Twelve quick tips on selling your home
2022/04/01

"Are you ready to place your home on the market? Be as informed as possible so you can make the right decisions. Here are some simple ways to get the best possible price: "

1 - Determine the fair market value
Buyers are looking for a home that is correctly priced. Overpricing your home means that it may not sell right away. Eventually, questions will be asked as to why it is not selling.

2 - First impressions
See that the front of your home is as near perfect as possible. Start with the outside. Are the lawns in good shape and the garden landscaped and pretty? Present its best features and remove distractions. Tidy, clean, uniform and pretty should be your guidelines. The buyer's initial reaction will determine whether they buy or walk away from your home.

3 - Remove personal items
Remove pictures and personal items of sentimental value. Potential buyers want to see the structure of the home and you don’t want them to be distracted by your memories.

4 - Declutter
Every home has clutter but do your best to remove yours before putting your house on the market. Remove anything that is not needed by placing it in storage. This gives buyers a better opportunity to place their own furniture in their minds.

5 - Neutral Colours
You might think this is bland, but people shy away from bold colours on walls and doors. Give your home a coat of paint using neutral colours. Most buyers do not want to paint the minute they move in and will be happy to place their belongings in rooms that do not make striking statements.

6 - Kitchens and bathrooms
Special attention is always paid to these two rooms. They should be clean and well lit. If you have any gadgets that you will be leaving behind, make sure the potential buyers are aware that they are in working order. Buyers are usually keen on these items and it may detract them from rooms that will need revamping in the not too distant future.

7 - Never apologise for your home
Your home is what it is. Be proud of it. Apologising gives rise to questions. If there are any problems, offer solutions but never apologise.

8 - Work with your agent
Help your real estate agent to sell your home. Give them the information they need and step back. All viewings should be arranged and presented by the agent. They have the experience, otherwise, you would not have involved them.

9 - View by appointment only
Serious buyers will have been screened by your agent. This means your house is not on view to everyone but only to those pre-qualified by your agent. Should a buyer arrive without an appointment, you are quite entitled to give them your agent's card and ask them to view the house with the agent.

10 - Sell before you need to
There is no definite time frame to sell your home. Circumstances change but it is always preferable to put your house up for sale before you plan to move. This gives you leeway of about three to six months before your home is sold. On receipt of a serious offer, you can begin your search for a new home. This eliminates trying to sell your home in a hurry and perhaps not achieving the price you wanted for your home.

11 - Advertise
View your estate agent's marketing plan before you sign a contract. Make sure that your home is advertised in the areas that will attract buyers. A well-priced home will not sell if it is not advertised correctly.

12 - Remove emotion
No matter how many fond memories you have of your home, remember the buyer is not interested in any of them. They will only be interested in the property they are buying. Make sure that when you look at offers, you do so rationally and do not let your emotions rule your decision to sell.

Realty King IPG

RTS