Home Selling 101 - Getting Your Home Ready to Sell
Home Selling 101
Getting Your Home Ready to Sell
Tips for Preparing Your Home for Its Market Debut
Start Packing and Declutter – Go ahead and pack items you don’t plan to use until after you’ve moved, including any personal photos displayed in the home. Removing clutter will make your home appear more spacious. Decide if you plan to leave appliances such as the washer/dryer, refrigerators, etc. Think about exclusions you may want to list such as mounted TV’s and media equipment.
Get Your Home Move-In Ready – Most buyers want a home in move-in condition when they buy. For example, painting the interiors a neutral shade or white is a simple way to make a home appear brighter and allows potential buyers to easily incorporate their style into the space.
Boost Curb Appeal – The exterior is often a potential buyer’s first impression of your home. If it is well-kept outside many buyers also assume it will be well-kept inside. Paint or clean your exterior, trim hedges and shrubs and mow the lawn. Add color with flowers in beds and/or pots. These small activities have a big impact on attracting the right buyers to your home.
Stage – Make your home look its best by staging high-traffic rooms such as the family room and kitchen. Staging helps buyers picture themselves in the home. While many sellers hire a professional, especially in competitive markets, you may also be able to do it yourself. Be sure to include your outdoor furniture and patio area when staging. Clean your pool and remove any toys. At this time I will engage a photographer to take professional photos of your home for marketing purposes.
Marketing It Right – Once your home is ready to sell, it’s time to think about marketing. Marketing helps find the right qualified buyer to purchase your home. It all begins with pricing. Homes that are priced right are often picked up by buyers in a short amount of time. To price your home we’ll review comparable homes in your area that are currently on the market and that have sold in the last few months. We’ll also take into account your home’s location, square footage, amenities and condition, as well as local market conditions. All of the information is included in the Comparative Market Analysis (CMA) that I will prepare for you. Showing Your Home – Try to keep your home in show-ready condition. Interested buyers will make an appointment to see your home in person. It’s standard to leave your home while potential buyers are there; doing so makes them feel more comfortable talking about the home and encourages them to take their time. Open the curtains and blinds to let light in and turn on all the lights in your home. Also, be sure the thermostat is set to a comfortable temperature.
Handling Offers – When you get an offer we will present it to you and negotiate on your behalf. Thee offer may include the amount the buyer is proposing to pay, how much they plan to mortgage, their ideal closing date, any contingencies and personal property they want included or excluded. Once you’ve accepted an offer we will outline contingency dates and start the paperwork process. During this time it’s important to make sure all contingencies, including inspections and repairs, are made by the deadlines. On closing day, the buyer will do a final walkthrough to check the condition of the home and ensure the required repairs were made.
Closing – During the closing process you and the buyer will sign the final paperwork. Additionally, the title will be transferred to the buyer and they will receive the house keys. Most importantly you’ll receive payment for the home, minus the payoff of the existing mortgage and transaction costs.
