Seller Tips
You’ve probably heard lots of advice from your friends, family, and neighbors about selling your home: but how do you know what will really work? With a challenging 2023 market, persistent high interest rates, and local market conditions based on your city and neighborhood, it’s easy to get lost in the barrage of advice and tips for selling your home.
Work with a top agent
Working with a top agent is the single most beneficial thing a seller can do. A top agent will walk you through every step of the selling process, from making upgrades and listing to showing the home and comparing offers.
What’s more, in a challenging market, experienced agents (who have likely been through this before) know what works and what doesn’t. While record-low inventory is tipping the scales toward sellers in many parts of the country, home affordability has taken a hit due to higher mortgage rates, so buyers are being more selective with their purchasing decisions, according to HomeLight’s Top Agent Insights Report from Summer 2023.
This is a seller’s market in that demand far exceeds supply, but with strong buyer’s market characteristics, “Sweet spot" homes go quickly with multiple offers, while homes requiring updates or having any issues stay on the market longer.
Clean, repair, and upgrade
Before you list your house, you’ll want to make sure that it’s in the condition that buyers are expecting, which will depend on your local market.
For example, in seller’s markets with low inventories, buyers will be more likely to look the other way when it comes to certain fixes. But if inventory is higher, buyers will have more choosing power and might expect a house that’s up to snuff.
Staging, new paint, and decluttering offer more than an increase in price. It determines how desirable the home is to the market, how many offers it gets, and how fast it sells.
Deep cleaning
Regardless of what kind of market you’re in, buyers want a clean home. Make sure your house is spotless before you put it on the market or take any photos. If you’re not confident in your cleaning ability, hire a professional cleaner to come in and do a move-out deep clean.
Repairs
I can help you determine what repairs are necessary before the sale. For example, in a market with a healthy amount of inventory, buyers will likely expect some basic necessities, like a roof that doesn’t leak and an HVAC system that is up-to-date and runs smoothly.
You may also consider getting a pre-listing inspection. During a pre-listing inspection, an inspector comes through your home and determines any problem points. If you don’t fix these problems, you could risk a low appraisal or not passing the buyer’s inspection — two things that have the potential to tank your sale.
Easy upgrades
I might also suggest some light upgrades you can make around the house, such as a fresh coat of paint inside or outside, or ripping up tired carpeting. These easy projects usually have a good return on investment in the home sale.
Larger projects, such as remodeling a bathroom or kitchen, will usually not get you as much money back in your final sale. If you’re in a seller’s market, many buyers won’t expect every room to be perfect — just clean and generally up-to-date.
Boost curb appeal
Curb appeal will always be a driving factor in home sales. You want to make a good first impression on your buyers when they drive up to see your home.
“The first few seconds of visualization of the house sets the tone for the buyer,” says Steve Bacardi, top real estate agent in Naples, Florida. “Poor landscaping and dead grass sets connotation for viewing of home. Inside the home could be spectacular, but if curb appeal isn’t good, it won’t matter.”
Powerwash or repaint as necessary
In addition to giving the exterior of your home a fresh coat of paint, you might want to powerwash it. Dirt can build up on your window panes and in the grooves of your siding, and while you may be used to it, buyers with fresh eyes will notice. You can hire a professional if you’re not comfortable with power washers and ladders.
Landscaping
Landscaping might seem like nothing but heavy-lift projects, but there are plenty of quick fixes you can make. If your plants or shrubbery have overgrown, make sure to cut them back for a more neat look. You can also re-mulch your flower beds or gardens to make everything look fresh. Plant seasonal flowers and greenery that will give a pop of color to your home without adding too much maintenance for new buyers.
Feature or create useable outdoor space
If you have a patio or a deck, make sure it’s clean and staged with the proper outdoor furniture. If you don’t have a patio or deck, you can put the furniture right in your yard and even put up a pergola if you don’t want to commit to building an outdoor feature.
Preparing for marketing
Before you list your home, you’ll want to make sure it’s ready for its close-up. You’ve already cleaned and upgraded your home, so now comes the final touches.
Depersonalize
Make sure to take down any personal items, such as family photos, trophies, or memorabilia. Buyers want to imagine themselves in the home, and it will be hard to do so when they see your stuff everywhere.
Stage
I know a stager who can make your house shine. Often, they’ll be able to use some of your furniture, but be prepared to put a lot of stuff in storage for the remainder of the home sale.
Photos
Professional listing photos are a must. Work with an agent-recommended photographer once your home is staged. Or, if you don’t have time to stage the home, work with a photographer who can utilize virtual staging.
Price correctly
Pricing your home is a complicated process, and an incredibly important one. Pricing wrong could mean leaving money on the table or a longer home sale. A great place to start is with an estimate of your home’s value from HomeLight’s Home Value Estimator tool.
We will know how to price your home properly by using a comparative market analysis (CMA). In a CMA, I find homes similar to yours in your area that have recently sold. I use the sales prices to determine the best sales price for you.
In a seller’s market, when inventory is low and buyers have fewer choices, you can typically price your home higher. But in a buyer’s market, when inventory is high and buyers have more power, you’ll want to price your home more competitively. This is especially important to limit the number of days your house spends on the market; houses that have been sitting for sale for a while can turn off buyers, who may suspect the home is either overpriced or in need of significant work.
You can contact me at any time with any questions.
(909) 802-3192