It’s time to sell your home, so there are important steps to take before you accept the right offer. From staging your home to doing repairs, there are plenty of tips and tricks to help make the process much easier.
This Redfin article highlights 12 real estate tips that will help you sell your home this year. Whether you’re selling a home in Austin, Texas or a condo in Chicago, Illinois, here’s what you need to know.
12 Real Estate Tips for Sellers
Find the right listing agent to determine the best time to list your home invest in professional photos. 3D walkthroughs will get a pre-listed home inspection and handle repairs.
1. Find the right listing agent
Perhaps the best real estate tips are to find a committed, responsive and knowledgeable real estate agent. A good listing agent is someone you can trust to guide you through every step of selling your home. Your agent will advise you on which repairs will help you sell your home and will make recommendations for organizing, staging, and maximizing your curb charm.
Listing agents shine the most when it’s time to negotiate an offer. The goal is to make sure you earn the best dollars for your home and sell it quickly. Your ideal real estate agent will have a strong understanding of local market trends and how to price and place your home accordingly. You can interview several agents to find people who can work comfortably and work hard for your goals.
2. Determine the best time to list your home
Spring, which usually begins in March and April, is considered the peak home view-in season. However, the best time to sell depends on your local housing market and your own timeline. A knowledgeable agent can help you see the latest buyer trends and data in your area and determine if it’s time to sell your home. They can also advise on the best time to list your home.
3. Invest in professional photos and 3D walkthroughs
Professional photography is a great option to show your home in the best light. Homes with high quality and professional images listed are known to sell faster and more money. Professional real estate photographers capture each room at the best angle and highlight its best features.
Many real estate agents offer 3D tours of listings. Virtual walkthroughs are a major advantage for both buyers and sellers. Buyers can “shop” anytime, day or night, while sellers can “show” their homes 24/7. You can also reduce the show to only serious buyers. If the buyers are really interested, they will show you a virtual walkthrough and request a show.
4. We will inspect the listed home in advance and handle the repairs.
It might be appealing to postpone small repairs and have the next owner handle them. However, if you list your home without repairs, potential buyers may be more likely to fall below the asking price or seek concessions during negotiations. Getting a listing home inspection in advance will give you an idea of what repairs you need.
Fixing the issue in advance also gives you peace of mind that no additional issues occur during the closure process. Buyers will likely need to inspect their homes, so listing inspections will help you know in advance that you should not expect any major issues.
5. Increase curb appeal
When selling your home, first impressions are important. Fit your lawn, pull weeds, clean windows, power wash the paneling, wear chips and peeled paint. Like seasonal garlands and fresh mulch, even small updates to the exterior of your home will set your home apart, and help attract buyers to tour the home.
6. Organize your space and make it depersonalized
One of the easiest real estate tips to follow is to organize your home. We want potential buyers to look at your home, not your belongings. Having your home appear to be ready for move-in can help home buyers see themselves in your space.
Of course, there are items that you need to use every day. If possible, make them accessible and invisible. Consider renting a storage unit to hold seasonal items, excess furniture and extra decorations until you move to the next location. With minimal furniture and messy, the house looks clean, spacious and attractive.
7. Staging your home to showcase its possibilities
Staging helps potential buyers connect emotionally with your home. Arrange furniture to highlight the layout and functionality of every room. Do not add a touch of fishing like some throw pillows, fresh flowers, or potted plants.
The purpose of staging is to show buyers the potential of the home. All main rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, bathrooms and primary bedrooms are required.
8. Highlight the best features of your home
Think about what makes your home unique to the buyer. Do you have custom crown moldings in your home, or have you transformed your basement into a game room? Does the house have a covered patio or do you have recently upgraded appliances?
Use staging to highlight these features. Make sure these features are featured in the home list description and marketing materials. Agents should also pay attention to these features during home tours and open houses.
9. Strategically price your home
One of the biggest real estate tips to follow is to price your home correctly. Agents should be able to make informed recommendations for the appropriate list prices.
If your home is too expensive, it is likely that you are sitting in the market and future buyers will reaffirm their value. If your home is too low, you can leave money on the table to reduce the amount of equity you bring to your next home purchase.
Your agent should perform a comparative market analysis (CMA) to recommend competitive prices based on recent sales in your region.
10. Get ready for your home show
When you list your home, it is common for an agent to call within hours regarding potential buyers who want to see your home. It’s easier to improvise if you keep your home “show-ready.”
Before listing your home, make sure to thoroughly clean each room and maintain its cleanliness every day. This means vacuuming, wiping surfaces and eliminating unnecessary odors.
11. Provides buyer incentives
In certain markets, providing incentives to potential buyers can make your home more attractive. For example, it could cover closure costs, include home warranty, or provide flexible travel dates. These incentives can help potential buyers to stand out your home and sell it faster.
12. Respond to offers in a timely manner
Please respect all reasonable offers. You know what terms and conditions, including the prices you accept and what you are willing to negotiate if asked. Most contracts have a date to respond, but there is no reason why they can’t respond early. We will respond with a counter offer or acceptance as soon as a good offer comes.
Selling your first home is not easy. However, with these 12 real estate tips, moving on to the next chapter of your life is just as exciting.
