One thing I know for certain: homeowners that sell their homes
quickly and for top dollar are happy. Let’s face it, selling a home is hard
work and nobody wants to be in that position for any longer than they
absolutely have to.
Thankfully, there are steps you can take to get in and out of the
selling process quickly and with maximum profit at the closing table.
Tip #1 – How to Maximize Profit
While it’s important to clean and stage a home for maximum profit,
it won’t get you anywhere if it’s akin to putting lipstick on a pig.
Squeaky doors, dripping faucets, torn window screens and damaged
baseboards all add up to a price reduction. So before you get out the cleaning
supplies (or schedule a cleaning crew) fix all the little things that – believe
me – homebuyers will notice.
Then you can clean the house – from top to bottom. Make it look like you have a full-time cleaning staff with clean windows, floors and walls.
Clean and organize cupboards and closets – yes, they will look inside. Clear the countertops of anything that isn’t decorative.
Tip #2 – Think like a Homebuyer
Buyers won’t jump through hoops to get information about your
house. Most give up after one phone call. While your agent has a lot to do with
this, you can do your part as well.
Don’t make it difficult for potential buyers to view the house.
Make the home available for showings; even at the last minute and even if it’s
not a convenient time for you.
Does your agent answer the phone or return phone calls promptly?
You should know this before you even hire an agent. It should be part of the
process of elimination.
Call each agent under consideration and never hire one that
doesn’t return your call promptly. If they don’t return a potential listing
client’s call they will certainly not return a homebuyer’s call.
Here’s a bonus tip: Many agents use their listings to drive traffic to their web site, not to help sell the home.
To accomplish this they put as little information as possible in
the ad for the listing, hoping that the potential buyer will want to more and
click through to the agent’s website.
When you hire an agent make it clear that your house is not to be
used as “link bait” to bring in more customers for the agent. Tell him or her
that you want all details of your home listed in all print and web
advertising.
Tip #3 – Always Sell First
I typically advise my clients to sell their home before moving.
This is because studies show that vacant houses take longer to sell. This is
the same reason many homeowners pay decorators to stage their homes.
Buyers want homes that they feel they can move right into and a
vacant home doesn’t give them that feeling.
Tip #4 – Price it to Sell
Although location, location, location is every real estate agent’s
mantra, price, price, price is that of every homebuyer – they simply will not
buy an overpriced home.
Determining a price range that will attract buyers while at the same time not “give away the farm,” requires the services of a real estate agent.
Only with access to the local MLS and knowledge of current market conditions and the neighborhood can you be sure that your home is priced appropriately.
I’m happy to meet with you to discuss
what I do to sell homes quickly and for top dollar. A consultation is free, there
is no obligation to use my services and it’s only a phone call away.
