With a considerable shift in the market over the last few months, we’ve seen a decrease in demand with an increase in the number of homes on the market.
While we are reaching a healthier balance than we saw during the pandemic’s peak, navigating a buyer’s market may be a bit more challenging for those hoping to sell their home this year or in the near future.
The goals of selling your home, whether in a buyer or seller market, remain the same. You want to attract top buyers, receive healthy offers at or above asking, and secure a final sale that meets the needs of both you and your buyer.
In the real estate world, we often hear potential sellers going back and forth on deciding whether or not it’s the right time to sell. The truth is– it’s always the right time if you’re ready to move on to bigger and better things.
Now, determining if your home is ready to sell is a different story. If you’ve lived in your current home for decades or turned a fixer-upper into a dream abode for someone else, it’s essential to get your home ready for sale.
My simple steps are easy to follow and will help you ensure that you get the most bang for your buck. Preparation is vital to increase your chances of selling your home quickly and profitably. Before you set out the “for sale” sign or add your home to MLS, follow my steps below for the best seller outcomes.
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Understand your neighborhood.
Knowing your area is essential to understanding your home’s worth and determining if you’d be in the green if you sold your home right now.
When learning about your neighborhood, do some research or speak with local realtor experts on things like:
- what other homes are selling for in your immediate area
- what’s bringing your buyers to your specific neighborhood
- market trends in your zip code
A great way to learn more about other homes in your immediate neighborhood is to attend local open houses for homes of comparable size and amenities. This allows you to have your finger on the pulse when it comes to buyers’ wants and needs.
The bottom line? Before deciding on a listing price for your home, it’s important to have a basic understanding of homes in your area.
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Find the perfect realtor in your area.
Now that you understand the need to know your area, it is crucial to call on the help of experts who can leverage your ideas into tangible selling solutions based on your goals.
But, let’s be honest– realtors can make or break your home sale.
While most realtors are experts at what they do on the home side of things, they may not be the best fit for you.
Don’t hesitate to sit down with a few realtors and ask them questions about the area, the home selling process, and their experience. Getting to know them better will help you choose the perfect one for you and your home goals.
Whatever realtor you choose, make sure they’re well-versed in the market trends and have deep roots in your neighborhood or area.
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Understand your selling goals.
Once you’ve decided on a realtor, work closely with them to determine your main selling goals.
Work through these top 10 target questions to better understand your plan:
- When do I want to sell my home?
- Where do I plan to live after my home sale?
- Do I need to purchase a home?
- Do I need a short or extended closing date?
- What are my profit goals?
- Will I cover closing costs?
- What contingencies work for me?
- Am I willing to work with all loan types?
- What will I include in my sale?
- What am I willing to fix when it comes to home inspections?
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Clean and Declutter
From first dates and job interviews to new friends and home sales, first impressions are everything!
Before listing your home for sale, cleaning and decluttering your space is important.
Some of my best cleaning and decluttering tips before listing include:
- Cleaning and shining the floors
- Washing the walls, windows, and baseboards
- Vacuuming the rugs
- Clearing out the pantry
- Purging and tidying closets, cabinets, and storage spaces
- Organizing the garage, basement, and attic
The cleaner and more organized the home is, the easiest it is for a client to walk in and feel at peace.
It is also an excellent way for them to imagine themselves in your home without worrying about tripping over clutter or struggling to walk through a walk-in closet.
The main focus shifts from what’s currently in the house to what could be in it with their purchase.
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Take responsibility for minor updates and repairs.
Minor repairs set off a red flag as major annoyances for potential homebuyers. Instead of shifting the task to new homeowners, it is important to take responsibility for minor repairs throughout the home before close.
Consider fixing or replacing things like:
- Leaky faucets
- Grout
- Door locks and handles
- Lightbulbs
- Running toilets
- Bright or outrageous paint colors that could be off-putting
- Old appliances
Taking care of minor repairs can make a major difference on the offers that you may receive.
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Professional home photography and videos are key.
Photos make a huge impression on potential buyers long before they decide to check out your home in person.
With everything online now, professional home photography and videos are more crucial than ever, especially with the influx of people relocated to different areas throughout the country.
Photos and video tours make it easier to decide if a buyer wants to take the next steps in the home exploration process with your home. It also allows them to decide on a home from a distance.
Talk with your realtor about the best options available for photos and videos when it comes to your live listing.
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Depersonalize your home.
Selling and staging your home requires the perfect balance of depersonalization and an environment that feels inviting and warm for all.
While having some personal items in your home (especially if you still live there) is okay, don’t overdo it because it could quickly become overwhelming to potential buyers.
Downsize the number of photos throughout your home, leaving just a few great shots around to make the home feel lived in.
Take down things like:
- Detailed calendars
- School or work schedules
- Bulletin boards
- Personal mail or bills
Store away your personal items in a small safe or file cabinet for safekeeping.
Massachusetts Real Estate Experts You Can Trust
At the end of the day, we want you to understand that you are in control of your sale and can set the expectations for your buyers ahead of time.
Working closely with an experienced real estate professional will allow you to prepare yourself and your space for a top-dollar sale.
If you’re looking to take advantage of the current market, now may be the right time to sell your home. I would love to help you navigate the process and understand if now is the right time for you. Contact me today to get started.
