The 5 things you need to know before trying to sell your home
If you’re deciding to sell your home, here are 5 things to know before you put it on the market:
1) Showroom had better be clean!
I’m talking clean enough to eat off the ground. Consider paying someone to help you with this, because every inch, down to the smallest detail, needs to be clean. Also, depersonalize it! Save your photos and clean all your stuff, no one wants to see all that junk!
2) Fix what is broken!
I don’t recommend making big money upgrades… but I do recommend fixing all the ‘little things’. Lamps, door knobs, holes in the walls, paint chips, electrical outlets, cabinet doors and hinges, light bulbs, etc… Check the house and fix these things, it makes a difference.
3) The price is right, please come down!
A big mistake I see is houses that are priced too high up front. Ask yourself, is there something super special about my house compared to all the others? Now do a comparable analysis on what else is currently for sale. This is your competition. Most people will look for houses that are a ‘better deal’. It’s quite possible that buyers are overlooking your home just because it’s priced too high, and you just missed that opportunity! You have to be the best deal in the area, the most ‘bang for your buck’.
4) Attractive curve.
Yes, curb appeal. A very attractive and welcoming entrance can make the difference in the sale of your house. This is where it’s okay to spend a few bucks. From the street to the front door, it should look and feel good. Make sure your garden is tidy and feels “new” and fresh.
5) Market, market, market!
If you’ve done the first 4 items correctly, this is the one that will sell your house fast. We suggest using 5 marketing sources simultaneously to achieve maximum results. Unfortunately, I don’t see this being done correctly. An example of our marketing plan for one of our homes is: MLS, V-Flyers, Craigslist EVERY DAY, 20-30 billboards every weekend in the neighborhood, a 24-hour pre-recorded informational message line, photos of a professional photographer, a video tour featured on YouTube and other sites, social media updates on all major boards, and network marketing using word of mouth and leveraging sales reps.
If you are using a real estate agent, I suggest you find the top 5 in your area and interview all of them asking them to show you their marketing plan. **The one that gives you the highest list price is NOT always the best option.
I hope this helps! Prepping a home can be hard work, but when done right, it can pay off big. If you want a premium price for your house, you had better do these things right to compete with other houses. Put the effort into it, and then be patient.
If you just want to sell your house fast and are willing to offer a discount, you can always find a company like mine that buys as is for cash. Just google it. 😉