind gets cluttered. Start packing—you’re moving anyway.
2. Attack odors. People buy homes with all of their senses. You may not be able to smell your pet(s), but trust me when I say that others can. Strong food odors are also a turnoff. Use scented candles or glade plug-ins to address these issues.
“Everyone needs a good real estate broker, and I’d be happy to be your resource.”
3. Invest in quality photos. The majority of homebuyers start the home-buying process online, especially in today’s environment. Making your listing look as great as possible is your No. 1 goal. You’ll want professional-grade photos of the entire home, including any standout details or features.
4. Clear your schedule. Flexibility can really help you when selling your home, particularly when it comes to showings. If possible, try not to turn down any tour requests. If you must limit your showing hours for some reason, try to do so as little as possible. After all, you can’t sell what buyers can’t see.
5. Price the home right. The market might be hot right now, but don’t expect to sell your home for $100,000 over what you paid for it just yet. Rely on your broker, sold comparables, and hard data when setting your home’s price, and make sure it aligns with other comparables in the market. An overpriced property will only take longer to sell, and buyers will wonder what’s wrong with it the longer it sits on the market.
6. Ask me for help. My team and I have helped hundreds of home sellers obtain top dollar for their properties. Everyone needs a good real estate broker, and I’d be happy to be your resource.
As always, if you have questions about this or any real estate topic or are thinking of buying a home soon, don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I’m happy to help.
