The top selling months of the year are right around the corner. Spring may well be when a young man’s fancy turns lightly to thoughts of love, but it is also the time when many families’ minds turn to buying and selling homes. If you are looking at selling your property this year you will likely want to get that house on the market as soon as possible. And if your neighbor or a house down the street that is comparable to yours is selling as well, you’re going to need to do everything you can to not only get the best price but get more than they are getting for their home.
That is the goal, after all. To get as much money as you can for your home but by selling it within the shortest time frame as is possible. The following tips should assist you in your endeavor.
Property Marketing is Key
Making sure that the marketing of your home is done correctly is a key factor here. What an effective marketing strategy isn’t, however, is simply placing your house on the MLS and letting it get picked up by thousands of other websites. Selling a home takes hard work and proven prospecting techniques. Sitting around waiting for the phone to ring isn’t going to work.
Hire a Reputable, Local Realtor
This step may seem like a no-brainer but you would be surprised at how many people decide to sell their homes by themselves, without any help from a realtor. Can it be done? Of course. Technically, that’s more money in your pocket. But the small cost of a realtor’s commission can be well worth it. Let the realtor deal with the headaches, the haggling, the questions, the marketing, the videos, the photography, the legalities, and so forth. You have enough to worry about with moving your entire household to a new location.
Allow the Buyers to Sell Themselves
Given the right motivation, many buyers can sell themselves on the purchase of your home. High-pressure sales techniques may work on the car lot but this is no way to sell a home. A good approach is to inquire of a buyer exactly what it is they are looking for in a home. This will start the ball rolling.
The Price Is Right
This is a dicey little area. Ask too much, and you not only ruin the value of your home but you may attract the wrong kind of real estate agent with that inflated price. Then again, you don’t want to give your house away and not make top dollar from the sale of it. An attractive price will motivate a buyer. Once again, a reputable real estate agent comes in very handy here as they will be able to take a look at comparable homes in the area and tell you straight out whether or not you’re asking price is appropriate for the market.
Is Your House Ready to Sell?
Inasmuch as buyers may sell themselves on your home, your home (if done right) can go a long way toward selling itself. Your house must be ready for its close-up and be at its most presentable for every showing. Note: relying on a picture taken with an iPhone may not be the most flattering. There’s still nothing like using a real camera to take professional grade photos and videos.
Make Whatever Adjustments Are Necessary
Nothing here is carved in stone other than your contract. Adjustments might need to be made. To increase the value of your home, low-cost but exceptional home improvements can be made. If you’re asking for a substantial price, the entire house better look like it’s worth it, and then some. See what your neighbor’s home sold for and if they didn’t get the price they were asking, figure out why. Make sure that the weak points that undersold their homes don’t have the same effect on yours.
And finally – Just as important as the right reputable realtor is the follow-up. And since you have put so much thought and care into picking your realtor, this will hopefully not be a problem. A good realtor will do the necessary follow-up with either the buyer’s agent or the buyers themselves. If you get a chance to talk to the prospective buyer do not take anything they may say personally. Don’t be angry, don’t be rude, simply inquire as to any constructive feedback they may have.
