Congratulations, you are toying with the idea of putting your home on the market. It is a scary, intimidating process and I am here to help ease the “pains” of selling your home. I have helped with the selling of short sales, condos, townhomes, homes, and foreclosures. Any of your real estate needs, I am here to help. I would be more than happy to come to your house and give you a Comparative Market Analysis, and give you a rough estimate of what your home should be listed for.

I have taken the time to list some tips for getting ready to sell your home. Hopefully it helps!

KNOW WHY YOU'RE SELLING

Do you need to sell quickly? If so, it is vital to come up with an attractive asking price, as it is one of the most important steps you can take to market your home successfully.

If time is not of the essence, and maximizing the proceeds from the sale of your home is your top priority, you may want to consider making strategic investments in sprucing it up.  Some basic steps would be redecorating, cosmetic changes, and minor changes.  Intend to get these changes done before you house is put on the market. Statistically, the longer a house sits on the market, the less likely you are to get the best price. Houses sell faster and usually for the best price, when they are priced properly in the beginning. The best times to put your house on the market are spring and fall; that is when buyers start looking for homes.

GIVE YOURSELF ROOM TO NEGOTIATE

Make sure you leave yourself enough room to bargain in your negotiations. Since a prospective buyer is likely to begin negotiations below asking price, be sure your asking price is above the minimum you are willing to accept. A general rule is to set the price at 5%-10% above the estimated market value for your home. This will give you the necessary room to negotiate.

FIND A GOOD REALTOR

A few reasons to use a Realtor:

 • Access to the Multiple Listing Service

 • Expertise in helping set a price

 • Knowledge of what buyers want

 • Expertise in preparing your home to go on the market

 • Expertise in negotiation

 • Knowledge of competition in the local market

 • Access to internet real estate websites

 • Realtors may offer home warranties, which offer buyers peace of mind

Nearly two-thirds of the people who sold their own homes say they would not do it themselves again, according to research from the National Associations of Realtors. Sellers explained difficulty setting a price, reaching prospective buyers, and liability concerns.

GETTING YOUR HOME READY TO GO ON THE MARKET

First impression count, so make sure the first impression the buyer gets is a positive one.

Brighten your home. Consider changing window treatments, if necessary, to let in as much light as possible. A good cleaning or a fresh coat of paint helps brighten rooms greatly. Try to stick with neutral and light colors. Make sure all the light fixtures work in your home and replace any burnt-out bulbs.

Clean like you have never cleaned before. Buyers react to what they see, hear, feel, and smell, so pick up, straighten up, unclutter, scrub, scour, and dust. Make sure your carpets are clean, and if needed, replace old, stained carpet. Be prepared to move furniture around to create the impression of spaciousness. Do not jam your closets or cupboards, as this gives the impression the home does not have enough storage.

Make all needed minor repairs and consider any needed major repairs. Anything, even the insignificant things, needs to be fixed. Try not to put too much money in remodeling, just for the selling of your home, as you may not make the money back. Consider repainting your kitchen cabinets instead of remodeling your kitchen. This is a cost effective attempt at updating your home.

Curb appeal is important. Make your home look as inviting and attractive from the street as possible.  Trim the bushes and any overhanging branches. You do not want your windows blocked by shrubs, either.

There are many more steps a seller can take to ready his/her home for the market. Please feel free to contact me, as I would love to view your home and suggest simple changes to help expedite the selling of your home.