I've known home sellers who had regrets after selling their homes, and I'd like to help you avoid them by sharing some tips. Whether you're thinking about selling your home or you've already talked to a real estate agent about listing it, consider these helpful tips.
- Preparation
- Hiring an Agent
- Upgrades
- Asking Price
- Photos
- Curb Appeal
- Homeowners Insurance
Prepping Your Home
If you've ever sold a house, you know that there's a lot of preparation involved. Some home sellers had regretted not moving more belongings out of their homes when it came time to sell. They witnessed potential homebuyers concerned about lack of space when that wasn't the real problem. Moving everything out but a few pieces of furniture and an area rug or staging the house could have brought them more positive feedback and offers.
We grow attached to our belongings, but homebuyers need to see rooms clear of personal effects and clutter. You want the potential buyers to envision themselves living in your home, and that's easier when there is limited furniture and knickknacks.
Decluttering and cleaning should be at the top of the list when preparing to sell your home. When you declutter, remove as much from your home as possible. Do you need four casserole dishes? Keep just one. Are your closets overflowing? Aim for half-full closets. When potential buyers open cabinets and closets, they should be left feeling like there's plenty of space for their belongings vs. worrying there isn't enough storage.
When selling your home, make sure you deep clean each room. This means steam cleaning the carpets and area rugs or having them professionally cleaned. Wipe down doors and handles. Clean the windows, inside and out. Take books off of bookshelves and dust every surface and corner (pack most of the books for storage). Consider hiring a professional cleaning service to remove the stress of doing everything yourself.
Hiring a Real Estate Agent
Can you sell your home on your own? Of course, but an experienced real estate agent can make all the difference in seamlessly executing the sale of your home and getting you the highest offer. Real estate agents can provide tips to help you get your home ready for today's market. They explain the piles of paperwork, coordinate with other professionals like inspectors, organize the closing, help you relocate with less hassle, and so much more. Consider interviewing 2-3 real estate agents before choosing the best one for your needs.
Upgrade Cautiously
Many sellers regret spending tens of thousands of dollars upgrading their homes because they don't make money back when they sell their homes. For example, remodeling a bathroom to match your personal taste may be a turnoff for potential buyers, resulting in less interest and fewer offers. On the other hand, remodeling with a neutral, contemporary palette may garner more buyer interest and a higher sales price. Talk to your real estate agent before you upgrade your home. You could save a lot of money and hassle.
Expecting Asking Price
When selling your home, it's disappointing not to get the asking price. Your real estate agent is your best resource for determining the best selling price for your home. Just because your neighbor's house sold for $650,000 doesn't mean yours will sell for that much. There are a lot of factors to consider when pricing a home, including the following: age of your home; number of bedrooms and bathrooms; square footage; upgrades; the size of property; landscaping; etc.
Once the selling price of your property is determined, that doesn't mean you're going to get a buyer to purchase it for that amount of money. If it's a seller's market, you'll have a higher chance of getting the asking price or possibly more. In a buyer's market, your chances of getting the full asking price may not be as high. Talk to your real estate agent to determine the true value of your property.
Photos
When selling your home, have a professional take the photos. Sure an iPhone photo will suffice for a social media post, but for the MLS, you want the highest quality photos of your home. Quality photos will engage more potential buyers and get them to your home for a showing. Poor quality photos will steer buyers away from your home. Your real estate agent likely works with a professional photographer who knows how to get the best pictures of your house. They may encourage a 3-D video tour of your home too.
Curb Appeal
Speaking of photos, the outside of your home needs to make an unforgettable first impression on buyers. When the exterior photos reflect a manicured lawn, a newly painted house, and trimmed trees and shrubs, potential buyers will notice.
Homeowners Insurance
When selling your home, it's important to have homeowners insurance. Homeowners insurance will protect you if something happens to your house, like damage from a fire, before closing.
Homeowners insurance also covers belongings and personal liability from injuries that occur on your property. For example, if a buyer was viewing your house and slipped and fell on the pool deck, your insurance would protect you if you were sued. Talk to your lender or real estate agent about the type of homeowners insurance you will need when selling your house.
Conclusion
By following the advice in this article, you will experience a better home-selling experience. Remember to consult with a real estate agent when considering selling your home. The advice they give you can save you thousands of dollars and take the guesswork out of selling.
