Even in a seller’s market, when inventory is scarce and buyers are plentiful, it still pays to invest some time and energy in positioning your home to sell for top dollar!
A good agent can help you sell your home faster and for a higher price than going it alone. Think you’re saving money by selling it yourself? Data from the National Association of Real Estate Agent shows that between July 2022 and June 2023, homes listed without the assistance of a real estate agent sold for a median price of $310,000, while those sold with one fetched a median of $405,000! That’s a difference of almost $100,000!!!!
Renovated kitchens and baths are the ‘money rooms.’ Minor kitchen upgrades like a fresh coat of paint, updating fixtures & hardware, resurfacing cabinets & replacing countertops usually bring a good return on investment. Your real estate agent can advise you on changes you can make that reap a good return on any investment.
As the saying goes, you don’t get a second chance to make a good first impression! Make sure your front yard is free of debris, the grass has been cut and the shrubs are pruned. Adding fresh mulch can make a huge difference in how the yard looks! Freshen up the front door, add some bright potted plants by the door (maybe window flower boxes), install a new mailbox if needed.
There is a downside to having an inspection before listing because once the defect is known to you, you are obligated to disclose it and/or repair it. However, it’s better for YOU to find the problems than have the buyer’s home inspector find them! A good agent can help you decide which repairs to make and which ones aren’t likely to affect the sale.
Staging your home may sound daunting, but it can be a very simple thing. Moving a few pieces of furniture around, adding a new rug or throw pillows can make an astonishing difference. Follow your agent’s advice on how much staging needs to be done.
The goal of any showing is for the buyer to envision their own belongings in the space. So, while family photos and other items may seem like thay have no impact on how much your home brings, they really do matter. If buyers are distracted by personal items, they won’t be able to see themselves living in the space and they won’t make an offer. It’s the house they came to see, not the items inside it. Pack away as much as you can before listing so the house looks clean and uncluttered. Most buyers can’t see past the “stuff.”
Setting the price too high will prevent buyers from walking through your front door. The expertise of your agent can help you find that sweet spot of pricing for a quick sale but not overpricing it. You also want to list at a price that’s going to satisfy an appraisal (usually based on recent sales), but slightly lower than comparable properties, in order to draw buyers attention.
The majority of people shop for homes online. If the photos pop, it can translate into a higher sales price and may sell faster. You don’t need photos of every square foot of your home. The goal of photographs is not to show a buyer everything about the house, it’s to entice them to see it in person.
And, leave at least 20 minutes early, sometimes buyers arrive early. Why leave? because buyers want to ask questions of and make comments to their agent. They may not feel comfortable doing so if you’re around. By the time they leave, they may have forgotten their questions but they’ll have the “feeling” that something wasn’t right about the house. So, unless your agent asks you to be there for the showing, it’s in your best interest to leave.
Tammaro Realty is dedicated to helping you find your dream home and assisting with any selling needs you may have. Contact them today so they can guide you through the buying and selling process.
