Selling your house can be a daunting task especially if you are doing it for the first time. With the right mindset and preparation, you can make it through the process smoothly and profitably. Whether you’re a first-time seller or seasoned pro, it’s essential to consider the following five key factors to ensure that you get the best price for your home and sell it quickly.
- Price: Setting the right price can make or break the sale of your home. It’s essential to consult with a real estate agent who can provide you with a Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) which will give you an understanding of what similar homes are selling for in your area. Even the best marketing and sales strategies cannot compensate for a house higher than consumers are willing to pay, so avoid overpricing your home. This can lead to it ultimately selling for less than you had hoped.
- Marketing: It’s obvious you need to get the word out to potential buyers that your home is on the market but how? In today’s digital age, online marketing is crucial when it comes to selling your home. Make sure your real estate agent is using professional photography, video tours, and the listing is posted to the MLS and various platforms like Zillow and Realtor.com. The use of social media will ensure that an even wider audience is reached. Hosting an open house is a tried and true way to get buyers face to face with your home so don’t miss that step either.
- Staging: Once a potential buyer visits either during a showing or open house, staging the house property will aid potential buyers to picture themselves moving in and enjoying the space as homeowners. Staging is the process of preparing your home for showings by decluttering, rearranging and styling the rooms to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. This helps buyers develop an emotional connection to the space and “fall in love” with the house which is precisely what you want. Staging often motivates buyers to put in more offers, for more money, and even to overlook a few defects with the property because they simply MUST have it.
- Curb Appeal: The first impression is everything, and when it comes to selling your house, the exterior is what potential buyers will see first. Make sure that your house looks neat and tidy by keeping the lawn trimmed, grooming trees, pressure washing the driveway and washing the windows. Get one step ahead of deal-killers that can scare away buyers after a house inspection by curing minor property defects beforehand. Making minor repairs can go a long way in terms of reassuring buyers that they are making a good investment. Consider giving your house a fresh coat of paint and fixing leaky faucets, re-caulking windows and replacing broken tiles.
- Negotiations and Closing: Once you have a buyer, it’s important to have a good grasp of how the negotiation and closing process works. This includes understanding the paperwork, the closing costs and the closing date. It’s essential to work with an experienced real estate agent who can guide you through the process and ensure that everything runs smoothly.
The major takeaways to consider when selling your house is that it is a complex process that requires a lot of attention to detail but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming nor negative experience. The key to ensuring that all the moving parts go off without a hitch is having a real estate agent that can help you navigate the complexities and make it a lot smoother. By considering these five factors you can increase your chances of selling your home quickly and for the best price.