Tips For Selling Your Home - TIP # 5

Tip # 5

Documentation

YES! Now is the time to go through your old file cabinets, attics, and pretty much any furniture covered in dust and try to find as much paperwork as you can on the house. A lot of buyers are interested in the house’s history, the floor plan, any blue prints, upgrades etc.

Having your paperwork in order is appealing for clients. It allows them to get to know your home better. And it provides proof on your behalf that the home is in fact well maintained.

Remember, you may have a huge selling point hidden in somewhere in all that paperwork!

Tips For Selling Your Home - TIP # 4

Tip # 4

Do a pretend walk-through

As someone selling his or her house, it is important to view the home from the buyer’s perspective.

Try your best to enter your house as if it is completely brand new to you. I would suggest by starting to drive/walk up to your driveway. You might be able to view the house’s exterior aesthetics better. Or maybe able to see a very noticeable crack in the wall that needs some minor repair. As you walk through the home, analyze everything: Paint, carpet, counter tops, cabinets. If you see minor things that are out of place, fix them immediately. There are little details that can put-off a buyer like a broken door knob, hair on the carpet, dirt on shelves etc.

You can notice things better when you try to be someone else. It is not really aesthetics that matter, think of your home on a larger scale. Location? History? Upgrades? Security? Put yourself completely in the buyer’s shoe and analyze well!

Tips For Selling Your Home - TIP # 3

Tip # 3

Marketing!

When hiring a realtor to sell your house? An important question to ask them is “how are you going to market my home?”

Since I work for Coldwell Banker, the company provides several resources to its realtors on marketing a house. They are also well affiliated with 3^rd party companies like Trulia or Zillow.

So I guess when hiring a realtor, the company they are from may matter. However, I know many realtors, not affiliated with big companies that are extremely successful. It’s really all about how much you make with what you got.

A typical advertising media is Social Media. It has definitely become an increasing trend to advertise using social media, and a realtor makes use of this platform immensely, along with other typical forms of online advertising like craigslist. Additionally, “open houses” are great events to get the word out to the public that there is a home being sold in the neighborhood.  

Tips For Selling Your Home - TIP # 2

Tip # 2

How much is my Home worth? Research!

If you would like to educate yourself a little bit on current prices, simply access any home searching website like Trulia or Zillow and look at current home prices in your neighborhood with the same number of rooms and property description. It will give you a better idea of what your home is worth.

According to USAToday, “Best sites to determine your home’s value”, is Trulia and Realtor.com.

Typically, once you hire a realtor they will be the ones providing you with a CMA (Comparative Market Analysis) using the MLS (which gives more exact and up-to-date figures), and you should have peace of mind knowing that your realtor is answering all your questions. When a realtor is providing you a price on the home, they are also taking into account their experience, and current knowledge of the market. This is why it is necessary to get an “expert’s opinion”.  

I read on some websites that customers should hire “several” realtors and see which one gives the best price on the home. I would definitely NOT advice that. Let’s say another realtor says your home is worth $5000 more than the price I gave. But you should ask WHY would he say that? And when your own little research online using Trulia and Zillow and see comparable homes are not the same price as your realtor provided, you know there is a problem.

A good realtor backs up all his numbers with proper reports. And provides a price well fitted for the current state of the market (without being too optimistic or too pessimistic on it).

Tips For Selling Your Home - TIP # 1

For my new posts I decided to talk a little about selling your home. I am sure you must have already heard a ton of advice and feedback about selling your home. In that case, I am simply adding to your knowledge. For those who have no clue about selling your home, don't worry, I keep my language as simple and clear as possible.

Tip # 1 For Selling Your Home/Listing Your Home

Find a Realtor!

I know that is a very biased tip because I AM a realtor. But it will truly benefit you. I say this because as a realtor, I have access to the MLS (also known as multiple listing service).  The MLS is sort of a real estate database with plenty of information. This assists the agent in compiling a CMA (comparative market analysis) report for you on the house’s pricing history and a report on houses that are comparable to yours and what they are selling for. As a realtor, I can provide you official up-to-date numbers.

More importantly, realtors have "experience" in selling homes. 

"Homes" are my business. So I make sure to do my best.

I would suggest when looking for a realtor, view their ratings, or ask for their references. Also ask your realtor what you should expect as their client.