Facts Every Seller
Should Know
Here are some important facts you should know before selling your home. These tips should
help you avoid making costly mistakes.
Rely on an Experienced Seller's Agent. Surveys
show that people who sell their homes themselves often net less from sales than sellers
who use an experienced Seller's Agent. In addition to providing a wide range of services,
a Seller's Agent can save you money by using years of successful negotiating experience on
your behalf.
Pricing the Home Correctly. The pricing of your home will strongly influence
how long your home is on the market. If you set a price that is too high and your home has
been on the market too long, then home buyers assume that something is wrong with your
home or your price and you will usually receive less than what you would have received if
you had priced it correctly to begin with. Approximately 80 percent of your showings will
be during the first three weeks on the market. Don't miss those buyers who think they
cannot afford your home.
Improvements to Make Before Selling. While it is important to present your
home in the best possible condition, undertaking the wrong kind of upgrades will cost you
money that you may not be able to recoup from the sale of your home. Painting, replacing
carpet (if needed), and updating kitchen and baths are a few things you should be able to
recoup.
Staging Your Home For the
Buyer. The first impression is the most important one so make sure it is favorable.
Your home should be clean and free of clutter. Start packing things that you don't need.
This will allow the buyer to visualize their things inside your home. The outside of your
home is as important to keep up as the inside. Be sure your home looks inviting and well
cared for from the street. If you are competing with another home, most likely the one
that is the neatest and cleanest will get the offer.
Do Not Bypass the First Offer
Without Serious Consideration. Frequently, sellers reject any first offer, believing
that subsequent offers are bound to be higher. However, experience shows that the first
offer can often be the best. This is especially true if the buyer making the offer has
already looked at numerous homes on the market. So, if at all possible, consider the offer
and see if you can make it work.
