TIPS FOR SELLING
First main tip - Hire me! I will guide you through the entire process making it as easy as possible for you!
Be available to your Real Estate Agent
Be available. During a transaction, there will be items that are time sensitive. It is imperative that you are able to return phone calls the same day whenever possible, and that you can sign documents in a timely manner. If for any reason you cannot, please let me know so that we can make arrangements on our end. Most documents can be signed electronically so having your smart phone, computer or WIFI tablet available is strongly suggested.
First impressions
Like a great first date, you want to put your best foot forward. Be sure that your home is always “Buyer Ready”. Make your home look crisp, clean, and well presented at all times. You may get requests from agents and potential buyers to view your home at any given time. Having your home ready to show at all times is very important.
Thought to consider: PRE-INSPECTION - Hire an inspector when you first decide you want to sell. The inspector will tell you what all needs to be fixed before you put your house on the market. Fix the items that you feel you can fix or can afford to fix at the time. These items will come up again when the buyer orders their own inspection on the home. You would not want to lose a potential buyer or the sale to fall through because of an inspection report. This is a way to “beat them to the punch”. Items that you cannot fix, can be negotiated into the sales price of the home or property if that issue is concerning enough to the buyer.
Note: Hiring an inspector to inspect your home before placing your home on the market is only a “thought to consider”. You DO NOT have to do this step if you do not want or feel the need to. The buyer should schedule an inspection on their own so this is not a requirement for you to do so.
Remember this: Investing a little back into your home now will bring in strong buyers and is surely a good return on your investment.
Some Simple Tips and Encouraged Suggestions
Paint
A fresh coat of paint throughout the interior of the home with a light airy neutral color (light tan or light gray) will go a long way. Some buyers are deterred by too many colors or exceptionally bright colors. The buyers can possibly see it as another item they would have to "fix" or update.
If your exterior paint on the home needs freshening up as well, see what you can do to give it a little bit of a lift.
Carpets and floors
If there are any stains in the home’s carpet or the carpet appears worn down or dirty, clean or replace the carpets. Rent a commercial carpet cleaning machine or hire a company to professionally clean the carpets throughout the home. With hard surface floors, if there are any cracks, broken or lifting of planks, stains or discoloration, etc. see what you can do to correct these issues.
Also, be sure to clean the grout in your tile flooring. There are many great grout cleaners out there – check your local stores and/or hardware stores. Some may be a simple fix while others may be more time consuming and strenuous.
Fix items that are broken
Repair or replace any broken items within the home and property. (example: holes in walls, interior and exterior doors, ceiling repairs, lights, faucets, appliances, windows, cosmetic repairs, patch work, garage doors and openers, exterior pillars, shutters, plumbing or electrical repairs, etc.)
Clean your entire home
Remember those ceiling vents, ceiling fans and light fixtures. Be sure to clean your windows, baseboards, cupboard doors, appliances, etc. Make sure beds are made, bathrooms are clean and tidy, kitchen is clean with no dishes on the counter or in the sink.
Continue this until the day of closing. There will be several additional visits to the home during the financing and closing period. (Buyer, Inspector, Appraisal, etc.)
Note: Buyers will look in the closets, cupboards, pantry, laundry area, etc. to get an idea of how much space and storage is in the home. Most Buyers will request a final close-out deep clean to be done on the home as well.
Declutter your home
Only have items out that you use daily. Put away kitchen equipment, décor on the counters, mail, old movies, magazines or books, fluff your pillows and cushions, and organize any blankets. Get items off the floor. The more floor space a buyer sees, the more spacious it looks. Put the furniture that you do not use, need, or is cumbersome in storage or in the garage. Thin out your inventory in your home.
If you have young children, clean up all of their toys and only have the ones that they play with daily. Designate an area (kids’ playroom or kids’ bedroom) for their toys. Clean up their toys from around the house and put them in the designated area. Again, you want to show the house for its maximum potential. Buyers want to vision their items in that space.
Depersonalize your home
Take down any/all personal pictures or family pictures. You want the buyer to feel like they are walking into their potential new home. Put all personal pictures away in a safe place until after the home is sold.
Pets
Send them to grandma’s or a friend’s house during your selling process. Some buyers are deterred from purchasing a home with indoor pets. Especially buyers who are prone to allergies. Deep clean your walls, long curtains, carpets and floors with vinegar or pet solution before showing your home. Clean up your pet’s restroom areas. (litterboxes, backyard, etc.)
Note: A buyer and the seller should not have to be worried about a pet getting out of the house during a showing. If you cannot send your pets to a pet sitter, please place them in an area where they cannot get out for their safety and that of the real estate agent and potential buyer.
Curb appeal (Outside appearance of home)
Freshen up the front and back yard. Mow the yard, pull weeds, put down new bark or mulch, trim the bushes and trees, add a pot with flowers, etc. If available or able, power wash your driveway, sidewalk and porch. Make the home look inviting and well-kept from the outside as well.
Staging – A well-staged home will sell for more than one that's not been gussied up. Home shoppers, when they enter a nicely staged home, can imagine themselves living there. Photos of a properly staged home look better in online listings, which help sell the property. Staging helps sell homes three to 30 times faster than the nonstaged competition.
Photography – Higher quality photos can increase the number of people clicking on your listing, which can potentially double the attention your home gets from buyers. There is no doubt that professional photos will sell your home faster.