Get the right real estate agent
Like any other important decision, you should shop around and find the right real estate agent for your needs. You shouldn’t have to settle for whoever happens to be available. While the reputation of your real estate agent will not have an impact on the selling price of your home, their assistance can have a significant impact on your experience. A good real estate agent will help you find the right buyer, guide you through the process, and walk you through all the paperwork involved in selling a home. They can also help you achieve a higher sales price, especially for first-time home sellers. Real estate agents are compensated in one of two ways, a commission or a flat fee. Commissions are typically calculated as a percentage of the sale price of your home, while flat fees are a one-time charge that covers the entire process from start to finish. If you’re a first-time home seller, a commission-based agent may be the better choice for you. A flat fee is usually reserved for experienced and professional sellers who have great homes to sell and are able to negotiate a higher sales price.
Research and understand the market
Before you begin the process of selling your home, you should carefully research the current housing market. Understanding the market will help you determine the ideal time to sell and what price range to set for your home. You can use resources such as the National Association of Realtor’s Market Statistics page to get a better idea of the current housing market. You can also take note of your neighbors’ home sales and see how closely they reflect the current market. You can also look at homes listed on similar real estate sites to get a better idea of how your home should be listed. If you notice a lot of similar homes are listed for significantly less than yours, you may need to lower your asking price. If you notice a lot of homes listed above yours, you may want to consider increasing your asking price. Regardless of what the market is doing, you still want to get the best price for your home. By understanding the housing market, you can help ensure that happens.
Maximize your home’s curb appeal
When a buyer pulls into your driveway for the first time, the first thing they’ll see is your home’s curb appeal or front exterior. This is often the first impression they have of your home and can make or break the sale. A good curb appeal can increase the number of potential buyers who make it inside your home and can help you sell faster. Maximizing your curb appeal can help you get a better sales price for your home. To improve your curb appeal, you may want to consider investing in some basic landscaping changes and exterior repairs. Fix any broken steps or walkways, replace faded or unkempt plants, and make sure your front door and porch are clean and in good shape. You may also want to consider repainting your home, particularly if the colour is an older style or pattern.
Use professional photography and staging
Professional photography and staging can significantly increase the number of potential buyers who view your home. This is particularly important for first-time home sellers who don’t have a track record of successful sales. Professional photography can help create an attractive, aspirational image for your home. Photo shoots are usually done on a plain white or grey backdrop, and include a variety of shots of your home from different angles, inside and out. Staging your home to look its best is another way to improve the number of potential buyers who view your home. This can be as simple as removing a few personal items, cleaning the rest, and adding a few decorative accents. A clean and uncluttered space can help buyers visualize their own belongings in your home and can help them see its full potential. You can also use fragrant items to create a welcoming environment for potential buyers. A few strategically placed candles or potpourri bowls can help create an inviting mood for visitors and can help improve their first impression of your home.
Prepare your home for showings
When you list your home for sale, you’ll likely have multiple showings each week. To get the most out of these showings, you need to have your home ready before the buyer arrives. This means your house should be clean, tidy, and uncluttered to help potential buyers visualize their belongings in the space and see your home’s full potential. You should also make sure important repairs are completed and that all utilities are on and functional. Additionally, you’ll want to avoid scheduling any loud, disruptive activities while showings are occurring. Keeping things quiet and clean while potential buyers are in your home can help ensure they make a positive first impression and want to come back again.
Set a realistic asking price
When it comes to pricing your home, common advice is to price it as high as you can afford to avoid getting the lower end of the spectrum. While this strategy may work for some sellers, it’s not the best strategy for first-time home sellers. While you certainly want to price your home as high as you can, you also don’t want to set your expectations too high. This can make it more difficult to sell your home and can put you in a dangerous position if you’re not able to get enough people through the door to make a sale. Instead, you may want to consider pricing your home just slightly above the average sales price. You can research the average sales price of similar homes in your area using real estate sites or by asking your real estate agent.
