How to Prepare and Sell Your Home
Even though the real estate market has slowed down in recent months, there are still plenty of homebuyers eager to make a purchase. Knowing how to prepare your home for sale, when to allow access for showings, how you can offer buyer incentives and selecting a professional Realtor to prepare and execute a marketing plan, will help you find the right buyer even in a challenging market.
REPAIRS
Before you put your home on the market make sure all basic repairs are completed. Nothing can turn off a prospective buyer quicker than loose railings, torn screens or missing hardware on cupboard doors. These easy repairs do not cost a lot of money and are invaluable tools to selling your home in a competitive market. If a homebuyer sees that the little things are not attended to, they are likely to believe that the larger things are neglected as well. Let buyers know that you have pride in your home by making sure that all of the small repairs are taken care of.
CLEANLINESS
While your home is on the market, it is imperative that you keep your home clean at all times. In any real estate market, it is important to have your home available to show at a moment's notice. The more often your home is shown, the likelier it is that your home will sell. Keep your home available to your realtor and they will be able to show your home quickly to any buyer that shows interest. Nothing delays the sale of your home like missed showings.
STAGING
Have your home staged. Remove clutter, unnecessary furniture and depersonalize your space. Prospective homebuyers want to picture their family in the home, not yours. A home full of personal clutter will not show off the potential of your home. Pierre and Gia provide these services to you FOR FREE as we are educated in how to stage a home for sale. Other agents will refer you to a consultant who will charge you a fee.
PETS
We all love OUR pets. Prospective homebuyers do not love YOUR pets. Keep pets contained during a real estate showing and make sure that your cat litter box is always clean. Pet owners tend to get used to the odors caused by litter boxes and it is important that you remember to clean it every day. Nothing will turn off a prospectivehome buyer like a home that smells. Many people are fearful of dogs, especially ones that they do not know. Make sure that you either take your dog with you for a showing or put them on a leash outside.
PRICING
Be realistic. Forget about what could have been if you had sold it last year and focus on what your home is worth TODAY. In a buyer's market, buyers have more bargaining power especially if your house is overpriced. Buyers know that you want to sell your home and a home that is priced too high is likely to be overlooked. Ask a fair price for your home to avoid the need for too much negotiation. Remember - the market today is very competitive!
YOUR REALTOR
In a slow market, hiring a realtor is crucial to getting your home sold in a reasonable amount of time. Nothing beats the experience that comes from a real estate agent who is able to take care of everything in order to sell your home. Listen to the expert.
Selling your home can be a stressful time but you can be successful in selling your home if you remain patient, reasonable and flexible. There are buyers out there and the key is to find them and get them to fall in love with your home. We are here to help!