Selling a home can be overwhelming, even with professional help. Where do you start? To help you maximize the net proceeds and sell with shorter marketing time, the homeowner’s cooperation and participation are necessary for a smooth transition. Both you and your Realtor can work smart to achieve your objectives.
Inspect your home Pricing is based on many factors, including square footage, condition, lot size and positioning, views, perceived desirability of the neighborhood, and functionality of the floor plan. Studies show that overpriced homes ultimately sell for less than similar homes that are placed on the market correctly priced. Listen to the professionals. Price is critical, but it is not everything.
Condition is another important factor in selling your home. To maximize the offering price you will receive, repair and correct all deficiencies in the home before it is placed on the market. Look at your house as if it belongs to someone else or as if you were considering purchasing it yourself. With a critical eye, check every feature of the home. Repairs most often needed in this area include replacing windows with broken vacuum seals, treating exterior wood trim and decks, repairing ordinary drywall stress cracks on the interior, painting the walls, and replacing floor coverings.
Once you’ve spruced up, painted, and repaired your home, you are ready to “stage” your home. This is done by decluttering floors, counter tops, bookshelves and furniture. Store or pack the clutter you are removing. Brighten up the exterior with bedding plants. Set the table and put out fresh flowers. When you are finished, your home should show like a model home. Interestingly, your workload of preparing the home prior to showings will be reduced because the clutter is gone. For showings, leave all lights in the home turned on.
The real estate industry is requiring more and more disclosures and paperwork. Your Realtor will advise you on how to prepare your home for showings, as well as guide you through the necessary paperwork required to sell your home.
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