SELLERS TIPS

Curb Appeal

First impressions are crucial, and the first area of your home a potential buyer will see is the outside of your home. Keep the grass cut and the landscaping neat. Paint or wash the exterior. Wash windows, inside and out, and check or repair the roof, chimney and gutters.

Clean Up the Interior

First item on this checklist: Remove the clutter! You may want to paint the walls an off-white or neutral color, as it makes the rooms look brighter and spacious. Also, fix any holes in the walls or ceiling. Clean your carpets and wash all tiles and wood floors. Make sure all plumbing fixtures work properly- NO LEAKS!

The Advice of a Professional

No one knows your local market better than a professional real estate advisor. Having an agent that you feel comfortable with and is looking out for your best interest is one of the smartest moves you can make when you are selling a home.

The Nose Knows

An offensive odor can unintentionally turn a buyer off, so pay attention to cigarette and pet odors. The best way to rid your home of strong odors is to buy an air filter. Either a HEPA or ionic filter will get the job done. Place scented potpourri around the house, or on the day of a showing, bake some cookies or cinnamon rolls for a great aroma.

Get Your Home Inspected

Having your home inspected by a licensed home inspector allows you to make necessary repairs before listing your home. An inspection may help you to price your home realistically, and alert you of any immediate safety issues, like radon or mold. Providing a copy of the inspection report to potential buyers may relieve their concerns, and even waive the inspection contingency.

Set a Fair Price

Have your agent prepare a current market analysis (CMA) showing recent selling prices of homes in your neighborhood comparable to your own. Then consider the following factors in determining the asking price of your home: location, your home’s special features, such as central air or pool, local schools, and economic conditions in the area.

Selling in the Right Season

The longer your house sits on the market, the less likely you are to get the asking price. Talk to a professional to find out when is the best time to put your house on the market. Avoid the slow periods by discussing this with a neighborhood expert, who can tell you when is the best time to get your house sold.

Marketing Your Home

Whether you are marketing online or offline methods to market your home, there are some musts. Write a home description of your home that is thorough, yet short, simple and to the point. A picture is worth a thousand words, so showcase your home with lots of photos that display all the areas and rooms of your home, not your possessions. Use lawn signs that point buyers to a website built specifically to market your house.

Stage Your Home

While agents are experts in the field of selling and closing, many are not design savvy. It’s just not always easy to get a home into selling condition in a timely manner without some sort of experienced assistance. Professional home stagers are practiced in the art of preparing a home for resale. They work with the “flow” of a home, eliminate clutter, edit and arrange furniture, and even assist in enhancing curbside appeal. With the aid of a professional home stager, your house can make a notable first impression on potential buyers.

Don’t Linger Around During Showings

Leave the house when Agents are showing your home to prospective buyers or during an open house. This allows buyers to truly shop your house without fear of offending you. It also protects you from hearing how a stranger hates your carpet or drapes. Excessive hovering by an owner scares potential buyers away.