|
|
Tips for selling your home:
First things first—and first impressions are everything. Look at your home from a prospective homebuyer’s view, especially as they first drive up to your house for the first time. Stand across the street and really look at your home. Does it look clean, well-kept, attractive, and welcoming? When your home is on the market, it’s very important that your landscaping is well-groomed and your lawn is mowed 24/7. Plus, your driveway, exterior porches, and exterior walls must be clean, too. If the outside of your home isn’t appealing, potential buyers aren’t as likely to take a tour of the inside. Curb appeal draws buyers inside.
Here’s something to remember; let’s say your home is worth approximately $200,000, and you spend $30,000 to remodel the kitchen. Many people mistakenly believe that the home is now worth $230,000—but that’s not necessarily true. While a remodel certainly adds some value, it’s like buying a new car that depreciates in value the moment you drive it off the dealer’s lot. Instead, concentrate on making small upgrades, such as
replacing the kitchen sink faucet or updating an old water heater. If your kitchen or bathroom is very outdated, you’ll usually come out ahead by discounting the asking price, rather than making costly remodels.
Inside your home, while it’s on the market, it’s best to “depersonalize it.” Remember—your home is “on show” and the best way to get it ready is to remove family photos, personalized art, collectibles and replace vibrant colors with neutrals. Declutter closets and keep it clean so that prospective buyers can easily visualize how they would like to decorate it and make it their own.
Next, choosing the right listing price is one of the most important aspects of selling your home. If you price it too low, you’ll obviously leave money on the table, and if it’s too high, you’ll get few offers and watch it get stale on the market. Generally, hiring a real estate professional will save you time and money in the long run. Since a real estate agent is paid a percentage of your selling price, it’s in their best interest to price it just right. They want to earn the highest commission possible, but they also want to earn a commission within a reasonable amount of selling time. Also,
real estate agents know the local market like the back of their hands. In the end, it’s up to you, of course, but hiring a professional may help prevent many headaches from trying to sell on your own, and help keep your house from becoming stale on the market.
|
|
|
