Getting Ready to Sell
A Few Tips for Our Sellers
Not every seller HAS to hire a real estate professional to sell their home. But if you are here, perhaps you are wondering whether your household has the organizing skills, objective aesthetic sensibilities, comfort with negotiating and contracting, and the extra time it requires to sell your homes yourselves.
Studies show that, on average, home sellers who use a real estate professional to represent them get a better price than those who sell their home themselves. In short, this is because we are able to add experience, negotiating skills, and objective facts to the situation –facts about market pricing and facts about what turns buyers off and what buyers are looking for.
Before Your Home Is Listed
It’s important to have your home in good showing condition before buyers start going through it. Here are some steps to take:
- Touch up interior and exterior paint as needed.
- Install new carpeting and flooring if it appears worn or dated.
- Make sure the front is clean and spruced up – curb appeal will create a favorable first impression.
- Trim bushes and plants as needed, and make sure the lawn is kept mowed and trimmed. In autumn, rake the leaves; in winter, keep the snow shoveled.
- Keep the interior clean, de cluttered and odor-free.
- Minimize personal items such as family photos. It helps allow buyers to see themselves living in the home.
- Consider putting excess furniture and belongings in storage. Now is the time to clean out the garage and basement and sell, give away or throw away items you don’t need anymore.
- Consider engaging a professional stager to give your home the right emotional appeal.
During the Listing Period
When potential buyers visit your home, do your best to be absent. If you must be there, make yourself as inconspicuous as possible. If possible, have fresh flowers in the entryway. It makes for a friendly introduction into your home. If offers are made that don’t match your hoped for price, don’t reject them out of hand. Pay attention to your agent’s advice. Consider dropping the price if you aren’t getting many showings, so your listing doesn’t get stale. If you and your agent have priced your home properly from the start, this shouldn’t be necessary, but the market can be fickle from one month to another so sometimes adjustments are necessary based on supply and demand.
More tips
For more tips call us at (608) 284-9311 and set up an in-home listing appointment. Unlike other real estate agents, we never require, or even ask you to sign a contract the same day you see it.
Happy Sellers Ellen and Guy