There are a handful of subtle things you sell your home. Many tasks can have a tremendous impact on your bottom line. Even in a seller’s market, it is not enough to list your home and wait for the offers to roll in. If you overplay your hand, buyers will move on to the next property. Doing excellent rehab work or making appropriate upgrades is not enough. Always present your property in the best possible light. Here are four things to consider if you are selling your home:
There are a lot of great real estate agents out there. It is imperative that you find the agent best for you. Remember the best buyer’s agent is probably not the best listing agent; do your homework. Additionally, an agent in a different market will not be as knowledgeable about your market. Looking for a listing agent is like hiring a new team lead. Make them interview and impress. Ask them how well they know the area and how they intend to market the property. The commission is always important but may not be the most critical factor. The goal is to get the property sold at the highest price. If you have to pay an extra half a point commission to get that done, it will be worth it in the long run.
You should be able to feel if you and your agent are a good fit after talking with him or her a few times. You and your agent will communicate dozens of times throughout the entirety of your transaction, so it is vital that you are comfortable with whomever you hire.
One of the most important things you can do to procure a quick sale is list at the right price. The right price will help you sell quickly, and obtain for maximum value. Buyers and real estate agents are often influenced by the initial listing price. By pricing higher than the market suggests you run the risk of losing interest quickly. Instead of generating a buzz and creating a multiple offer situation, your property will most likely sit vacant while cheaper houses sell.
With a too high list price, you will get much fewer viewings and eventually have the “price improvement” conversation. If you do lower the price, it can be viewed as a sign of desperation, and you can expect below-asking price offers to follow. Conversely, if you hold at the too-high price, weeks or months may pass before you have a showing let alone a buyer. The best option is to list at the right price from the start, which keeps your property top-of-mind with agents and buyers.
Listing at the right price is critical, but it is not the only factor that lands you a firm offer. When listing your home, you should put yourself in the buyer’s shoes. Walk the property through their eyes. Whatever your first impression of the property is, the odds are, it will be the same for potential buyers. Start with the exterior of the home. For as long as your house is on the market, you need to update the grass and landscaping regularly. You can’t have overgrown shrubs or brown grass. The moment a person steps inside the property, the first impression needs to be strong. Avoid cooking strong smelling foods the night before you have a morning showing. Masking the smell of a fish dinner is tough.
If the house is vacant, it helps to stay on top of the internal temperature. With the weather warming, the house shouldn’t be too hot. Having a strong heat hit your buyer as soon as they open the door will having them speeding in and out of the showing. First impressions are crucial with everyone; buyers included. Make sure the property is close to perfect every time you show it.
It is important not to be tempted to take the first or highest offer. Price will always be a strong consideration, but there is more to an offer. You should check out the financing, closing date, and contingencies. If you accept an offer that ultimately doesn’t close will force you to start the process all over again. There is no guarantee that buyers that were interested in your property weeks ago will still be around. Review all of the pre-qualification letters with your agent. Be aware of the type of loan they submit and the down payment. From there, you should review the contract line by line. Are they asking for contingencies that are excessive or unreasonable? Are they looking for a creditor to keep certain items in the property?
If the buyer is difficult when submitting an offer, odds are, they will be throughout the process. Only you, as the seller, knows what the final number is that you will accept. The right offer is usually the one that ends up closing in the easiest possible manner.
Selling your property can be confusing and overwhelming at times, additionally, real estate markets change all the time. It is essential to do everything right to get the highest possible price.
What do you think are some good tips to share?