It’s that time of the year again. The busy real estate season is almost upon us. Typically from May to September, we will see an increase in homes for sale. It’s decision time for many potential sellers: Is this the right time to sell or not? Even though interest rates are higher than in the past couple of years, homes are still selling. But this means, as a seller, you will need to be ready to compete and put your best foot forward. Every seller should have the goal to separate their home from the rest of the market, be on the must-see home list, generate interest and excitement about their home, then receive an offer and sprint towards the sold finish line. Are you going to list/sell your home this year? If the answer is yes, here are five home selling tips, plus a bonus tip.
Five home selling tips, plus a bonus tip, to get your home sold quickly
- There is only one first impression. When people view your home, they are making judgments, considering wants and needs, while checking lots of boxes. Your home should be warm and welcoming from the outside in. The lawn should be mowed, edged, no weeds in the beds, fresh mulch, maybe add a few shrubs and brightly colored flowers. We want curb appeal! The interior should be clean and decluttered, less is more, buyers want to imagine themselves in your home, give them space to do that. You might also want to have a vase of freshly cut flowers or cookies. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression.
- Price your home to sell. The market has shifted from a wild seller’s market to a normal market in a blink. Now, more than in recent years, you must price your home competitively. You cannot price it too high, sit on the market longer, then chase the market, only to get less than the original market price. If you have a pie in the sky number that you must get, this market is not for you. Get a comparative market analysis from your real estate broker, see the competition and set a realistic competitive price, and you will sell faster.
- Clean and declutter. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves in your home. If your home is a mess, it will be impossible for buyers to see themselves living in your home. You should give your home a thorough cleaning, and if that’s not your forte, then hire a cleaning company to make it spotless. You also need to get rid of stuff and declutter. The more square footage and surface areas a potential buyer can see, the easier it is to visualize themselves in your home. Try rearranging furniture and removing bulky items, as this can make your home appear more open, inviting, and larger. Remember, a crowded room is a small room.
- Do quick repairs. This one is very important. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve shown a home with a loose cabinet hinge, dripping faucet, or stained carpet. The mind of a buyer always wonders what problems with the home are not easily seen. Sellers, just because you’ve gotten used to your homes’ idiosyncrasies, do not expect buyers to do the same. Fix all the loose hinges and tiles in the kitchen and bathrooms, repair all leaky faucets or running toilets, remove all carpet stains and consider using a professional carpet cleaning company. If your budget permits, a fresh coat of neutral paint will do wonders.
- Always be ready. Always be prepared to show your home at all times. The buyer for your home could come at any time. Sometimes it might be at an inconvenient time, but you never know when the right buyer is going to walk through the door. You have to make your home accessible and available whenever the buyer wants to come see it, and it has to look its best. The kitchen should sparkle, no dishes in the sink, no stuff on the counters, no dust bunnies, vacuum the carpet (people love carpet lines), the bathrooms should be tidy and lemon fresh clean. Say yes to last minute showings, the inconvenience will be short term and your home will sell quickly.
The real number one: Find the right real estate broker. This lucky person should know all the tips to get your home ready to sell, know the local real estate market and have a track record of success. This person should be a full-time real estate broker, and they should love and be passionate about selling real estate. They should provide a comparative market analysis for your property, then walk you through the entire real estate home selling process, and be there to help every step of the way if you choose to work with them. They should hire a photographer to take spectacular pictures of your home. The broker should also write up your listing, schedule showings, do open houses, and market your property to help you sell your home for top dollar. ◆
I am Louis Torres, the Rock-n-RollRealtor with ReMax NW. I have lived and sold real estate in Mill Creek for over 20 years. If you have any real estate questions or comments email me at Louis@Rock-n-RollRealtor.com, call 206-605-2882, or visit my website at Rock-n-RollRealtor.com.
