SELLERS
Selling your property can take a lot of work. We make selling easy! Use our resources to get an estimate of your property’s value and learn how to prepare it for sale.
Before Putting Your Home Up For Sale
If you're thinking about selling your house, you may be feeling overwhelmed by all there is to do. The good news is, making your home more appealing to prospective buyers doesn't have to be complicated. Taking care of a few quick items before listing your home for sale can make the sale process quicker and easier for you, your real estate agent, and the buyer. Here are five items to take care of before listing your home.
1. Consider a pre-sale home inspection.
An inspector will be able to give you a good indication of the trouble areas that will stand out to potential buyers, and you’ll be able to make repairs before open houses begin.
2. Organize and clean.
Pare down clutter and pack up your least-used items, such as large blenders and other kitchen tools, out-of-season clothes, toys, and seasonal items. Store items off-site or in boxes neatly arranged in the garage or basement. Clean the windows, carpets, walls, lighting fixtures, and baseboards to make the house shine.
3. Get replacement estimates.
Do you have big-ticket items that will need to be replaced soon? Find out how much it will cost to repair an older roof or replace worn carpeting, even if you don’t plan to do so. The figures will help buyers determine if they can afford the home, and they’ll be handy when negotiations begin.
4. Locate warranties.
Gather up the warranties, guarantees, and user manuals for the furnace, washer/dryer, dishwasher, and any other items that will remain with the house. It may seem like this task can be left until closing, but you don’t want lost paperwork or last-minute scrambling to cause the deal to fall through.
5. Spruce up the curb appeal.
Walk out to the front of your home, close your eyes, and pretend you’re a prospective buyer seeing the property for the first time. As you approach the front door, what is your impression of the property? Do the lawn and bushes look neatly manicured? Is the address clearly visible? What do you see framing the entrance, if anything? Is the walkway free of cracks and impediments?
How to Improve the Odds of an Offer
1. Price it right
Set a price at the lower end of your property’s realistic price range. Consider:
Comparable properties: A “comp” is what real estate professionals call home sales that can be reasonably used to help determine the price of your home. But just because you’re in the same neighborhood doesn’t mean that the houses will sell for the same amount. Your real estate professional will help you determine how to compare your home in terms of size, upkeep, and amenities.
Competition: How many other houses are for sale in your area right now? Are you competing against new homes or condos for sale in the area?
Contingencies: Do you have special needs that might turn away buyers? A common one is refusing to be flexible about a moving date.
Asking a lender: Since most buyers will need a mortgage, the home’s sale price should be in line with a lender’s estimate of its value.
Accuracy: Studies show homes priced more than 3 percent over the correct price take longer to sell.
2. Prepare for visitors
Get your house market-ready at least two weeks before you begin showing it. Make all your repairs, and then do a deep clean (or hire a cleaning service to help).
3. Consider an appraisal
For a few hundred dollars, a qualified appraiser can give you an estimate of your home’s value. This is useful for sellers going through a divorce or needing to divide the proceeds for other reasons. Be sure to ask for a market-value appraisal, and find someone who understands the area and type of home you have. Your agent should be able to offer recommendations.
4. Be flexible about showings.
Spur-of-the-moment showings are disruptive, and making sure your home is constantly ready to show can be exhausting. But the more amenable you can be, the sooner you’ll find a buyer.
5. Anticipate the offers
Decide in advance the price range and terms that are acceptable. Be clear with yourself and your agent about what kind of offers you’re comfortable with. It’s critical to know what price you’ll accept before entering negotiations with a potential buyer.
6. Don’t refuse to drop the price
If your home has been on the market for more than 30 days without an offer, be prepared to at least consider lowering your asking price.