Top 10 Selling Tips

1. Clean Up The Outside

Never underestimate the first impression your home marks. Contrary to popular belief the first thing people will notice about your home is actually the outside. Keep your front and back lawn trimmed and neat. You should also keep the exterior of the house clean and repair the gutter, chimney and roof before selling a home.

2. Clean Up The Inside

Get started by getting rid of the clutter. It also helps to keep the interior walls a neutral color such as an off-white. This appeals to buyers and also makes a room look cleaner and more spacious. You should repair any holes in your walls or ceilings, clean up your carpets, and wash down your tiles and wooden floors. Also repair any plumbing problems. Your house must have no leaks.

3. Get Professional Advice

The best people to ask about the real estate market in your area is a trained real estate adviser. Find an agent that you are comfortable with and you are sure is on your side. Having them is among the best decisions you can make when trying to sell a home.

4. The Smell

If your house smells it’s going to scare away a buyer. Get rid of any cigarette or pet odors. Consider buying an air filter to help remove these smells for you. Getting a HEPA or an ionic filter can get rid of smells and clean up the air. Also generate some good smells by buying some potpourri or doing some baking on the day a potential buyer stops by. Who doesn’t love the smell of freshly baked cookies?

5. Have a Home Inspection Done

A licensed home inspector will be able to tell you what repairs you need to make before trying to sell your home. A home inspection also lets you set a good price for your home and bring any potential safety issues to your attention. This could be problems like asbestos, radon or mold. You also receive an inspection report that you can show a potential buyer to alleviate their concerns and even remove the need for them to have the home inspected.

6. Be Reasonable With The Price

You should have your agent perform a Current Market Analysis (CMA). It analyses the selling prices of homes that have been sold in your neighborhood that are similar to yours. There are other factors that go into setting a price too. Think about the location of your home, any special features it has (central heating or a pool), schools in your area and the economic situation of where you live.

7. Timing is Everything

One thing to remember is that the longer your home sits on the market the less likely it is to sell. The best time to list your home is during the spring or the fall. This is when home buyers are typically looking for a house. The market is slowest during mid-summer and mid-winter so avoid trying to sell then. The longer your home sits on the market the more expenses build up too. Get it sold quick by listing it at the right time.

8. Market your Home

You need to market your home. Here are some things you absolutely have to do when marketing your home either offline or online. You need to have a thorough description of your home that is short and to the point. You should also use a lot of photos to showcase your home so people can see it for themselves. Show off your home and not the things inside it.

9. Set The Stage

A real estate agent may know a lot about selling and closing but they don’t always know a lot about design. It can be difficult to get a home ready to sell without bringing in some professional assistance. You should consult a professional home stager. These are people who are great at preparing your home and getting it ready to be resold. They get rid of the clutter in your home, rearrange the furniture, and can even help you improve the curbside appeal of your home. When you bring in a home stager you create the perfect first impression for your home.

10. Get Out The Way

When an agent is showcasing your home to a potential buyer or opening the house up for you then get out of the way. This way a buyer can evaluate your home without running the risk of offending you. They can be honest about how they feel and come to a proper decision. It also stops you from worrying about (and actually hearing) how people feel about your home. When you stick around you just chase off potential buyers.