Selling Tips

Price it Right:
Find out what your home is worth, then shave 15 to 20 percent off the price. It takes real courage and most sellers just don’t want to risk it, but it’s the single best strategy to sell a home in today’s market.

Clear the Clutter:
Storage is something every buyer is looking for and can never have enough of. Buyers will snoop so rid closets, etc of half the stuff and organzie the rest! As difficult as it is be sure to keep all your closets and cabinets clean and tidy.

Lighten it Up:
Maximize the light in your home. After location, good light is the one thing that every buyer cites that they want in a home. Take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs and cut the bushes outside to let in sunshine. Do what you have to do make your house bright and cheery – it will make it more sellable. 

Conceal the Pets:
You might think a cuddly dog or cat would warm the hearts of potential buyers, but you’d be wrong. Not everybody is a dog- or cat-lover. Buyers don’t want to walk in your home and see a bowl full of dog food or smell the kitty litter box. It will give buyers the impression that your house is not clean. When showing the house take the pets away for the day.

Don’t Over Upgrade your House
Quick fixes before selling always pay off. Huge makeovers, not so much. You probably won’t get your money back if you do a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market. Instead, do updates that will pay off and get you top dollar. Get a new fresh coat of paint on the walls. Clean the curtains or go buy some inexpensive new ones. Replace door handles, cabinet hardware, make sure closet doors are on track, fix leaky faucets and clean the grout.

Kitchen comes First
You’re not actually selling your house, you’re selling your kitchen – that’s how important it is. Fresh paint and new hardware go a long way in sprucing up the kitchen. 

Always be ready to show
Your house needs to be "show-ready" at all times – you never know when your buyer is going to walk through the door. You have to be available whenever they want to come see the place and it has to be in tip-top shape. Don’t leave dishes in the sink, keep the dishwasher cleaned out, the bathrooms sparkling and make sure there are no dust bunnies in the corners. It’s a little inconvenient, but it will get your house sold.

The first impression is the only impression
No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk through the door. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. It’s important to make people feel warm, welcome and safe as they approach the house. Spruce up your home’s exterior, keeping it fresh. When you’re selling, make your home welcoming. Freshly baked cookies or flowers will say, welcome home.  

Adapted from: HGTV 10 Best secrets to selling your home.