Selling Your Home
Many new homebuyers must first sell the current home in order to secure financing for the new purchase. At times this may seem a daunting task, but it needn't be, especially if you take into account some basic tips to maximize your sales price and increase the appeal of your current home.
- De-personalize
While it may seem like home to you, what you really want is for it to feel like home to a prospective buyer. Removing personal items like family photos, awards and mementos can help to de-personalize the home and give it more buyer appeal. - De-clutter
This is the hardest thing for most people to do because they are emotionally attached to everything in the house. After years of living in the same home, clutter collects in a places that may not be evident to the homeowner"on shelves, counter tops, drawers, closets, garages, attics, and basements and affects the way buyers see the home, even if you do not realize it.Take a step back and pretend you are a buyer. Let a friend help point out areas of clutter, as long as you can accept their views without getting defensive. Let your agent help you, too. - Fix it up!
When attempting to sell your home to prospective buyers, do not forget to make your home look as pleasant as possible. Make necessary repairs. Clean. Make sure everything functions and looks presentable both inside and outside. A poorly kept home in need of repairs will surely lower the selling price of your property and will even turn away some buyers. - Price it right
Every seller obviously wants to get the most money for his or her product. Ironically, the best way to do this is NOT to list your product at an excessively high price! A high listing price will cause some prospective buyers to lose interest before even seeing your property. Also, it may lead other buyers to expect more than what you have to offer. As a result, overpriced properties tend to take an unusually long time to sell, and they end up being sold at a lower price. Work with your agent to come up with a fair and marketable price. - Make your home a showcase
Not everyone makes his or her bed every day, but when selling a home it is recommended that you develop the habit. Pick up papers, do not leave empty glasses in the family room, keep everything freshly dusted and vacuumed, empty the kitchen trash. Try your best to have it look like a model home"a home with furniture but nobody really lives there. - Mimick the Models!
Succesful sellers often mimick these successful model home tactics:- Turn on all the lights to prevent harsh shadows from sunlight and brighten up any dim areas.
- Appeal to all the sense of smell by infusing a subtle fragrance throughout your home. Potpourri placed in several rooms achieves this very well. Avoid fragrance sprays as they give an antiseptic feel to the house, and be sure to empty the kitchen trash frequently!
- Make a plan for your pets, either by ensuring they are not in the house when potential buyers visit, or by making arrangements to ensure they will not interfere with the visit.
- Know your Rights
It is extremely important that you are well-informed of the details in your real estate contract. Real estate contracts are legally binding documents, and they can often be complex and confusing. Not being aware of the terms in your contract could cost you thousands for repairs and inspections. Know what you are responsible for before signing the contract. Can the property be sold "as is"? How will deed restrictions and local zoning laws affect your transaction? Not knowing the answers to these kind of questions could end up costing you a considerable amount of money.