Selling a house can be a long, drawn out and stressful process that involves making improvements to make the house more sellable, finding an agent, and dealing with the wait of going through closing. It can feel like your home will never sell. Here is some advice that has been collected to hopefully make the process go a little smoother.
As a seller, before showing your home to anyone, be sure to have it professionally cleaned. Cleaning the home yourself is an option, but you want to put your best foot forward so that any prospective buyer can imagine his or her family in the home. A professional cleaner will give your house a deep cleaning, without damaging anything. This will let you focus on other aspects of the sale.
Clearing your schedule for a showing will increase the value of that time spent and make a better impression on potential buyers. Turn your phone off, keep the children quiet and avoid any other possible interruptions of the showing. You do not want anything distracting a prospective buyer from inspecting your home and imagining themselves living there.
Look to your neighbors when considering what upgrades to make in your home prior to sale. If your neighbors all have stainless steel appliances, then buyers will expect that same amenity in your home. If you put in an upgrade that none of the homes in your area have, don’t expect to get that money back.
Clear off your counters. Remove everything from your kitchen and bathroom countertops. A prospective buyer needs to have a good idea of the available counter space, and this is impossible when it’s full of clutter. Also, make sure that the counters are sparkling. If you have tile countertops, clean the grouting, or replace it completely if it’s stained or discolored.
When considering curb appeal, remember that the condition of your siding can count a lot. Replace any worn or damaged boards and maybe consider a coat of paint. This gives buyers the right first impression – that the house has been cared for. The time you spend doing this can equal a faster sale and additional dollars at closing.
When choosing a real estate agent, look around your neighborhood at the “for sale” signs. See which agents or companies have the biggest presence and which ones switch from “for sale” to “sold,” the fastest. The best predictor of an agent’s ability to sell your home, is in the ability to sell other homes just like yours.
Including perks in your offer can sometimes help a home to sell faster. Offer to include the blinds or a new washer and dryer. Show a willingness to pay some closing costs or throw in a home warranty. Such perks can be appealing to a buyer and will make you stand out against the competition.
Upgrade your outdoor living space to attract buyers. Consider adding a deck or fixing up an outdated patio. Add greenery or a few shade trees. Outdoor living is becoming more and more popular in today’s lifestyle. Buyers are looking for it. Top dollars can be made on a great outdoor space.
If you are showing your home at night, turn on all of the lights. It appeals to buyers when your home seems welcoming. You should turn on all lights, indoor and outdoor. Turning on the lights can add color to your home. It can also give a warming effect. With all of the lights on, the buyers will be able to see all of your house easily.
When showing your home, be sure to get rid of all insects that should not be in the home. You should not have flies, roaches, or spiders. Bugs can be a huge turn off for most potential buyers. Many home improvement stores carry items that will eliminate the bugs that you have. You could also contact an exterminator if you don’t want to do it your self.
Be sure to take a good look at the front yard of your home when you are selling it. This is very important because this is the first thing that your potential buyer will see and this is usually what gives them their first impression. So make sure it looks neat and tidy.
When you decide to sell your house, you need to disconnect from it emotionally. That is because your emotional attachment will skew your perception of the whole selling process. You are not selling the way you live; you are merely selling the building in which you are living. When you approach this objectively, you will be able to sell your house efficiently.
When you are preparing your house for sale, make it look as generic as possible. That means removing family photos and any unusual, personal items from display. The purpose is to stage your house so that a potential buyer can feel like he belongs there. Your personal items can distract the buyer from that feeling.
When listing your house, make sure your cabinets and closets are clutter free. Potential buyers will open every cabinet and look in every closet. If they see clutter, they often associate it with a house that has not been taken care of. This can quickly turn a buyer off, even if your house is in tip top shape.
If you don’t exhibit your home and make minor cosmetic repairs, it can be difficult to sell a home. If you do not work to advertise your home in a way that your buyers will find interest, selling a home will be nearly impossible. Remember to put yourself in your buyer’s shoes.
If you have a roof that leaks, you should fix it before you put your house up for sale. Roof damage must be disclosed in the real estate contract. If you do not fix the damage, and it is disclosed in the contract, the buyer may insist that you replace the entire roof, which will end up costing you a lot more.
Don’t let yourself get overwhelmed by selling a house. If you research the process and develop a plan, you should be ready for whatever comes your way. Take the tips that apply to you and start getting prepared to make your home more sellable. Just stay positive, and your home will sell in no time.
