Selling your Home? Here are 10 Essential Tips from the Experts at RE/MAX First....
When selling a home, it’s important to generate as much revenue as possible! After all, homeowners typically invest more than memories into their properties. There are many things to consider such as curb appeal, staging and choosing a listing agent. It is important to hire an expert listing agent to help through the selling process. In addition to hiring a professional, the following considerations are essential to remember in the home-selling process.
When home sellers are moving up, they should consider taking advantage of low interest rates for up to a 30-year term. Homeowners typically stay in their home 10 years before moving, but a strong seller’s market can encourage them to sell and move up earlier than they thought. In the case of moving up, the sellers should take advantage of low interest rates, but may be able to use equity to finance a smaller mortgage in the event of moving down.
- Potential home sellers should consider their reasons for moving. If it is due to the upkeep of the home, it may be time to consider other, lower maintenance options such as a condo, garden home or new construction.
- Home sellers should consider a fresh coat of paint in the house to maximize the space’s potential during showings. For a neutral feel in this space, good paint choices are Benjamin’s Moore’s “Swiss Coffee,” “White Dove,” and warm whites for transitional style. For more modern looks, cool whites like “White Heron,” and “Calm” reflect light to make the space feel more expansive.
- Consider updating outdated features in the house to increase profit. Items such as sunken bathtubs, mirrored walls and worn cabinetry are a great place to start updates! Replace these with an above-ground tub, large mirrors on the light walls to reflect light and fresh paint on cabinets to create immediate improvements.
- When selling in the fall or winter, consider brightening exterior living spaces to enhance them on overcast or darker evenings. This can be done by power washing concrete spaces, painting patio furniture, sweeping leaves, planting winter-friendly landscaping, and providing plenty of outdoor lighting to dark, exterior spaces.
- When selling a home, sellers should consider curb appeal. Do this by tidying up the front with a fresh door mat, seasonal planters, and tasteful porch decorations.
- Home sellers should consider home staging to improve their chances at a higher price and faster sale. Realtors will know what is performing well in the market. Sellers should ask their realtor about new staging or re-purposes already purchased furniture for re-staging. Decluttering and removing personal items from shelves, counters and closets can create an environment where interested home buyers can picture themselves in their future home.
- Home sellers should vet their potential realtor by asking the following questions:
-What home improvements need to be made to maximize profit?
-How will the agent market this home?
-Is the agent a full-time real estate agent? If not, how will this affect his or her ability to communicate and negotiate?
-What is the realtor’s communication plan?
-What systems or resources are available to support this process?
-What is the listing agent’s scope of knowledge on the neighborhood?
- Home sellers should address simple maintenance items before inspection and showings. They should clean windows, gutters, touch up paint, power wash exterior surfaces, replace worn fixtures, remove heavy window treatments, and add clear, bright bulbs to fixtures needing brightening. Sellers should also check on main systems like the HVAC.
- Home sellers should be aware of all closing costs they agree to cover in the transaction with the new homebuyer. They should ask their real estate agent about brokerage fees, prorated yearly property taxes, documentary stamps, recording fees, closing fees and others agreed on in the real estate contract.
When hiring a real estate professional to list a property, home sellers should keep these tips in mind. The great part about having a trusted professional is that home sellers can lean into their realtor for guidance in all these areas. To learn more about RE/MAX First, visit https://www.liveinokc.com.
