When you list your home for sale in today’s market, the most effective tool you have is not the old-school “For Sale” sign in your yard (although this sign is likely to generate valuable neighborhood awareness), or a fancy advertisement in a local realtor’s magazine or newspaper (although these may generate some inquires).
In today’s market, a seller is going to generate the most attention to his or her home (1) by adding it to the Multiple Listing Services (MLS) and (2) through online marketing. Why, you ask? Over 90% of today’s buyers begin their search online. In fact, many buyers won’t even get in their cars to see your home if the online listing isn’t very exciting. In the real estate industry, exciting means pictures! I would recommend showing off the attractiveness of your home with at least 6 to 10 pictures, posting a video of your home, and writing a detailed description about what you love about your home that would make a prospective buyer love your home just as much as you do.
After you’ve placed a nice online ad with plenty of colorful photos, videos, and a description of why you love your home, here are a few additional tips to set yourself up for a quick transaction when selling your home:
- Price your home right from the start. Find out how much your home is worth and price it correctly. Many sellers price too high and then lower the price if the home doesn’t gain much attention. A new home on the market drives the most attention in the first 30 days of listing, so if you’ve priced your home too high, you may very well have priced yourself out of the market.
- Always be ready to show. Keep your house in show condition at all times and enhance your home’s curb appeal by planting flowers and painting the doors. Remember, the first impression is the only impression that matter, and buyers will formulate an opinion and set expectations the second they walk in the front door of your home.
- Upgrade the kitchen. The kitchen always comes first! The benefits of remodeling the kitchen are infinite. Remember, investing a few thousand dollars into remodeling your kitchen could keep the buyer from knocking tens of thousands of dollars from the asking price if the kitchen looks in need of work.
- Don’t over upgrade your home. Quick fixes will always pay off before selling your home. For example, painting the walls and adding new curtains would likely pay off and get you top dollar for your home.
- Make the property easy to show. Be flexible with prospective buyers, and be ready to show your home after work, in the morning, and during the weekend on short notice.
- Always find a real estate agent that you trust.
Looking for a real estate agent you can trust? Please reach out to me any time at 424.333.0557 or plissia@pslrealty.com.