Home Selling Tips
Selling real estate is competitive and as with any competition you want to give yourself all of the advantages.
20 Tips from Real Estate Professionals on how to sell your property
You Have to Compete!
"Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning a Lion wakes up. It knows it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it will starve to death. It doesn't matter whether you are a Lion or a Gazelle... when the sun comes up, you'd better be running."
Selling property requires strategic planning. Begin by crafting a comprehensive plan and setting clear objectives. Understanding seasonal market dynamics is crucial, as each period demands unique selling approaches. Aiming for maximum profit and a swift sale necessitates a strategy to give your property the competitive edge. We’ve compiled lots of expert tips to help you achieve your goals and have a stress-free sale.
20 Professional Tips on How To Sell a Property
Price
This is the most important fact to consider when selling a property. You have to be realistic with yourself and price it properly. You can't think about what "you deserve" but rather what your property is worth in the marketplace. We have provided links to appraisers and local real estate professionals in your area who will be able to give you an unbiased value of your property. Don't make the mistake of pricing your property too high as it can have a negative impact on your home if it doesn't sell in a reasonable time frame, as buyers will ask themselves "what is wrong with it"? You also have to remember that the bank has to give the buyer a loan and will do their own appraisal on the house and buyers very rarely will pay above the appraised value for a property click here.
Know how much it is going to cost to sell your home
Before you sell your property you should consider all of the costs associated with selling your home. If you decide to have a real estate professional sell your home you need to factor their commission into your bottom line. You also need to factor in closing costs, taxes, how much you are going to spend to get your property ready to sell and what it may cost to make any additional repairs requested by the buying party. Putting a realistic cost list together in advance will help when it comes to closing time.
Get your home in "Move In" condition
While a complete remodel may not be a great investment you should be prepared to give your home a facelift. Cosmetic improvements, such as changing light fixtures, patching holes, and mending fences can give your home a new feel an ensure your home will show its best. Home inspections are the number one place where sales fall apart. By addressing problems beforehand, you won't have to renegotiate the sale price or even worse have the buyer back out of the deal.
First impressions count
Most buyers form their first impressions within seconds of driving up to any property. Be sure to be detailed and one of the most important steps is creating curb appeal. Make sure that your lawn is tidy and that your bushes are trimmed. You don't need to be extravagant or even hire a professional, but a few bags of mulch and some new flowers can go a long way with creating that attractive first impression of the home.
A de-cluttered property will sell much faster than a home full of stuff
You may need to rent out a storage unit if needed to get rid of excess clutter. The more you can de-clutter, bathrooms, counters, desks, bedrooms, closets, shelves, drawers and basements the better off you will be. People want to envision themselves living in your house and the more space you can show them the easier it will be for them to picture them living there.
Be organized
Understand that potential buyers are going to look in your closets, garage, shed and basement. Make them look as organized as possible so it's easier for them to imagine their stuff in your house.
De-personalize your house as much as possible
Take the home out of your home. While those wedding photos or awards sure do look fantastic in your home remember we are trying to sell it. You want to make your property as neutral as possible so that people can envision their photos on the walls. Also remember to get rid of as many children's toys as possible.
You may need to pick up a paint brush
There is not another home improvement that will give you more bang for your buck than a fresh coat of paint. Dark colors can make a property feel small when you are trying convey the spacious feel of each room. Remember you are trying to sell the property and neutral colors that will appeal to the masses over personal preference will help brighten your home and ultimately help it sell faster.
Consider a professional cleaning
You need to present your home in its best light. Make sure that every room is spotless and odor free. A clean home is one that is inviting to buyers while a dirty property can just as easily turn people away. Ensure that your carpets are clean so that buyers don't feel the need to replace them and if need be hire a professional to make sure that it is really clean.
Make sure your pets are not around
When showing your home it is always advised to get your pets out of the house. The buyers may love pets but you want their attention on the property and not all people are into pets. You want to appeal to the masses and cast as wide a net as possible.
Lighting and showing your house
Natural light and making your home as bright as possible is one of the most helpful steps when showing a property. Open every curtain, bring up every blind and turn on as many lights as possible every time you show your home. The presentation of your home is critical and a bright home is always more appealing than a dark dreary home.
Put a sign on your front lawn
While many people don't want a For Sale sign on their front lawn this is a mistake. There is no reason to keep the sale of your house a secret and many homes have been sold because of a sign. One of your neighbors may know someone looking or someone may just drive by your house who hasn't seen your top flight online marketing.
Use every available online marketing tool
While we know that we have created the best available way for you to market your property, we also encourage you to post on other websites to create maximum exposure for your home. 1-800RealEstate.com has included links from our site for you to market your property on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Google. Again we strongly advise you to post in as many places as possible.
Get the best possible photos of your property
90% of buyers use the internet to shop for homes. This means their first impression is shaped by the quality of the images capturing your home. Listings with professional photography sell 32% faster and 47% higher than those with amateur photography. Check out our photography page to see local professionals work and choose for yourself.
Video can seal the deal for an appointment
Recent studies show that buyers are paying particular attention to videos and virtual tours. So, how can you create an amazing, cinematic video that captures all of the lifestyle elements to better position your listing? Check out our videographer page to see local professionals who can give your property the wow factor you are looking for.
Expect negotiations throughout the transaction
During the sale of your property you are going to encounter many negotiations. You need to have patience and keep the big picture in mind during the negotiations. Your ultimate goal is to sell your house for the highest net price possible. If the buyer feels taken advantage of during the initial negotiations, they may look to make up for it in the home inspection. Be firm but fair.
Choose the best time of year to sell
If you have the luxury of waiting to sell your property you may want to wait until the spring. Studies have shown that more people look in the nice weather and families generally want to move before the school year starts.
Accentuate the positive with regards to your property
If your property has super fast broadband or has smart technology let potential buyers know. Anything that you can do to set your property apart from your competition will help. Always make your home as inviting as possible.
Expect Inconvenience
Once you have your house in "show ready" condition now you have to keep it that way. You have to always be ready to show it at a moment's notice as you never know when the right buyer is going call. The more inconvenienced you are simply means you are getting lots of showings which should mean that you are that much closer to selling your property.
Expect a quick sale
If you have put a proper plan in place and have priced your house right there is no reason that it won't sell quickly. Selling your property quickly should be a priority and is the result of the right plan and hard work. The longer your house sits on the market the more people will wonder what's wrong with it. The average home sells between 60-90 days, but it is possible to sell faster than that if you take the time to analyze each aspect of your plan.