Although there are thousands of different resources available for sellers, much of it should be taken with a grain of salt. This article focuses on the facts of real estate sales and offers only the best advice available.
Real Estate
Select a real estate agent wisely when you want to sell or buy a home. Selling real estate is important, and there is a lot of money involved. Your agent should be trustworthy and know his business well. An experienced and knowledgeable agent will help the process go easier and faster.
Make your house more appealing to buyers by cleaning out your clutter. Closets should be dusted and contain only an organized assortment of essential items. Clean out all kitchen cabinets, but you might want to include some gourmet items just to give your home a touch of class.
Wipe clean all counter tops and appliances. Get out the broom and mop to clean your floors, and make sure the bathroom is spotless. Make your children clean up their rooms. Pick up clothing lying on the floor, and place dirty laundry in an inconspicuous spot. When the home is clean, potential buyers can give their focus to the positive aspects of your home.
Potential Buyers
If you’re showing your home to potential buyers, draw back your window coverings. Potential buyers like to know how much natural light can enter a home. Lift all of your blinds, pull back the drapes and curtains and you should be good to go. In nice weather, open the windows. Fresh air can help your home seem more appealing to buyers.
Buyers and sellers alike will benefit by setting goals as to what they expect when they jump into the market for real estate. Buyers, for example, should clearly identify in their minds the price they are willing to pay, where they want to buy, and the features they desire in their purchase. Similarly, sellers should identify the lowest price they’re willing to accept and be prepared to stick to it in order to keep from yielding to future desperation to make a sale.
Get your house ready to sell by the beginning of later winter/ early spring. Buyers want to move in just after the school year ends and be well settled by mid-summer.
Make sure to use neutral colors when you are painting so buyers can imagine themselves living there. Use candles and make cookies; both of these will add a positive aroma to your home. Potential buyers can even eat some of the cookies. A warm and relaxed atmosphere will appeal to buyers. They will sense that people enjoy living in this home, and see that they would like it too, and decide to buy.
It’s crucial that you demonstrate patience when it comes to real estate agents. There will be moments when you will disagree on the best way of selling your home, particularly when they inform you of things that you are not willing to listen to. It is not necessary that you agree with their assessments, but that you follow their advice anyhow, as they have the knowledge to make your home sell.
Don’t spray air freshener or light scented candles when selling your home. Some people are overwhelmed by the smell, and some may even be allergic to certain fragrances. The fragrances may actually put a buyer off. However, if you still wish for your home to have an attractive scent, place some lightly scented potpourri on a table in a bowl.
When selling your house, be willing to negotiate with people making offers. You may feel one way about your home, but other people might feel differently, so try your best to be reasonable with people. Consult with the real estate agent of your choosing regarding a fair price for your home.
Of course, you probably realize the importance of making your home’s interior appealing to a buyer. When this is set, look at the exterior. The magic words here are “curb appeal”. Your home’s exterior is the first thing that a buyer sees, so it needs to be in great shape. If you see problems that would put potential buyers off, fix them now.
Allow your buyers to make up their own mind about your house without you being there. Let the buyer get a feel for the house and possibly talk amongst people they brought with them, as this can increase your chances of selling. When you leave the buyers to their own devices, they will not have a personal bias to include in their opinion of the property.
Once you understand this strategy, the next thing that you must do is to use it. Using the information you have learned here, you can create a plan for any market conditions. Whenever you need a refresher course, take a moment to re-read this article.