Tips for Getting the Most From Your Home Sale
Are you getting ready to sell your house? It can be an exciting time! You’re probably moving to a new home while looking back on the memories you created in the old one.
While much of your focus might be on moving to your new home, you need to take your time while selling the old one. Being in a rush or failing to handle a few simple matters can make a big difference in the price.
But what can you do to sell your house faster and for a higher price? This post will explore tips to help homeowners get the most from their home sales.
Take Care of the Yard
You probably spent a lot of time cultivating a lush, green lawn while you lived in your home. As you’re getting ready to move, it might be tempting to let it slip a little. That would be a mistake. The front of the house is the first thing a buyer will see when they arrive. You want the yard to look nice and well-maintained.
Continue your schedule for cutting the grass. Beyond that, tidy up any flower beds and trim shrubs and bushes. You might even want to consider edging around the yard to give it a neater appearance. Tasks like cleaning the concrete on walkways and patios can also go a long way.
Do a Deep Cleaning of the Interior
Having a clean home is probably obvious for sellers. You don’t want buyers to tour a messy or dirty house. However, you should do more than the basic home cleaning. Make sure the home is organized and orderly. If you have a lot of excess knickknacks or items, put them away or in storage.
It is a good idea to take rooms one at a time and get all the places you might not clean regularly. Move your furniture and appliances to clean under and behind them. If you have carpets, consider having them professionally cleaned. You should also wash all the windows and screens.
Consider Minor Upgrades
Some updates and upgrades can do a lot to help you sell your home for more. Upgrades like a full kitchen renovation wouldn’t be cost-effective, but there are many minor updates and upgrades you could make. We’re talking about little things that can deliver a good return without costing too much or requiring a lot of time.
You might not want a complete kitchen renovation, but you could replace the hardware on drawers and cabinets. Updating the light fixtures to ones that look newer or offer better lighting could help. A new coat of paint in some areas could also make the house more attractive.
Tackle the Simple Repairs
It is also a good idea to take care of basic repairs. You might not want to do anything major, but some small things can help you get more from your home. For example, repair any dents, scuffs, or holes in drywall. If you have a doorknob that is loose or jiggles, take the time to tighten it. Fix windows or doors that may stick when they open or close. It is also a good idea to go around the house to replace any dead lightbulbs.
Set a Fair Price
Many sellers make mistakes when setting the list price. They either overvalue the home and drive away buyers or undervalue the house and leave money on the table. Take the time to research the value of your home. Look for similar homes that recently sold in your area to get an idea of their price. Research the local market to learn about pricing trends.
When asking the Reynolds EmpowerHome Team (Real Estate Agents Northern Virginia), they said, “So many sellers want to set the price of their home too high. While it is understandable that you want to get as much as possible, a high list price will make it hard to sell. It may even lead to a lower sale price when you do finally adjust.”
Remove Personal Items
Sellers should also remove as much of their personal stuff as possible. When buyers come to tour the house, you want them to be able to picture themselves living there. One way to help them do that is by removing your personal items. Take down your family photos and anything that makes the home identifiable as yours. Find somewhere to store it so you can create the blank canvas homebuyers look for.
Arrange a Pre-Listing Inspection
The buyer will probably hire an inspector when they are doing due diligence. However, you might want to consider arranging a pre-listing inspection. The inspector can catch any issues that may be a problem for the sale. That way, you can either address the issues before listing or account for them in the price.
Having a pre-listing inspection can help you avoid any surprises when the buyer hires an inspector. You can also use the inspection report as a selling point for potential buyers. When they see you’ve already had an inspection, it will reassure them that they won’t have any issues after making an offer.
The final tip is to hire a local real estate agent. They can help sellers with many of the points mentioned in the article. An agent can also help you create a better home listing and determine an attractive price. They can also help you negotiate when it comes time to take offers from buyers.