If life does happen, never fear! The following is a guide that will help you when selling a home in any market.
The most important factor in selling a home is Pricing, so the first step should be to contact your real estate professional (me perhaps?). When a Realtor gives you a Market Analysis the A seller should always look at are the comparable properties (comps). The comps that have been selected are usually a good indication of what the market will bear for a seller. The questions you should ask yourself are as follows:
Are the comps in the same or similar area?
- They are useless if they are from a different area/town
When did they sell?
- If they are any older than 6 months, they are too old! The Market is constantly changing and just because your neighbor got $400,000 last year doesn't mean you will.
Are they truly "Comparable"?
- Do the Comps that are being used had the same number of bedrooms, bathrooms, etc? Do they have the same amenities? If they aren't they need to be adjusted. Comps with superior features require are adjusted down in price, while comps with inferior qualities are given value.
Some homes and properties are truly incomparable, they are just so unique that a different valuation methods must be used. In these situations one might consider an appraiser to assess the value of the subject property.
People are always buying and selling regardless of market conditions, but what will set your house apart from other homes on the markets and hook that buyer? Here are some other things to consider:
First Impressions Are Lasting
The first impression (curb appeal) is vital. Your lawn should be trimmed, walkways swept, the front door clean with a doorbell that works.
Decorating For A Quicker Sale
A minor investment in paint and time could pay you dividends in the form of a better price and a quicker sale. It might just be an accent wall, but try to keep the color neutral. If necessary, call a friend with style to have them help you pick out a color or consult your Realtor.
Let The Sun Shine In!
Open the drapes and curtains. Clean the windows so that a prospect can see how bright and cheerful your house is. Dark and dreary rooms do not appeal to most home-buyers.
Don’t Be A Drip
Fix leaky faucets: dripping water suggests faulty or worn-out plumbing (major repair bills). Discolored, rust-stained sinks are also warning signs; they should be properly cleaned and sparkling. My broker would go even one step further and dry all water spots in the sink prior to any showing.
Little Things Mean A Lot.
Loose doorknobs or cabinet pulls, sticking doors and drawers, wobbly hinges, stuck windows – all are negative factors. Take a few minutes to check and repair all these seemingly minor flaws.
Safety First
Keep stairways and corridors clear. Clutter is unattractive and causes accidents.
Top To Bottom
Let prospects see the full value of your storage areas – attics, garages and closets by removing junk and cartons. If you also have an excessive amount of furniture, remove it to make the home appear spacious. Rent a short-term storage unit if necessary.
Clean out the clutter
I do it, you do it, everyone (well, almost everyone) does it, we have areas of clutter. We have areas of our homes that accumulate clutter, places that you dump the toys, magazines, bills, mailing and other items. My suggestion is to box up all those unused clutter items and either store them in the garage or in a storage unit. Have your Realtor or a trusted friend stop by to look at your home, they can point out areas that need to be cleaned up.
Picture this
Take down as many personal photos as you can. Depersonalizing your home is a good way to help Buyers mentally move in.
Bathroom Sell Homes
Make bathrooms sparkle. Clean stained sinks and bowls, repair any damaged or discolored caulking around bathtubs and showers.
Tips when Showing...
Avoid Crowds
Potential buyers will feel like intruders and want to hurry through your home if there are too many people around so take a hike! Send the kids over to the neighbors – take a walk while your house is being shown.
Can You See The Light?
When you turn your lights on in your home, it is a “welcome” sign for every prospect. Turn on all the exterior and interior lights including accent & picture lights.
Silence Is Golden
When showing your house, turn down, or off, radios or television sets. Let the buyers talk freely without having to yell over any noise.
Put Fido Outside
Dog is man’s best friend, but not when showing your house. Keep pets out of the way; not underfoot.
This Is Not A Social Call
Be courteous and friendly, but don’t force conversation with potential buyers. They’re there to inspect your house, not to be social. Let the Realtor do the talking. Remember, the best thing to do is leave the home.
Nor Is It A Garage Sale
Don’t try to sell the potential buyers any of the furniture or furnishings that you don’t want to take with you. They haven’t bought your house yet, and you could ruin the sale. Remember, again, leave the house unless it is not possible.
Trust Azalea Realty To Do It Right
Let your professional Realtor talk to the customer about selling price, terms, possession date and other factors. They have been specially trained and have the experience necessary to bring the negotiations to a satisfactory conclusion.
When the offer comes in it's hard to not to hope for the best, but sometimes the offer is less than what you'd hoped for. It might even be worse: a "low-ball" offer! Sellers will often be insulted by a low ball offer, but this should be viewed as a business transaction. When an offer is less than you'd hoped, you should always Counter offer. Many times the buyer is just trying to see how low you'll go, but fret not! Counter back at terms that are acceptable to you. If that Buyer dries up, there are always more buyers in every market. Always remember this: You are only looking for ONE BUYER! Good Luck selling your home and if you'd like to talk, feel free to call me at 707-616-3456 or email me at andy@azalearealty.com . Happy New Year!
