Are you thinking of selling your home? Perhaps you’ve got a lucrative new job or transfer to another city, or you’ve changed priorities and interests. Or maybe your family has outgrown your current house, and you need to find a larger home.
Whatever your motivation is, selling a property has never been plain sailing. For a smooth and successful selling process, you’ll need to learn tips for selling a house.
When selling a property, you’ve got so much to do. From preparing your home for sale, staging it, decluttering, depersonalizing, and decorating. And don’t forget to hire a realtor, inspector, home appraiser, and more.
Well, without prior background experience, selling a home can be time-consuming and stressful. However, in this significant transaction, you’ve got no room for error. The goal is to sell your house as fast as possible and get a top dollar for it.
But to achieve this, there’re several things to do when selling your property. Read more to learn 15 crucial tips for selling a house to get you started.
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1. Take care of the landscape
You already know the first impression is the last impression, right? Well, no matter how good your home’s interior is, potential buyers already have an impression before walking in. And remember, you don’t have the second chance to make a first impression.
During showings, you’ll want to make prospective buyers feel warmly welcomed and safe. To achieve this, spruce up your landscape with brightly colored flowers or well-trimmed shrubs. And regardless of how much you spend enriching the curb appeal of your property, rest assured to get a hundred percent return.
However, you don’t have to spend thousands of dollars, hire a professional or install a pool or water fountain. All you need is tidying up your outdoors and ensuring it looks neat and very alive. Remember, in real estate sales, first impression matters; make a good one.
2. Remove clutter
Decluttering is one of the most cost-effective tips in selling your property. By making your home clutter-free, you maximize the perceived space, making your home look bigger than it actually is. With more clutter, your space might feel squeezed and uncomfortable, and that’s not what you want.
One of the best ways to declutter is checking through all your belonging and clearing everything that is not essential. Whether it’s extra furniture or clothing that you no longer use, you can get your home ready for listing by donating to charities. By checking around, you’ll find numerous charities that can take the stuff away without any cost on your behalf.
Just in case you don’t feel like checking through everything you own and sorting them, at least put them in areas where buyers won’t check. If necessary, you may consider renting a self-storage space but don’t cram stuff into the garage or closet.
A cluttered house will make your home feel and seem a lot smaller than it is. If you want to get the best deal for your property, this might be a hindrance. Buyers today prefer bright, open spaces unconstrained by lots of personal property.
Clear the clutter to help the buyer visualize how they can use the property after buying!
3. Paint your interiors
As already stated, the first impression counts. Dark, drab colors will shrink space perception. Outmoded, stained paint makes your rooms appear decrepit.
However, with a fresh coat of paint, you’ll transmogrify your interiors. Well, painting your home remains one of the most significant home improvements when hitting the market; it can do wonders. But from a selling point of view, go for neutral colors when painting.
Keep in mind selling your property is not about personal preferences but what appeals to prospective buyers. As much as you want to appeal to the buyer, you don’t want to put them off with some awkward colors.
4. Put up a sign in the yard
Most home sellers today focus more on online marketing overlooking the basics. Erecting a ‘For Sale’ sign on your property will inform the masses that your home is on the market. Also, it becomes much easier for potential buyers to find the house easily when in the neighborhood.
While you may want to keep your home a secret for different reasons, this is a recipe for failure. When listing your property in the market, don’t underrate the power of real estate signage.
For instance, someone might not be thinking of buying a home, but they have always wished to own a property in the neighborhood. And if they came across a home in the market in the area, they would be interested. Well, this home could be you!
5. Use quality photos
Pictures are worth a thousand words, even in real estate listing. Being the first thing, the masses see, they can either make or break the sale. If you or your real estate agent aren’t skilled at photography, hire a professional real estate photographer.
You’ll want to use exceptional photos to draw potential buyers’ attention and make them want to visit. In most cases, reputable real estate agents offer a professional photography package when you hire them. However, you’ll need to ask just to be sure before hiring one.
6. Consider a video tour
Besides photos, real estate agents also utilize slideshows and videos in a home sale. A real estate video would make the buyer even more interested in the property. Most buyers want a tour before they decide to visit, and a virtual house tour gets the job done.
However, for a professional-grade video that will be appealing to the masses, work with experts. Hire a professional real estate photographer or ask your realtor if they offer the services. Of course, you don’t want a poor-quality video that turns off buyers in the very first stage.
7. Use all channels in marketing
Marketing your house makes it easier for prospective buyers to find. And the more you advertise it, the higher the chances that someone interested will come across it. However, when marketing your home, use effective methods such as online house selling.
Old school realtors may not be using new marketing tools, which might cost you a lot. You’ll want to hire one with proven and demonstrated ability to use the web in marketing properties. Also, you don’t just need a realtor with a website; the site should be visible and with high traffic.
8. Consider good lighting
A bright, zippy home is more attractive and inviting to the buyers. If possible, let in more natural light or add extra lighting fixtures to light up your home if it’s dim. In some cases, all you might need is a brighter bulb.
Ensure that all curtains are drawn and keep the lights on when you have a scheduled showing. Again, how you present your home matters. And while lighting might seem trivial, it could make a world of difference in the home sale.
9. Consider professional cleaning
There’s nothing more inviting than a spotless, organized, and squeaky-clean home. No matter how good it is, a dirty home will turn ay buyers at first sight. And even though you’re used to cleaning your home, hiring a professional ensures it’s looking its best.
A professional house cleaning company will perform a deep clean to leave your home sparkling clean. They’ll pay close attention to your bathrooms and kitchen, where buyers pay closer attention to. Also, these professionals will reach every nook and cranny to ensure your property is appealing to potential buyers.
10. Conduct the necessary repairs
To sell your home fast, you’ll need to address repairs that may derail the process. Arguably, conducting multiple renovations might be a bad investment since you may not get your money back. However, if a realtor advises you to fix a leaking sink/toilet, faulty wiring/pipe, or a noticeable stain in the ceiling, do it.
Some of these trivial issues could make a buyer demand a lower price or, worse, back out from the sale. This is also the case if a buyer has a home inspection and various problems are identified. Work closely with the real estate agent to know what needs repair.
If repairs are expensive and you’re under a tight budget, you may consider selling your home in as-is condition.
11. Always be ready to show
At all times, your house must be in top shape for a show. Furthermore, you don’t know when a prospective buyer might come knocking on your door. If they find your home in bad condition, this might disinterest them.
Apart from keeping your home in mint condition, you’ll want to be available whenever a buyer wants a showing. Avoid leaving dirty dishes on the sink, ensure dishwashers are cleaned out, and keep bathrooms sparkling. While this might feel inconveniencing and tiring, it might be the reason your house sells fast.
12. Make the kitchen appealing
One of the major focuses for most home buyers is the kitchen. In fact, you’re not actually selling the house; it is the kitchen you’re selling – that’s just how important the kitchen is.
There are numerous perks of renovating your kitchen before listing your home. The good thing is, you’re assured of getting eighty-five percent of your money back and a higher home valuation. Consider updating outmoded counter-tops, faucets, cabinets, tiles, or even painting.
To make your property sell fast and get a top dollar, go the extra mile to make the kitchen appealing.
13. Be organized
People will want a complete walkthrough in your home during showings, opening every door. Thus, ensure every room and space, including the garage and closets, is in tip-top condition for a good impression. Also, organized space helps the buyer to visualize how suitable the space is and how they can fit their belongings.
Thus, before listing, make sure your home is well organized. Also, don’t forget to maintain your home in this condition until it finds a new owner.
14. Take your pets somewhere for showings
You love and adore your pets very much, and you always want them near you, right? While you can’t imagine it, some people just don’t like pets, and you must consider this when selling your home. While you don’t want to associate with such people, they could be the ones to give the best offer.
Thus, take your pets to a comfortable and safe place, such as to your friend’s home. Also, make sure to clean any mess from the pets and get rid of their odors.
Here are key tips for selling a house
Selling your home is one of the biggest financial transactions you’ll make in your lifetime. The home selling process can be overwhelming and challenging for first-timers. Learn the best tips for selling a house for a fast sale and the best deal.
Above are the key tips for selling a house to get you started.
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