If you’re a first-time home seller and have never sold a home before, it can be very overwhelming. And if you don’t cover all of your bases, you could end up leaving money on the table.
That would be a big mistake. But with these tips for first-time home sellers, you can be sure to check all the boxes and get the most out of the sale of your home.
Figure Out the Best Time to Sell
You want to get the maximum value for your home, so figuring out the best time of the year to sell is going to be key in achieving that goal. You want to put your house on the market when you’ll have the most buyers ready to buy. In many areas this is Spring or Summer while the kids are not in school. Your REALTOR will know exactly when the best time is for your area.
Complete Home Repairs
Now is the time to complete any home repairs you can. Buyers want a house they can move in and start living in right away. They don’t want to purchase a home that comes with a bunch of work as soon as they move in. Anything you can repair now will help you sell your home faster and for a higher price.
Deep Clean Your Home
You want your house to look (and smell) it’s best when you start to show it to potential buyers. Potential buyers want a home they don’t have to spend a ton of time cleaning when they move in. Go through each room and do a deep clean. This may look like steam cleaning carpets, washing (or painting) walls, cleaning areas that don’t get regular cleaning, decluttering, etc.
Hire a REALTOR
You want a professional helping you sell your home. This will ensure you get the most money for your home as well as a quicker sale. REALTORs know exactly how to market your home for the highest impact. They will also walk you through all of the paperwork and make sure you don’t miss anything in the process.
Price Your Home Right
Pricing your home properly is extremely important and an area many home sellers get wrong. Most sellers think their home is more valuable than it is. After all, you’ve put a lot of work into your home over the years. But pricing your home too high will deter potential buyers from even looking at it. Work with your REALTOR to set the perfect price.
Stage Your Home
Make sure you stage your home before showings and open houses. This ensures your home looks more like a model home than your personal home. It also optimizes the way each room in your home looks to a potential buyer. Remove anything personal from your home, declutter each room, and adjust furniture to help your potential buyers see themselves living in the home one day.
Get Professional Photos
Photos are the first thing a potential buyer will see before deciding whether or not to schedule a showing. Professional photos will draw in potential buyers much better than photos you take yourself. If the photos of your home don’t show it’s best assets in the best light, etc. you will lost people before they even see the house in person.
Choose a Marketing Strategy with Your REALTOR
Your REALTOR is a pro at marketing homes. Work with him or her on the best marketing strategy for your particular home. This will include advertising, home showings, and open houses.
Be Flexible
You’ll want to be flexible in showing your home and with open houses. The idea is to get the most people into your home. The more flexible you can be, the more people will come into your home to see it and potentially buy it.
Be Swift with Responding to Offers
When an offer comes in, make sure you respond as quickly as possible to ensure the buyer does not change his or her mi
When an offer comes in, make sure you respond as quickly as possible to ensure the buyer does not change his or her mind. If you’re happy with the offer, accept it and move onto the next step. If you’re not happy with the offer, make a counteroffer right away to keep the buyer interested.
Being a first-time home seller can be a little overwhelming, but with the right plan and the right REALTOR, you will sell your home quickly and for an amazing price.