10 Unspoken Rules You Need to Know When Selling
If you’re thinking of selling your home, you may be thinking that it can’t be that hard. Clean your home, and keep it that way, take photos and list your home online and wait for the offers to roll in, right? Not entirely. Below, check out the 10 unspoken rules you need to know when selling your home.
Don’t Upgrade Everything
When it comes to upgrading, think about small and easy upgrades you can make. Items like door hinges, vent covers, cabinet knobs and light fixtures are all great places to spend money on because they are small fixes that can make a big difference in your home’s appearance. Focus on above-grade improvements as opposed to below-grade improvements; finishing your basement isn’t going to make a difference when you sell. If you are unsure where your money should go, upgrade your kitchen and bathrooms because they are often the two most important places to buyers. Don’t forget about the exterior of your home, too. Seal your driveway, fix siding or repaint the house to make a great first impression for buyers.
Your Appraiser Won’t Save You
If you think you will be able to haggle with the appraiser, you are in for a big surprise. No matter what you do, you may not see the valuation you desire, and the appraiser won’t budge from his final assessment and risk losing his job for being anything but impartial. Do what you can to increase the value of your home, but don’t get too caught up in it. Prepare yourself because chances are that the number you get from your appraiser won’t be the one you want to see.
Home Staging Matters
It is hard for buyers to picture themselves in a home that is made up and decorated for someone else. Just because you home is perfect for your style doesn’t mean it will be anywhere close to what buyers are looking for. Focus on keeping your home’s staging as clean and simple as possible. If you have small children and pets that make it difficult to keep everything cleaned up, then move out. A home full of clutter and mess will not sell.
You Have Less Time Than You Think
Set a timeframe for your sale to help you sell it smoothly and quickly. Put it on the market at the right time, with the right price and your home will sell easily.
Create a Plan – And Stick to it
Make a list of things that will help sell your home and prioritize them. Stay organized and remain focused on the bottom line. Check things off of your to-do list to sell your home for maximum profit in minimal time.
Keep Your Listing Fresh and Don’t Stress if it Sits
Be sure to keep your listing as updated and relevant as possible, even if it seems like a tedious task. Doing so makes a difference, particularly if your home has been on the market for a while. Remember that it’s only a matter of time before the right buyer comes along. If you have performed upgrades and updates to your home, be sure that your listing reflects these and don’t be afraid to include seemingly small things.
Buyers Don’t Like Losing
Nobody wants to miss out on the home of their dreams and when it comes to life-altering purchases, buyers will do anything to win. Do everything you can to give them that win. Think about what comments your neighbors have made about your home. Chances are they’ve mentioned something they liked or wished they had in their home. Use this information to tailor your listing for the perfect buyer – the one who won’t stand to lose out on their dream home.
Take Care of Problems Before Inspection
The home inspection is a major headache and one that you want to get over with as soon as possible. Take care of any problems you are aware of now rather than waiting. While home inspections can be costly, they will almost certainly find something worth the cost of looking, which will save you time, money and stress.
Keep Calm
Selling your home takes months of work, even before you put it on the market. During this time, there will be moments where you will want to just give up and move on, but don’t let these moments get to you. Take a step back, breathe deeply and refocus your energy. One day soon, the process will be over and you will have successfully sold your home.
Enlist a Professional
A lot of the aspects that go into selling your home are impossible to know without having the experience. Real estate professionals know the ins-and-outs of the game and they will make your life exponentially easier, even if it costs a little bit more than you’d like. Hiring a professional will cost you, but the experience and knowledge they have will make the cost worth it in the end.
Selling your home can be an incredibly overwhelming experience, but it can also be extremely rewarding. Remember to stay organized at all times, do the work you have to do and remain as calm as possible. To sell with the least amount of stress, hire a professional who has the experience that you don’t.