Congratulations, you have decided to sell your first home. When you were a first time home buyer, you may have noticed that there was no storage of people wanting to offer you advice. As a first time home seller, you may be feeling like things are a bit quiet with no one offering any advice. People may be acting like you should know what to do. Selling a home is not like buying like in reverse. The process comes with its own set of challenges.
One important thing to remember when selling your home is what it felt like to be a buyer. What turned you off when you were house hunting? What caused you to fall in love with the home that you purchased? Was it the view or the fresh paint and new carpet? Perhaps it has been so long that you do not remember. Let’s take a look at some of the things that can make your home as appealing to a buyer.
Price it right from the start
Price it right from the start. Overpriced homes do not sell. They sit on the market and buyers start to wonder what is wrong with them. There is probably nothing but that they are overpriced. Set a competitive price from the beginning to avoid unnecessary price drops.
Make your property easy to show
Make your property easy to show. It is frustrating when you want to see a property and the seller limits you to certain times on certain days or require you to provide 24 hour notice. The more flexible you are with showings, the more potential buyers will get to see your home. More showings can lead to more and better offers.
Declutter and depersonalize
Declutter and depersonalize. It is hard for buyer to picture themselves in a property if it has family photos scattered around. They feel like they are visiting your house, not looking at home that they might be able to make their own. Buyers can also get very distracted by clutter. They are there to look at the home, not your stuff. Create a clean, blank slate that buyer can imagine as theirs.
Smell matters
Smell matters more than you think. I have told sellers to bake cookies before an open house so that the smell lingers in the home. Make sure that your home does not smell like your pet or have other bad smells. Sometimes we become nose blind to smells. Ask a friend to stop by and give their honest opinion. Even if a home looks great, bad odors can be a turnoff. Make sure the house smells clean and neutral, creating an inviting atmosphere.
Listen to feedback
Listen to feedback. Remember when you were the buyer and you had opinions about every house? You may have had nicknames for the houses. The cat house, the yard mess etc. Your agent more than likely shared your feedback with the seller’s agent. Now that you are the seller you expect the same from buyers. Remember to not take feedback personally. If multiple agents mention the outdated bathroom or the worn carpet, consider making adjustments to improve your chances of selling your home.
Selling your home can be a bit overwhelming. Think like a buyer and this will set you up for success. Be sure to price your home right and make it easy to show. Don’t forget to take the time to prepare it for sale. Do all of this while working with a great agent. You will get your home SOLD!