Top 10 Ways for Home Sellers to Get the Best Price

Getting a Nice Return on Your Time and Money Invested

Homeowner shakes hand with Realtor who got their home sold.

If you are planning to sell your home, you want to make sure you get the best possible price for it and earn a nice return on any improvements and repairs Here are ten of the best tips that can help you increase the value of your property, attract more buyers, and net you the most at closing of escrow. 

Getting Ready to Sell

1. Declutter and depersonalize your space. Remove any unnecessary items and personal belongings that might distract or deter potential buyers. You want them to imagine themselves living in your home, not you.

2. Make small repairs and improvements. Fix any issues that might affect the functionality or appearance of your home, such as leaky faucets, cracked tiles, or peeling paint. You can also upgrade some features that can boost your home’s appeal, such as lighting fixtures, hardware, or flooring.

3. Enhance your curb appeal. The first impression is crucial when selling your home, so make sure your exterior looks inviting and well-maintained. You can do some landscaping with splashes of yellow or red annuals, cleaning the sidewalks, driveway, house, and roof, and/or painting as needed. 

4 .Hire a reputable and experienced real estate agent. A good agent can help you with every step of the selling process, from preparing the home for sale, pricing and marketing, to handing you a nice check for your equity at closing. They can also advise you on all the the paperwork and deal with any issues that invariably arise.

Getting on the Market

5. Hire a professional photographer and stager. A good photographer and stager can showcase your home’s best features and make it look more spacious, bright, and attractive. They can also help you create a real video tour, like we did on this home, that can reach more online buyers. A great listing agent will hire a professional photographer and be your staging advisor. 

6. Price your home realistically and competitively. Do some market research and consult with your real estate agent to determine the optimal price for your home. You don’t want to overprice or underprice your home, as both can hurt your chances of selling quickly and profitably.

7. Hire an agent who will market your home effectively and widely. Use multiple channels and platforms to advertise your home, such as social media, online listings, flyers, signs, or word-of-mouth. You can also leverage your network and ask for referrals from friends, family, or neighbors. 

Getting a Buyer Under Contract to Purchase

8. Plan ahead and be ready to move. Selling your home can be a stressful and emotional experience, so make sure you have a plan for your next move. Start packing early, arrange for storage or transportation, and notify your utility providers and other relevant parties of your change of address.

 

9. Be flexible and accommodating with showings and open houses. The more people who see your home, the more likely you are to receive offers. Try to accommodate as many requests as possible and be prepared to show your home at different times of the day or week.

10. Once you receive an offer, don’t accept or reject it right away. Review it carefully and consider the terms and conditions, not just the price. Work with your Realtor to negotiate smartly and respectfully. Experienced agents know how to navigate these waters, no matter the offer terms, to your best benefit. You can make a counteroffer or ask for concessions if needed. Be respectful and courteous with the buyer and try to reach a win-win situation.

 

Thomas Scott, Realtor®
Thomas Scott REALTOR®, GRI®

Additional Home Owner Resources

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Home Remodeling for Seniors with Disabilities

As seniors age, they may face a number of physical disabilities that can limit their daily activities. This can make it difficult for them to perform necessary tasks such as cooking and cleaning around the house. Fortunately, many home remodeling solutions are available to help seniors with disabilities improve their quality of life. This guide provides helpful advice on how to make home renovations for seniors with disabilities, from installing accessibility features to choosing the right materials. With these tips, seniors with disabilities can create a home environment that is safe and comfortable for their needs.

Home Sellers Also Should Hire a Home Inspector

One idea is to hire a home inspector about a month before the home goes on the market, then use his report as a punch list of things to repair. Once the repairs are completed, the home inspector will come back for a nominal fee, check those items, and update the report. This accomplishes two things. Homeowners have no surprises when the buyer comes back with their inspection results and the clean inspection report can be included in the MLS showing buyers that the home is in good condition. Even if a few items are not repaired, disclosing this to buyers sets everyone’s expectations correctly and everyone sails through the inspection period.

Florida Homeowners Insurance Update

The homeowners insurance industry is currently going through some fairly major changes here in Florida and I wanted to provide some highlights as to what is occurring. There are multiple things in play that are impacting the state as a whole. The article linked below explains exactly what is going on.