5 Things You Should Consider When Selling a Home

Are you considering selling your home? The real estate market can be fast-paced and highly competitive, with sellers typically having the advantage–but that doesn’t mean it still isn’t a lot of work! To sell fast and turn a real profit, there are several steps you need to take before putting your house on the market. Here’s a concise, seller-savvy checklist to make sure your home gets the attention–and the flood of offers–it deserves:

1. Find a Great Real Estate Agent

The right real estate agent can make the whole selling process much less daunting and painful. Hiring an experienced agent who has their finger on the pulse of local trends can mean the difference between a speedier sale and weeks of missed opportunities and languishing on the market. You’ll want to go with a professional, not the sister of your yoga instructor who “just got her license but really loves houses.”

A great real estate agent can help you get the optimal price for your home based on current (and local) market trends as well as the best marketing strategies to get only the most qualified buyers while also protecting your best interests.

2. Curb Appeal and the Presentation

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) reports that 97% of potential buyers take curb appeal heavily into consideration when looking for a home–so there’s really only one shot to make a great first impression. It doesn’t have to be a feat of landscaping, either, just simple siding along walkways, or power washing the driveway.

If you’re at a loss where to start, or you don’t exactly have two (or even one) green thumb, Yardzen offers custom landscaping designs online that works with your home’s unique exterior to see how it will look (photorealistically) before a single shrub is trimmed.

3. Depersonalize Your Space

While your wedding photos may be beautiful, they can also be a distraction during the showing process. Potential buyers need to see themselves living in your home–not you. Make sure your space is neutral, and put away the monogrammed towels or Vegas shot glasses, replacing them instead with soft-colored throw pillows and cozy lighting. The focus should ultimately be on the home, not your personal items.

4. Declutter/Organize

Clutter can sabotage deals with a messy home making it seemingly smaller than it actually is, or worse, signaling neglect. A HomeLight survey points out that making the effort to declutter may possibly increase a home’s value up to $11,706, which can be done at little cost with big payoffs. Simply clear countertops, open up floor spaces, and put away whatever is non-essential so as not to detract from the overall space.

Organization is also equally important–be sure to pack up excess stuff to highlight your home’s storage potential. If embarking on an all out purge, ThredUp is another online service that can resell or donate your old clothing rather than just adding it to a landfill, which can harmfully impact the environment over time.

5. Fix Minor Repairs

Do you think buyers won’t notice loose door handles or scuff marks on the wall? Think again! Even the most insignificant flaws can make your home look old or poorly maintained. If possible, patch holes or replace dim/burnt-out bulbs along with outdated fixtures. If issues are more severe, seek out a quote from a contractor to prevent being blindsided later during negotiations.

You might also spend the money on having a professional stage your home to get the maximum wow factor out of your space to attract the buyer’s eyes, and maybe have them not take a little wear and tear here and there as seriously.

Get Set for a Successful Sale with an Expert Encinitas Realtor

Turning your home into a bonafide buyer magnet comes with more than just putting up a “For Sale” sign in the front yard, it takes some time, planning, and a little inspiration. If you want to walk away from the closing table with the best deal possible, contact Realtor Linda Moore for specific things you can do to increase your home’s value, reduce time on the market, and make it ready to impress!