12 Truths About Selling Your Home
Market knowledge– Do you know what your local market is doing? Are home prices going up or down? Is it a seller's market or buyer's market? If you don't know, work with a real agent who does.
A clean home sells – Every hour you spend cleaning and decluttering your home with pay you back many times over! Buyers want to envision themselves living in your house. Make sure they have a good first impression.
The price must be right– Price your home right from the very beginning. Real estate agents use comparative market analysis to determine what similar properties are selling for. If you want to sell quickly, you may need to set the price a little lower than comparables.
Fix your repairs Buyers will use anything they can to try and get you to lower your asking price. Fix your home repairs ahead of time so they can't use that as a bargaining tool.
Overpriced homes don't sell – Buyers are smart! They know what your home is really worth based on comparables. Overprice your house, and it will stay on the market.
Buyers use a home inspection as a negotiation tool – Be prepared for the buyers to try and renegotiate the purchase price based on what's found in the home inspection. This is usually the only opportunity the buyer has to get out the contract if they find something they don't like. Your real estate agent can help you negotiate the details.
Stinky homes don't sell – Neutralize the smell of your home by doing a deep cleaning. Try to avoid cooking anything that will leave an unpleasant smell in your home for the showing later that afternoon. If you have pets or smoke, consider getting your carpets professionally cleaned.
Well maintained homes sell for more money – Buyers feel a sense of security when the house appears to have been well maintained. Homes that haven't been maintained give buyers the impression that they will need to do a lot of work upfront and also sends up red flags that there may be other issues.
Respond promptly – Respond quickly to your real estate agent or the buyers real estate agent. Buyers can get impatient waiting on your response to an offer and may rescind.
Remove your personality from the house – It's important that buyers can see themselves living in your house. So that means, you need to neutralize your house. It's rare that the buyers will have the same taste as you. Work with your real estate agent on home staging suggestions.
Photographs sell homes – Many buyers have already "bought" your house online before they actually see it in person. Pictures are crucial in selling your home. Make sure your real estate agent takes great pictures, or hires a professional.
Not disclosing a known defect is illegal – Sellers are required to provide a "closing disclosure" to buyers. If the sellers hide or lie about a known defect, they can be sued.
For other tips on selling, check out the following blog by Lynn Pineda http://imagineyourhouse.com/seller/20-cold-hard-facts-real-estate-home-selling/