Selling your home is a big deal, and while there's a lot that your real estate agent will do for you, you also have an essential part to play in the process of selling your home for a new one. A seller needs to make the house as attractive as possible when putting it up for sale. Here are the ways to prepare your home for sale:
Look at the house from a stranger's viewpoint
The advantage of viewing your property from a prospective buyer's perspective is that it enables you to identify some defects that could prevent potential buyers from initiating the sale process. Taking an unbiased and unemotional look at your home will help you see things in a better light. Better still, you can ask your friend or real estate agent to examine your home and give you an honest opinion about the state of the residence. And, try to amend whatever they pointed out as a defect.
Remove pets from the house
Pets are good to have in a home, but not all buyers like the idea of buying a home with pets around. Some buyers may not want to see pets around, especially if they are allergic to them. Therefore, it is advisable to remove all pets from the house. And have a non-pet owner give your home the "sniff test" to make sure the pet odors are gone too.
Make Improvement before selling
Nothing discourages buyers more than a property that is poorly maintained. Not only that, such houses attract lower offers. Prospective buyers will not be willing to buy a house for top dollar that requires extra costs for repairs and improvements. Therefore, an excellent way to increase the value of your home is to improve it before putting it up for sale. However, you should not overspend on home improvements, or the expenses will eat into your profits when selling. Your agent is an excellent resource for pointing out which upgrades are worth the money spent.
Spread the word
Below are ways that you can market your home by yourself and with the help of your real estate agent.
- Pay for ad space in local directories
- Word of mouth to friends and family
- Multiple Listing Services through your agent
- Speak to your realtor about creating a Virtual Tour
- Plan an open house to allow prospective buyers to see the house themselves
If you plan to place your home up for sale, consider the ideas above to ensure a fast sale. Most of all, follow your agent's advice on marketing trends that work best in your market.
About the Author
Maureen Citarella
Hi, I'm Maureen Citarella and I'd love to assist you. Whether you're in the research phase at the beginning of your real estate search or you know exactly what you're looking for, you'll benefit from having a real estate professional by your side. I'd be honored to put my real estate experience to work for you.
