The housing market is competitive at any time. If you are looking to sell your home, you are left competing with hundreds of any listings at any given time, so your property needs to stand out. Anyone can list your home but only experienced real estate agents are able to provide you with helpful tips and tricks when selling your home. In order to better serve clients, we have created a 10-step guide to the secrets of selling a house.
10. Light Up Your Listings
Lighting is an incredibly important part of any home listing. A dark house feels uninviting while a brightly lit home is cheery. Window washing, fresh drapery and higher watt bulbs can all contribute to a brighter atmosphere.
9. Accentuate Storage
A lack of storage space is a major deal breaker for prospective buyers, particularly those with children or that are hoping to grow their families. Showcasing closets that are bursting at the seams will make them appear too small. An empty closet can surprisingly have the same effect. When closets are empty the space can still feel small. So, if they can’t be full and they can’t be empty, what is the secret to showcasing storage spaces? Leaving closets, attics, garages and other areas half-empty and thoroughly organized is key to creating the right impression. This method shows that storage areas are capable of storing items without being cluttered or stuffed.
8. Work Closely With Your Agent
The right listing agent is key to the right results. Instead of listing your property and waiting for the interactions to happen, REALTORS® should always be monitoring the MLS for comparable listings and ongoing trends. A good REALTOR® should always be in contact, aware and be ready to promote your listings. Aggressive marketing techniques on multiple listing platforms put properties front and centre in front of potential buyers, as well as individuals who may not even know that they are looking yet. Work with a REALTOR® that puts you first.
7. Avoid Extravagant Upgrades
Just because you remodel your kitchen doesn’t mean that you will be getting your money back during a home sale. Brand new appliances might not suit the needs of potential buyers and built-ins often seem more like a liability than an asset. For example, a built-in coffee maker may look sleek but if they break down, repairs and replacements can be incredibly complicated and that can scare prospective buyers off. Whenever dealing with high-end appliances, maintenance and replacement costs are higher than average and that can be a deterrent — particularly if warranties are up. Consult with a REALTOR® beforehand for tips and tricks on how to add value to your listing efficiently. More often than not a fresh coast of paint is a more effective upgrade than a complicated appliance.
6. De-Personalize Homes
It is important for potential buyers to be able to envision living there. If there are tons of personal items, family photos or very personal touches it can be difficult for potential buyers to see themselves in that space. Storing personal keepsakes and photos is a good first step but that doesn’t help with tailored furniture or art choices. It is a good idea to hire a professional home staging expert can help to create the ideal canvas to showcase the home and not the items.
5. Focus on the Kitchen
If a house has high ceilings, large bedrooms and multiple bathrooms but a small kitchen, you will have a hard time selling that house. A kitchen is the heart and soul of any home. If you are going to do any remodelling projects, the kitchen is the space to update. Small updates like fresh paint, new hardware, door handles and even window coverings can make or break a home viewing
4. Be Ready to Show at Any Time
In addition to scheduled open houses, interested parties will often want to book private showings, particularly if they have already viewed it once. As long as a house is on the market, it should be ready to show at any time. This means a lot of daily upkeep but it also comes along with a large return on investment.
3. First Impressions Are Key
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. The first impression of a property is made long before you even make it to the front door. A house should feel inviting and comfortable. The home’s exterior is what makes the initial first impression so curb appeal is incredibly important. Adding hearty but inexpensive plants and flowers give the impression that a property has been maintained and cared for.
2. Community Focus
Home buyers are not just buying a house, they are buying a neighbourhood. If you have great neighbours, that is a selling feature. Everyone wants to have great neighbours and it is even better if it is someone that you already know. Informing neighbours that you are going to sell gets the ball rolling. They will spread the word to their own friends and family members and that can mean an easy sell for you. At the same time, having friendly neighbours stop over during an open house can put potential buyers at ease and even help to make a sale.
1. Strategic Pricing
Most homeowners have a number in mind when listing a house for sale. This number will fluctuate depending on size, style, location and current sale trends. A realtor can help to come up with a realistic number based on history, demand, nearby amenities and comparable properties in the area. With this number in mind, it is time to think about strategic pricing. By listing at 10-15% lower than anticipated, sellers will draw tons of attention to their listings and open houses, resulting in bidding wars.
If you are nervous about the selling process, from pricing your home, improving curb appeal and creating buzz are your listing, Dino Stepic is here to help!
