When you decide to sell your home, the amount of advice you’ll find on the internet and from family and friends can be overwhelming.
Most of it you should receive with a polite smile and then filter it out. The task of selling your home is pretty simple. As an experienced real estate agent in your neighborhood, I don’t want you to fear the process, because as your agent, I’ll be with you every step of the way.
Some effort is required on your part, of course. The amount of work you put into making your home ready for sale will pay dividends when the offers start coming in. If you’ve renovated a bathroom or kitchen, you can expect your investment to be rewarded.
But there are a few basic actions you should undertake to ensure a successful sale. Here are my quick tips.
Keep it real – Check-out the prices of similar properties of homes for sale nearby. No matter what your friends say your property is worth, it won’t magically sell for 25% more than the going rate! If you doubt me, go visit the “competition” currently on market to see how they compare.
Pick the right agent – This is critical. Your agent will work with you on pricing. If you’ve done your homework, you’ll know if they promise a price they can never deliver on. Make sure your agent is motivated, otherwise your property could languish on the market for months.
First impressions count – Street appeal is essential. You get one chance to make a first impression, so make it a good one. Consider repainting the front door and windows, mulch the flowerbeds and plant some colorful blooms for a little sass. Your front yard must be tidy and the lawn is in good shape.
Clutter-buster – At the very least, your home should be neat and tidy when prospective buyers walk through the property. An untidy home looks small and inadequate, and it will never sell.
Smell of success – That smell is no smell at all. Deodorize your home to ensure you don’t put off any buyers, especially if you keep pets. Burn some incense and put out flowers. Some of my clients have been known to bake cookies or make coffee! A little classical music adds a touch of class, too during a showing.
Focus on key rooms – These are the kitchen and bathrooms. You don’t have to remodel them. Instead, focus on small details such as organizing the cupboards and shelves neatly, and making a little splash by hanging colourful, fluffy towels.
Come out of the closet – Don’t jam everything into the closets when your declutter. Buyers will open cupboards to judge the amount of available space. Make sure they’re half-empty to leave the impression there’s ample storage. Hiring storage – or having a huge cull – can help.
Keep lights on – Turn all your lights on when buyers come through. Open the drapes and the windows, too. Light leaves visitors with a favourable impression of the size of the home.
It’s not personal – Get some early packing done by boxing up your personal photos. Buyers want to picture themselves in your home, not feel like they’ve intruded into your life.