Are you planning to sell your house?
Many experienced sellers will probably tell you that selling is not in the same arena as buying. The experience is quite different, so if this is new territory for you, you need to be armed with as much information as possible.
Overall, when it comes to selling your home, you are essentially in control. You decide on the state of your home when it goes on the market, you decide on the price it goes for, and you either accept or reject offers.
However, house buyers today are fussier and so sellers find themselves spending a lot more time and money on getting their homes in order.
What’s more, you’re likely to know at least one person who has had a sale go horribly wrong because they were misinformed or tried to do it themselves without help. Thanks to Seeff’s expert tips, you can avoid all the drama and enjoy a smooth selling experience.
Here are Seeff’s 5 expert tips for first-time sellers:
1. Set a realistic selling priceWhen it comes to pricing your property, you don’t want to go in too high.
Hire an experienced, reputable property valuation expert who can assess the value of your property, and also offer tips on improving the value of the property before the sale.
Price your home realistically from the start. Now that many, if not most, buyers are viewing properties online, you want to take advantage of this by setting a realistic price from the beginning. Dramatic changes in price in short periods make potential buyers uneasy.
When doing your final home maintenance, put your hard-earned money where it counts and adds the most value. This usually includes a fresh lick of paint and new carpets in neutral colours. The general rule of thumb is to put your money towards changes that will make the property look good when it’s on the market, and avoid changes like putting in expensive, high-end floors and other changes that don’t fit the general look of the neighbourhood. During this phase, make sure that all your appliances and systems are in good working order. Your property assessor will take these things into account when doing their valuation. The smallest area could cost you your sale, so conduct these checks and repairs well in advance to avoid any issues.
3. De-clutterIf you’re a first-time seller, you’re likely to have a fairly small home, so cosy can easily become cramped if not kept in check.
A de-cluttered home is essential when your house is on the market. Make it easy for potential buyers who go on a tour of the house to picture living in the space.
Neutral colours, clear spaces and minimal décor will help a great deal here. Consider moving some larger furniture items into storage to empty the home a little.
When discussing final prices, you may be required to negotiate on offers. Keep in mind what’s most important to you when this phase kicks in: getting your first asking price? A fast closing time? You will need to think about all these things when offers start coming in.
Your property agent will play a big role here to help you evaluate and respond to every offer on your property.
At the same time, decide on what you won’t compromise on when it comes to the sale. Whether it’s the closing date or the closing costs, decide beforehand to avoid unnecessary haggling.
Lastly, first time sellers are going to need all the help they can get. Get the help of a professional real estate agent in your area.
While it might be tempting to try and cut costs by selling your first house without professional assistance, you want to do it right the first time. You won’t regret it.
Your agent has experience and knowledge that will be the key to making the right sale. When you have the right agent who has your best interests at heart, they can be a real asset. Ask for referrals from friends and family who have sold their houses recently and shop around for someone you can trust. Need a little help or more information? That’s what we’re here for. Contact your nearest Seeff branch to set up an appointment to chat about your selling needs.
All the best for your first-time sale!