Your home is likely your largest asset, so selling it may be the biggest financial move you’ve ever made, one that requires significant thought and strategy. However, once you’ve entered the market, the process may move very quickly: your property has the best chance to sell within its first seven weeks on the market. Studies indicate that the longer a property stays on the market, the less it will ultimately sell for.
So, you need to ensure you’re ahead of the game. Get your property into top selling shape before it hits the market in order to increase its chances of selling within the desired window of time and drawing top dollar.
Use the following tips to seize control of the home-selling process before you begin:
1. Establish the Reasons you Want to Sell your Home:
These reasons will direct the path you take in the home-selling process. If, for example, you have already purchased a new home and your goal is to make a quick sale on your current home, this reason will chart your approach. If, on the other hand, you aim to net the highest price possible for your home, you would need to prepare yourself for a potentially slower process. Be clear about these reasons, as they will directly influence the amount of time and effort you put into preparing your home for sale, and the amount you set for your asking price.
2. Pricing:
It is essential you list your property at a competitive market value right from the start. The competitive nature of the market means that over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could make the difference between your home selling quickly or not selling at all. Overpricing your home could potentially yield the following results: minimized offers, fewer showings, fewer agent responses, limited financing, buyers believing that you're testing the market and not serious about selling or a smaller net price.
You can avoid these outcomes by setting the price of your home at its market value when you first list.
If you are unsatisfied with the current market value of your home and unwilling to list it as such, consider putting off the sale of your home at this time.
3. Do your Homework:
Explore other homes on the market. Remember:
You want to get a selling price as close to your asking price as possible. And if you want to attract this price quickly, you won’t accomplish this by setting your price higher than your neighbour’s.
4. Choosing a Realtor:
Your choice of Realtor will greatly influence your home-selling experience. For
better or for worse, this person will be with you every step of the way during one of the most emotionally charged experiences of your life—your realtor should professionally guide you through each step in the selling process, calmly navigating the emotional highs and lows of the negotiations.
Don’t take this relationship lightly. Caring, responsive and a willingness to go above and beyond are quailities your should look for.
5. Cleanliness:
Make no mistake, prospective Buyers will be turned off by even a minimal lack of cleanliness, or an odour. Sellers may leave thousands of dollars on the table if they fail to thoroughly clean the house before they begin to show it.
- Begin by clearing the house of excess junk, clutter, and furniture.
- Create more space.
- Make every room sparkle.
- Eliminate odours. You may be the last to notice a peculiar odour in your house, but it may be the first thing a potential Buyer notices. So, air out your house prior to showing.
- Keep pets in the yard as much as possible, and send any household smokers outside.
6. Access to your Home:
Agents will be more reluctant to show your home if it isn’t readily accessible anytime.
Also, go through the following last-minute list to prepare for showing your home:
- keep all lights on, doors unlocked, and drapes and shutters open.
- If you can, leave the house while it is being shown. Head to the local coffee shop, or take the kids to the park. Prospective Buyers will feel more intrusive if the owner of the house is present while they are viewing. If you can’t leave the house, be as unassuming as possible.
8. Updated Interior:
- A fresh coat of paint may be one of your best investments when preparing your home for the market. New paint can take years off the appearance of your home, dramatically increasing its perceived value.
- Likewise, if your carpeting or flooring appears worn, old, or is an outdated pattern, consider replacing it. The carpet or paint in one room could be the difference between a successful sale and your home being overlooked.
9. Drive-Up Appeal:
If the buyer doesn’t like the outside of your house, s/he may choose to skip it
entirely. It is essential that your home possess a certain “drive-up appeal.” Remember, a potential buyer’s first impression of your house is formed while s/he is still sitting in the realtor’s car. Ensure the trees are trimmed, the walkway swept, the lawn cut. Paint the door, and put out a new, plush door mat. All of these little things will contribute to the overall effect of a well cared-for and welcoming home.
How to Get Top Dollar for your Home, Fast!
Subscribe with RSS Reader
The data relating to real estate on this website comes in part from the MLS® Reciprocity program of either the Greater Vancouver REALTORS® (GVR), the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (FVREB) or the Chilliwack and District Real Estate Board (CADREB). Real estate listings held by participating real estate firms are marked with the MLS® logo and detailed information about the listing includes the name of the listing agent. This representation is based in whole or part on data generated by either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB which assumes no responsibility for its accuracy. The materials contained on this page may not be reproduced without the express written consent of either the GVR, the FVREB or the CADREB.