1. Make Your Home Shine
Even though we are
in a strong seller's market, you still need to make your home stand out
from the rest. A home that is clean, decluttered and looks beautiful in
pictures will get more traffic and ultimately more interest (and more
offers) than homes that need some "TLC". 
- Clean -- Make sure every nook and cranny is cleaned. If you don’t have new appliances, make sure the ones you have are spotless.
- Declutter -- Put away knickknacks and anything else that causes your house to have clutter. Start packing like you’re getting ready to move – because you are!
- Staging -- You don't need to hire a professional stager, but your agent can help you stage a room to make it look and feel more open and inviting.
- Curb Appeal -- First impressions are lasting. Put a lot of effort into the look of the exterior of the home.
2. Price it Correctly
Most sellers want to price their home above market value, so there is "wiggle room" for negotiations. In actuality, an overpriced home just dramatically lessens the demand for your house. The single most important factor to consider when selling a house is pricing the house correctly from the start. Here are some of the benefits of pricing your home at Fair Market Value:
- Exposure To More Buyers - Pricing at market value will open your home up to more people who can afford it.
- Higher Offers -- When a property is priced right, buyers are much less likely to make a low offer, for fear of losing out on a great deal.
- More Money To Sellers -- When a property is priced right, the excitement of the market produces a higher sales price in less time. You NET more due to the higher sales price and lower carrying costs.
- Faster Sale -- The proper price gets a faster sale, which means you save on mortgage payments, insurance, and other carrying costs.
- Less Inconvenience -- As you know, it takes a lot of time and energy to prepare your home for showings, keep the property clean, makes arrangements for children, and generally alter your lifestyle. Proper pricing shortens market time.
3. Hire a Real Estate Professional
Finally, the most important thing is to hire a REALTOR! When a homeowner decides to sell their house, they obviously want the best possible price with the least amount of hassles. However, for the vast majority of sellers, the most important result is to actually get the home SOLD. In order to accomplish all three goals, a seller should realize the importance of using a real estate professional.
A seasoned Listing Agent will:
- Price your property correctly based on a current market analysis.
- Market your property to the largest audience possible (through the MLS, the internet and via digital and printed marketing materials).
- Ensure your home appeals to the largest audience (through home staging and professional photography).
- Negotiate the best price, terms, conditions and other items with the Buyer’s Agent.
- Facilitate the entire transaction from start to finish and work to resolve any issues that come up during the process.
If you have questions about selling your home, do not hesitate to contact me!