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Selling Your Home Today - Seven Secrets for Selling Faster and Better

If you are contemplating putting your home on the market this spring, here are a few tips to help with your planning.

Selling Secret #7: Price and market your home correctly.

Interview Realtors and listen carefully to what they say. Check their price recommendation with other comparable properties in the area, to make sure that your house is being priced appropriately; if it is too high, other Realtors may hesitate to show it.

Generally speaking, listings are at their hottest during the initial months on the market so you want to be priced correctly from the start. Also ask what your Realtor’s plan will be for marketing your home: Will they place it in the Multiple Listing Service right away or not? Will they try to generate traffic by running ads and other techniques? Is your Realtor accessible? Do they encourage other Realtors to show their listings (and vice versa) to give your home the maximum exposure possible?

Selling Secret #6: Be realistic about your view and the condition of your property.

You may want to ask an unbiased third party to audit your property with "fresh eyes." Those cracks in the driveway that have crept up over time will be noticed by a first-time viewer, but may have fallen into your blind zone since you see them everyday.

Also, do not make the mistake of assuming that a great view alone will sell a poorly maintained property. For example, all of the homes on Dataw have beautiful views, and while that is a distinct selling advantage for the community as a whole, it means that individual sellers must pay careful attention to the appearance and condition of their homes to be competitive. It is harder to stand out among the crowd when you're surrounded by beauty.

Selling Secret #5: Another mistake sellers make is overestimating the appreciation of their properties.

Today’s market is a buyer’s market, which means the idea of owning a home and selling it for a vastly appreciated sum does not apply. When pricing your home, consider things like if the community has high speed fiber optics, the community amenities, and accessibility to things like cultural events and healthcare. Why? Because buyers will compare these things across communities.

Selling Secret #4: Are you really ready to sell?

Think long and hard about it. Don’t just put your home on the market at an inflated price just to “see what happens.” Consider how long you’re willing to put up with the inconvenience of showings versus selling more rapidly, as well as the costs associated with staying in your home longer.

Selling Secret #3: Clear the Clutter.

You might have enjoyed an “overstuffed” house, but potential buyers simply cannot get past all your things to imagine themselves living there. Put excess items in storage, toss or donate them, or have the kids come and get them. Remove all but a few family photos, memorabilia, collections and personal keepsakes. Arrange your furniture to best showcase the floor plan and maximize the use of space, eliminating unnecessary pieces. Take down dated window treatments (such as valences) that block light. This is called staging, and it’s important.

Selling Secret #2: The kitchen comes first.

The benefits of remodeling your kitchen are endless, and the best part of it is that you’ll probably get 85% of your money back. It may be a few thousand dollars to replace countertops where a buyer may knock $10,000 off the asking price if your kitchen looks dated. The fastest, most inexpensive kitchen updates include painting and new cabinet hardware. Use neutral color paint so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can start envisioning their own style. If you have a little money to spend, buy one fancy stainless steel appliance. Why one? Because when people see even just one high-end appliance it elevates their perception of the quality of the kitchen.

Selling Secret #1: The first impression is the only impression.

Sound familiar? No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. If you live in an community with many similar homes, beautiful landscaping can help distinguish your house from other similar models. And we’re not talking about just putting out a few flowers; there are many talented landscape designers around who can do something really unique and wonderful for you. Outdoor living spaces such as decks and fire pits are big enhancements that today’s buyers love. Landscaping can give a dated home instant charm. Remember, you can typically get a 100-percent return on the money you put into your home’s curb appeal.