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You probably felt a mix of emotions, from exhilaration to fear to a fleeting “What have I gotten myself into?” thought, when you purchased your first home. Those feelings faded, though, and eventually you came to call this place home.
Selling a home can be an emotional roller coaster, regardless of how long you’ve lived there. This is especially true in the current real estate market. Here are ten great real estate tips to get you started and maybe even remove some of the emotion from the process.
First and foremost, you should locate an appropriate listing agent.
Choose a real estate agent who is reliable, quick to respond, and well-versed in the market; someone you can rely on to help you through the entire process of selling your house. Recommendations on listing price, repairs that will help you sell, and tips on decluttering, staging, and increasing your home’s curb appeal should all come from a knowledgeable seller’s agent.
Throughout the offer negotiation process, a great seller’s agent really shines. It is important to get as much money as possible when selling your home. The first step in this procedure is settling on an appropriate asking price.
A lengthier period of time on the market than average is possible if your home is priced too high. Potential buyers may start to question its worth because of this.
Undervaluing your home can cause you to lose potential buyers and reduce the amount of equity you have when you move on to another property.
The best selling agent will have keen intuition about the local property market. It’s important to take your time and talk to multiple agents to locate one who you click with and who will aggressively represent your interests.
Secondly: You should pick the right moment to put your house on the market.
True real estate experts agree that spring and summer are peak house-hunting months. In most cases, a buyer will conduct extensive web research on properties months before taking their first physical tour of potential homes. This will help them determine which communities are within their price range and where they would like to settle down.
The beginning of April or the end of March is traditionally regarded the start of the homebuying season. This year’s homebuying season appears to have begun early, after a slow winter period, the property market has started to rise again . This means that you can get top price for your home right now without having to wait.
Thirdly: It’s important to use professional photos and 3D tours.
The use of 3D tours by real estate agents has become increasingly common. Real estate agents and purchasers alike can greatly benefit from virtual tours. Whether it’s the middle of the night or the middle of the day, buyers can “shop” and sellers can “display” their property at any hour that suits them. Since only serious buyers would schedule a viewing, this helps to save time as well. Serious buyers will see the 3D tour (often multiple times) before requesting a viewing.
There is also the option of hiring a professional photographer to capture the greatest angles of your property. Real estate listings accompanied by high-caliber, expert photography have been shown to sell more quickly and for a higher price. An experienced real estate photographer will know how to capture each space so that its best qualities shine through. In the evening, with the lights on inside and out, you can also have photographs taken. The key is to conjure up vivid mental images in the minds of your potential customers.
Selling a luxury property with a breathtaking view or expansive land? Drone photography is the perfect way to show off your property’s best features.
Fourth: Take care of the fixes identified in the pre-listing inspection.
The temptation to put off maintenance in hopes that the new owner will take care of it might be strong. If you put your house on the market needing obvious repairs, potential buyers will look at your property with a critical eye, looking for other signs of postponed upkeep. One of the best real estate selling advice is to schedule a pre-listing home inspection if you want to be proactive.
Closing on a house is a stressful time, so it’s in everyone’s best interest to make all of the inspector’s recommended repairs before putting it on the market. Your buyer will have more faith in the sale if they are allowed to conduct their own inspection as part of the sales contract, and if that inspector verifies that everything is in fine working order.
Fifth: Improve your curb appeal.
It could seem counterproductive to improve the exterior of your house when you plan to sell it. Maintenance such as mowing the grass, edging the flower beds, fixing the fence, power washing the patio, and dusting off the ceiling fans will make your home stand out and wow potential buyers.
Remember the last time you went on a house-hunting drive. Most people wouldn’t bother to schedule a viewing of a house if it appeared to be in poor condition from the outside. A home with appealing curb appeal is more likely to sell quickly. Kids will start to daydream about shooting hoops, barbecuing, and lounging on the patio. Curb appeal is crucial if you want potential buyers to fall in love with your home.
Sixth: Declutter your home.
It’s common knowledge that human beings are hoarders. Yet, you want potential purchasers to focus on your home itself rather than your personal things. Having your house look ready for a new family to move in is a terrific real estate tip since it allows potential buyers to imagine their own belongings already there. To accomplish this, you should adopt a minimalist lifestyle and remove as many of your personal belongings as possible before putting your property up for sale.
You probably have a few staples that you never go a week without using. If at all possible, keep them close at hand but out of sight. Take down the holiday decorations, pack away the extra blankets, and store away the lawn chairs until next year. If you have a lot of stuff that you don’t want to transfer into your new house right away, it can be a good idea to rent a storage unit or an on-site storage container. What matters is how one interprets the situation. Minimal furniture, unpacked closets, attractive artwork, and an absence of surface clutter create an impression of cleanliness, spaciousness, and aesthetic appeal in any home.
Seventh: Home staging.
Staging your property is a must if you want to get top dollar while selling it. Placement of furniture and accent pillows is a crucial staging element. A kitchen or dining room table can also be set. Adding some fresh flowers in vases about the house is also a wonderful touch. Staging a home is done to attract potential buyers by highlighting its positive attributes. All the main areas, including the kitchen, dining room, living room, bathrooms, and master bedroom, should make them feel like they’re right at home.
Eighth: Be presented-ready at all times
In only a few short hours after listing your house, real estate agents may start calling you about interested purchasers who want to come take a look. Keeping your house in “show ready” condition will make fielding such calls much less of a hassle. This, of course, entails doing all you can to maintain a somewhat tidy house. Do a thorough cleaning of the entire house before putting it up for sale.
Vents and ducts need special care, so make sure to remove any dust or debris that may have accumulated in them. Make sure every piece of furniture and piece of art is dusted. Clean the glass surfaces (including the doors) and run the vacuum to revive the carpets.
Next, spray some odor neutralizer about to get rid of any leftover pet odors or last night’s food. If the only thing a client recalls about your property is the sweet aroma of freshly made cookies or fragrant flowers, you have succeeded in making a memorable and favorable impression.
Ninth: Accommodate requests for last-minute showings.
You can’t always expect potential buyers to schedule a viewing of your house at a time that’s convenient for you. Here’s a check-off list to help you quickly tidy up and head out the door.
✔️ Don’t bother washing the dishes; just throw them all in the dishwasher.
✔️ Clean the kitchen and bathroom sinks and counters.
✔️ Cleaning the toilet seats is a must.
✔️ Get all the books and toys and put them in a box.
✔️ Please place any misplaced clothes in the washing basket.
✔️ All closet doors should be shut.
✔️ Don’t let papers or other items pile up on the counter; tuck them away in a drawer or, at the very least, sort them into piles. An organized approach is preferable to a disorganized one.
✔️ The beds should be made.
✔️ Do some sweeping.
✔️ Before you depart, remember to take out the trash and load up the pets.
Tenth: Timely responses to offers are appreciated.
Treat all fair offers with due consideration. You are familiar with the terms and conditions that you are willing to accept, including the fee. The standard response time for contracts is 48 hours, so why keep the other party waiting? As soon as a reasonable offer is made, you should either accept it or make a counteroffer.
It’s not simple to sell your first home. Nevertheless, if you follow these 10 real estate guidelines, starting a new chapter of your life can be just as thrilling as the last.