Getting ready to put your home on the market is one of those exercises in optimism. You are excited to move to the next chapter in your life. You are also hopeful that all the planning and execution will go exactly as you and your Realtor® plan, ensuring your home sells over list price, as quickly as possible.
The reality though is that there is more to this than meets the eye. There can always be a correction in the market. Your home may not garner as many interested offers as you anticipated, or your home may simply just not sell at all.
So how do you avoid these problems? Today we want to share with you a few tips that will ensure you are able to sell your home, for the price you want, according to plan, with no drama.
1) The market is a thing. You need to respect it.
Depending upon what time of year you choose to sell your home, there are going to be differences in the market and as a result, differences in the listing prices of homes on the market. It is very important to be realistic about the true state of the market and what you want to list your home for, if you want to be sure to sell it quickly. Remember: It’s all relative. Even if the market drops a little, that just means the next home you purchase will cost that much less.
2) Interview more than one prospective Realtor®
Selling your home is one of the largest transactions you'll ever have, so why wouldn't you interview several applicants to help you? You can ask friends and family for referrals, but there are several questions you should ask. Make sure the agents you interview are experienced selling homes in your neighborhood and the type of home you want to sell. To get the listing, potential agents may employ a number of strategies, including suggesting or agreeing with you to list a high price for your home. Don't fall for it. Choose the agent who is straight with you, about the market and about your home.
Asking friends who they have worked with to sell or buy property, looking at signs in the neighborhood to figure out who sells the most property in your area, or even looking at print marketing you get in your mailbox can all give you a good idea of who you may wish to hire to sell your home. The VERY IMPORTANT thing to remember though is that you are embarking on selling what is likely your most valuable, and definitely your most personal asset. Don’t just pick a Realtor® out of the thin error.
Schedule listing appointments with at least 2-3 Realtors®, meet with them in person, and pick the agent you feel most comfortable with, align with best and trust the most. It may seem taxing to go through this process, but in the end it will pay off.
3) Your picked an agent, now listen to that agent
So you just went through this whole process to find the “perfect” Realtor® to help you sell your home. If you are wondering what the most valuable next step is, it’s easy: LISTEN TO THEM. You already know you are comfortable with them, trust them and know they can help you sell your home.
When they tell you that you can get a better offer if you de-clutter, stage your home, make certain updates or repairs, it's a proven truth. Buyers are more negative when they see homes that need work, and tend to make offers or withhold offers based on their feelings.
Do these things, right away, without objection and it will surely make for an easier and more profitable sale of your home.
