Important Things to Know Before You Sell Your Home. The time has come to move on from your home. The reasons could be anything like relocation, moving to a bigger place, downsizing to a smaller one, or just going back to renting. It could be a stressful time as you want the selling process to be smooth sailing. Having realistic expectations can take off some of the stress and anxiety. Once you’ve made the decision to sell, there are several factors to consider as you jump into listing on the market.
Be Cognizant of Costs
With the right listing price and buyer, you’ll be making good money for your home. Be sure to factor in things like seller costs when coming up with a listing price or negotiating terms with a buyer so you don’t have any unnecessary losses of cash.
Crunching the numbers with a seller closing costs calculator can help.
Keep in mind that not all that you earn from the sale will be going with you. A chunk of it goes to all the professionals who helped you with the sale.
Research Your Broker
Odds are, you hunted down a stellar agent when looking to buy your home. You want to do the same when it comes to selling.
You want an informed broker who is constantly monitoring the multiple listing services. They will know what properties are going on the market and what the comps in the neighborhood are.
Less is More
When it comes to showing a house, you should be decluttering your living areas. Do a clean sweep of counters, windowsills, tables, and all other visible areas. Tidy up closets, drawers, and cupboards, as curious buyers may open a door or two. Keep kitchen counters free of gadgets and unnecessary utensils.
Potential buyers want to see that there’s ample storage space in the home and can realize the interior’s full potential if there are fewer things laying about.
Depersonalize It
As you’re decluttering, pay attention to very personal or distracting elements that are laying about, such as photographs or bold artwork and furniture. Magnets on the refrigerators, personal photos, and wall hangings are best taken out.
This helps potential buyers envision what their life could be like in the house.
Shine Bright
A major factor for many a buyer is the type of light a house gets. Remove drapes and lampshades, clean windows, and trim any exterior light blockers around the outside of the property. Let the sunlight in and showcase your home as airy and bright.
Making a home bright and cheery makes it more sellable.
Do A Smell Test
Homes have a distinct smell. When it’s your home, it’s one you’re used to.
Invite a third party into the house to see if they detect any sort of odd or unpleasant order you may not be aware of. It can be as simple as a smell pets leave behind, or indicative of an underlying problem.
Spray room fresheners, clean and vacuum carpets with fresheners which will attract potential buyers.
You Need to Consider Curb Appeal
They say it’s important to make a first impression, and it’s no different when it comes to your home.
Buyers place a lot of stock in what a house looks like the second they pull up to it, so making its exterior appealing is important.
This can be done with minor improvements such as planting flowers or repainting the front door. Make the porch look inviting with patio furniture and accents.
It Can Get Emotional
You most likely spent a lot of time and energy not only living in the home but initially looking for and purchasing it. It’s easy to form an emotional attachment to the property, so remember that selling it could take a toll emotionally – and that’s ok.
If you look at the transaction as a purely financial one, it helps separate yourself emotionally.
Thanks for reading and have a good day!
Pin Me!
These are great tips! We old our home several years ago and we did most of what you mentioned. Our previous house had huge windows and that was a nice advantage from bringing in natural light to welcome new potential tenants. We also changed out the carpets as the owners before us had pets. That also made a huge difference in how the interior of the house looked.
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
very important to me as well. we think a lot about it and looking forward to changing our home sometime next year (not this one, we have a major change on the way, it doesn't seam wise to things up)
I agree that it's so important to declutter your home before you sell it. It will make it look more spacious to potential buyers!
Lol!! I love the smell test. I've got a neighbour whose food smells infiltrate my home almost everyday so I'll need to air the place before putting it up for sale.
These are some great tips one should follow while selling home. It is such a hassle to sell and buy property but i am sure following these tips one can eliminate few hassles
I've not actually sold a house before. I do agree with getting rid of clutter as that can help with a sale. Making rooms look larger makes a home more desirable.
Houses are selling fast around us. We haven't sold anywhere since we moved in 2001 but these are great tips! Especially the clean spaces! I cannot tell you how many places we looked at buying houses with cluttered mess!
Having to let go of a home or even anything that one has an emotional attachment to can be difficult. It's nice to see that was included here. Great tips.
These are really great reminders. I agree with you that it's important that you depersonalize it. As much as possible, leave no trace and just the basics. Lights and smell always also details that shouldn't be taken forgranted.
A very helpful and important post, Nisha! ❤️ Buying and/or selling a home can be a stressful time, but with the right help, the process is a whole lot better! Finding agents and brokers that are *honest* is one of the keys, for sure. You need someone truly on your side.
I love your tip about letting the light in. That's very true! Even if your home doesn't have tons of natural light; these tips can still help to maximize it. I also wholeheartedly agree with less is more. The potential buyers will want to see themselves in your space - not seeing you in it! Depersonalizing and de-cluttering definitely helps them imagine their new life!
And oh my goodness yes about the smells! We do become 'nose-blind' to the scent in our own spaces. Having a 2nd opinion nose is very helpful. 🙂
Sending you so much love, my friend! I pray you & your family are well! ❤️
Thank you so much Holly, great point about having a honest broker by your side.It really makes a huge difference. So true about the smells we get so used to it that it's a great idea to have a second opinion. We are doing fine just a little busier due to my fulltime job that I took up recently.Hope you are doing fine and best wishes to you .