Donna’s Rules of Real Estate for Sellers
There is a fine art to selling a home. Before you start on this journey, determine what type of sale you’d like to experience. Your Realtor’s strategies differ depending upon your end goal. Are you wanting to sell and obtain the highest value for your property with no time constraints? Or would you prefer a quick no-work sale? Or settle on something in between? Being up front with your Realtor about your preferences from the beginning of the listing process will allow them to expertly guide you through your selling cycle.
No matter the strategy decided upon, here are a few House Selling 101 tips to prepare your home for the real estate market.
Complete Basic Maintenance
I know you don’t want to replace that bathtub with a buyer-preferred zero threshold over-sized shower before coming on the market, but it is a good idea to access the caulk condition. A tube of caulk can go a long way to brightening up your bathroom (and kitchen) for minimal cost. Ignoring small touch-ups can lose you big offer money.
Another quick task to signal to your potential buyer that your home is well taken care of is to make sure downspouts and gutters are clear of any leaves or debris. There’s nothing worse than having a buyer look out a second-story window and view the full gutters from the window. Give the impression that your home is move-in ready, not coming with a honey-do project list.
Invest In Professional Staging
Before your listing comes to market, it is worth investing in furniture and accessories staging. It is an investment that will pay for itself, and in all likelihood, your agents selling fee, too. Buyers don’t have time to imagine how to arrange furniture in a vacant great room. Eliminate the confusion and have a stylish layout for them to enjoy and view your listing in the most favorable condition. Current, neutral furniture and accessories allow your home to compete with the freshness of a new build and any dated or vacant listings.
Complete Thorough Spring Cleaning
No matter the time of year you come on the market, make sure your windows and light fixtures shine like springtime. Also, take a walk around the basement and vacuum all cobwebs from the floor joists and dust the top of your hot water heater. You get the idea. Make your home feel clean and fresh while steering clear of candles and air fresheners as buyers will wonder what you’re concealing.
Insist Upon Professional Photography
Whether you stage the home or make updates or not, professional photography is absolutely non-negotiable. While the iPhone will give your agent great shots, don’t skimp on professional photos. Today’s buyers scroll first- your first showing on your property is no longer with a buyer walking into your home. Your listing is first viewed and considered on-line. Anything less than photos that WOW and photos that entice the buyer to click on your listing and view more details, will yield few in-person tours and ultimately fewer offers.
Make sure lighting is bright, clutter is eliminated and every room is represented in the reel. Failing to show a kitchen photo, may make the potential buyer wonder why it’s not shown, and pass on spending the time to tour in person.
Review County Auditor’s Report
Before you want to sell your 4BR 3.5 BA home, check to see that the number of bedrooms and baths are correct with the auditor’s office. Be sure to verify the drawing of the livable space is accurate too. If your home is 3,200sq/ft and public records only has it listed as 2,800sq/ft because that second bath addition was never added, you might want to correct this discrepancy prior to having an active listing. You may be leaving money on the table with the size of the home incorrectly referenced, and you may miss out on buyers considering you home if it does not meet their minimum size threshold.
Take Time for Yourself
No matter how prepared your home is for that first buyer showing, selling a home can be emotionally draining and sometimes physically exhausting. To minimize these feelings, follow your agent’s guidelines and consider these basic House Selling 101 tips to put your home in its best light to attract the next owner as quickly and stress-free as possible.
Thinking About Selling Your Home in Central Ohio?
Every home is different, and so is every seller. Whether your priority is getting the highest possible price, selling quickly, or finding the right balance, having a plan from the start makes all the difference.
With more than 22 years of experience in Central Ohio real estate, I can help you determine which improvements are worth making, how to position your home in today's market, and what selling strategy makes the most sense for your goals.
Let's talk about your home and what you'd like your next move to look like.
Call or text Donna Leigh-Osborne at 614-783-6999.