Tips To Selling Home

Getting Started

Getting your house ready to sell is not about having to change everything that you've lived with for years just because some presumptuous realtor tells you to. It is about looking at your property objectively to see if there is anything that you need to change make your home show in the best possible way. Approach this process with an open and practical mind and you will be rewarded.

Remember

People buy houses that make them feel safe, likable, and important.
People buy houses that look and feel how they would like to see themselves living.
Paying attention to details will make all of the difference.

First Impressions

The first impression can make or break how a property is perceived by the potential purchaser. Make the best impression by taking care of details that will count.

paint the front door if the paint is the least bit tired
polish the door hardware- this helps a home look well cared for.
porches should be in good repair with paint that is still shinny
the landscaping and yard should well tended- with fresh mulch, appealing budding plants, etc.
wash the windows inside and out

The House Itself

Not every house can show as if it’s freshly renovated but attention to small details can help you place the property in a better light.

touch up the paint where it is needed
check the walls in halls/stairs & other high traffic areas to see if they need cleaning or paint.
raise the shades & let in as much natural sunlight as possible
Wash windows
floors- polish or refinish if needed: prospective purchasers will always notice the floors!
Objectively look at your rooms. If you have too much stuff, thin it out. Being slightly under furnished makes a room seem more spacious.
clean out closets, attics, basements, garages, etc.

Clean Up

Sometimes it is hard to be really objective with yourself about how you live and what you consider clean, but you must. Have the house as clean as possible, including windows, appliances, etc. Get everything as clean as you can. hire a service if you need to. Remember, soap and elbow grease are cheap and that they will get you a higher sales price. Even if the prospective buyers are slobs and love a mess, they don't want to but one.

What Buyers Don't Want

old carpets- '70's shag just doesn't get raves anymore
paint schemes that make a room look dated
replace dated light fixtures and plumbing fixtures where needed for a quick makeover. If there is a fixture you wish to keep replace it with something attractive before showing the property.

Systems

Make sure that everything works. If you know of something that needs to be fixed, fix it. The repair will then become a selling point.
Know as much as you can about the condition of your house. If necessary, get it inspected by a house inspector yourself before you market your home. This will take the surprises out of the inspection process; you can fix things that need fixing, and make these items selling points.

Details

The more attention paid to them, the better your house will show. The better it shows, the faster it sells.

Pricing Your Home

objectively look at what other properties similar to yours have sold for in the past 6-12 months
Adjust those sale prices up and down according to the differences in the properties
Consider hiring a professional real estate appraiser to evaluate the value of your home today. An appraisal can help you establish value and can become a sales tool.
Avoid over pricing your house. This will ultimately cost you.

When Hiring An Agent

A good agent will use aggressive marketing techniques to sell your home. These include direct mailings, newspaper advertisements, open houses, online listings, and networking with other agents. These techniques are designed to get maximum exposure for your home and find a buyer for you.