Selling a Home for First-Time Home Sellers Guide
Selling
Preparing a house for sale can be daunting to anyone, but particularly if you are selling a home for the first time. If you are readying your house for the market, these expert tips are here to help:
Learn Ways to Increase Home Value
The value of your home has a lot to do with its upkeep and maintenance as well as the first impression it gives to visitors. Here are a few quick ways to increase home value and entice potential buyers:
- Replace worn carpeting or having all flooring professionally cleaned
- Repair broken roof shingles and unsightly gutters
- Expand closet and storage space throughout the house
- Repaint the home or even just the front door and trim
- Dress up your walkway and front porch with landscaping to increase curb appeal
- Add outdoor lighting in the yard, throughout the garden, or along the walkway
Making a few changes will allow you to promote a well-maintained and visually appealing property that is more likely to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Price Your House Accordingly
Once you have implemented a few ways to increase home value, have your house appraised and then list it at a competitive price from the start. Your property will see the most interest in its first few weeks on the market, so avoid an inflated starting price that could discourage potential buyers. After studying similar sales prices, not asking prices, work closely with your Realtor to help price your house.
Reach Your Target Market
After cleaning, staging, and pricing your home, what is next? First, consider whom you are selling to, whether bachelors, young married couples, large families, or empty nesters. Next, take professional-quality photos of each room, along with several shots of the exterior and backyard. Share these photos in your Realtor’s listing as well as elsewhere online, along with multiple forms of contact information. Some individuals will choose to email about a listing while others prefer to call.
Throw in Extras
A list of selling a home tips would not be complete without suggesting that you try to sweeten the deal for potential buyers. Throwing in an extra may not allow you to set a higher asking price, but it could help a buyer decide to close. For example, if you cannot take along your washer and dryer, see if throwing them into the sale could serve as an incentive for a prospective buyer.
Otherwise, focus on making your property move-in ready by making small repairs in advance. This can help streamline the closing process and keep your buyer from having a hefty “to-do” list on move-in day. Trim overgrown hedges, repair garage door dents, fix squeaky doors or stubborn windows and more.
