For many people considering selling a home, the process can seem daunting. How do you make your home look like the best option available on the market? Here are a few tips that can help you make the most of the sale of your home.
- Find a broker that's right for you. For many people, selling a home is the largest financial transaction they undertake; it's important to hire a professional you're comfortable with and feel will act in your best interests.
- Have a pre-listing inspection. This simple step, completed before you you're your home, gives you an outsider's point-of-view about your home. Additionally, it can help you set your selling price, and identify any repairs that need to be done before you list your home. Make sure your inspector is licensed and insured, and include a copy of the inspection report, along with receipts for any repairs, with the home's disclosure statement.
- Focus on curb appeal. First impressions count – keep up your home's appearance, inside and out, presenting the great features of your home. Consider a few extra efforts that can go a long way towards selling your home, like painting the most-used areas of the home, de-cluttering, and replacing any worn-looking or leaking plumbing fixtures.
- Get rid of the bad smells. If you have pets, or a smoker in the house, these odors could make a difference in a buyer's interest. Try odor neutralizers, or potpourri; if you're holding an open house, pop a batch of cookies or even a frozen pie in the oven for a “homey” aroma.
- Price it right. It's always tempting to add a healthy markup to the price you paid for your home, and call that your selling price. That strategy doesn't necessarily reflect your home's true market value. Ask your realtor to conduct a comparative market analysis; this report shows the prices that comparable homes in your neighborhood recently sold for, how long they were on the market, and the current inventory of comparable homes currently for sale.