| Selling a home can be easy and done quickly in | | | | to sell is because homeowners don't price their |
| either a buyers or sellers market if you follow the | | | | home right. Eventually after months or even a |
| following instructions. | | | | year on the market they realize their error and |
| Remove Clutter: Nobody likes to see other | | | | price it right and it sells. If they would have done |
| peoples stuff lying all over the house. This gives a | | | | that from the beginning it would have sold quickly. |
| bad impression of the way you take care of your | | | | Most homeowners think their home is the nicest |
| home. If you don't even maintain the visible areas | | | | in the neighborhood and price it high. Let me tell |
| of your home a buyer may think that you | | | | you that is the wrong way to do it. I see it all the |
| haven't taken care of major concerns such as | | | | time, home sellers price their home at $250,000 |
| the roof, plumbing, electric, etc. Place your clothes | | | | when the comparable homes that recently sold |
| in the closet or dresser, put the dishes in the | | | | were purchased between $200,000 and $220,000. |
| dishwasher or cabinets, vacuum every other day, | | | | Why not price your home correctly between |
| remove toys, etc. A messy cluttered house will | | | | $200,000 and $220,000 and sell it. Your home is |
| put off buyers and not lead to a sale. Have your | | | | not a castle and buyers don't care about the |
| home presentable at all times. | | | | memories you have of the home. Even many |
| Clean: Probably the cheapest thing you can do to | | | | upgrades you might have done will have no value |
| increase the value of your home is to simply | | | | in a buyers eyes, everybody has their own |
| clean thoroughly. If you take one weekend to | | | | tastes. |
| thoroughly scrub your home before you put it on | | | | To price your home correctly you should get an |
| the market it will show better and could lead to a | | | | expert's opinion of value. Do not listen to a real |
| higher sale price. You could even consider hiring a | | | | estate agent as they are salespeople and are not |
| cleaning service to do the cleaning for you, it | | | | trained to value real estate. Many agents will |
| would be well worth it. | | | | actually embellish the value of your home to get |
| Repairs: Take a notepad and walk around your | | | | you to list your home with them. For only a few |
| house, both the interior and exterior and note any | | | | hundred dollars you could hire a real estate |
| repairs, minor or major that need to be fixed. | | | | appraiser who is an unbiased party to help you |
| This is very important as most lenders will require | | | | price your home correctly to get it sold. |
| repairs to be fixed prior to closing, therefore you | | | | An appraisal will include the recent comparable |
| should get the repairs done now as this could also | | | | homes sales that have occurred in your |
| increase the purchase price. I highly recommend | | | | neighborhood and they will be adjusted for their |
| that you hire a home inspector prior to putting | | | | differences compared to your home to help the |
| your home on the market. A home inspector will | | | | appraiser estimate the value. Also, request that |
| complete a thorough inspection and tell you what | | | | the appraiser include at least two comparable |
| really needs to be fixed. A home inspection costs | | | | active listings in the report. The listings will show |
| only a few hundred dollars and could help you | | | | you the asking prices of comparable homes that |
| avoid last minute problems due to repair issues. | | | | you will be competing with. If similar homes in |
| Pricing: Pricing your home correctly can lead to a | | | | your neighborhood are for sale between $210,000 |
| quick sale. I don't mean to under price your home | | | | and $220,000, why do you think a buyer would |
| to get it sold fast, I mean to price it at market | | | | pay $250,000 for your home. |
| value to get you top dollar. This is very important. | | | | If you follow the tips above and are able to step |
| If you price it right it will sell quickly even in a | | | | back and view your home without being emotional |
| buyers market where homes are not selling | | | | or biased you could sell your home quickly and for |
| quickly. The reason most homes take a long time | | | | top dollar. |