How To Be A Competitive Home Seller

Are you planning to sell your home and want to get a lot of buyers interested in your property? If so, you will want to start early and prepare ahead! Even though there is still a strong demand for homes, there is more inventory available and more competition from other home sellers. The homes that sell quickly and for the most money are move-in ready homes, so getting your home into the best condition possible is key. There are also tips and tricks for accurately setting the price, marketing the property correctly, and negotiating terms carefully with buyers. When you list your home for sale, you want it to stand out against other listings and beat the competition. Here are some points on how to be a competitive home seller.

Preparation Phase

1. Understand the Market: Start watching your local market to see what prices homes are selling for, how quickly they are selling, and how attractive your specific neighborhood is to buyers.
2. Catch Up On Repairs: Check your home for any repairs you’ve let go and begin catching up on them and getting them taken care of.
3. Declutter and Depersonalize: Remove personal items, like family photos, and put excessive furniture (and other items) in storage to declutter rooms.

Pre-List Phase

1. Hire a Skilled Realtor: Choose an experienced agent who knows your area and has a proven track record with listing and marketing homes.
2. Set the Right Price: Price your home competitively (with the help of your realtor) based on comparable sales, current market conditions, and property appraisals.
3. Prepare for Your Next Step: Know your estimated proceeds, where you will move to, and if you will need financing or any other contingency.

Home Presentation

1. Enhance Curb Appeal: Spruce up the landscaping, clean the exterior, and ensure the front entrance is inviting.
2. Update Key Features: Make small updates like fresh paint, modern light fixtures, or new hardware to give a polished look.
3. Stage Your Home: Professionally stage your home, or arrange furniture and decor to highlight your home’s best features.
4. Deep Clean: Ensure every room is spotless, including carpets, windows, bathrooms, and less noticed areas, such as vents and ceiling fans. 

Marketing Strategy (Make Sure Your Realtor Does These!)

1. Professional Photography: Use high-quality images of interior, exterior, and aerial views to showcase your home in the best light online.
2. Create a Virtual Tour: Offer a 3D virtual tour or a full video tour of the home to attract remote buyers.
3. Write a Compelling Listing: Highlight unique features and upgrades in your home, plus nearby amenities, in your property description.
4. Utilize Social Media and Ads: Promote your listing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube with targeted ads.

Showcasing Your Home

1. Be Flexible with Showings: Accommodate buyers’ schedules for maximum exposure and offer an alternate time if you have to decline a showing.
2. Provide Detailed Information: Offer documents like HOA rules, recent utility bills, and home warranties to answer buyer questions upfront.
3. Highlight Special Features: If you have things like gourmet appliances, energy-efficient windows, or solar panel systems, leave information out for buyers to review.
4. Get Showing Ready: Before each showing, touch up the details like fluffing pillows, putting dishes away, wiping down surfaces, and so on. 

Choosing An Offer

1. Be Open to Negotiation: Stay flexible on price, contingencies, and closing timelines to secure the best offer.
2. Offer Incentives: Consider offering perks like covering repair costs, a home warranty, or a flexible move-in date if necessary.
3. Respond Quickly: Act promptly to inquiries/offers from buyer’s agents, and set an offer deadline with a time/date for your response.

Transaction and Closing

1. Keep Communication Open: Stay in communication with your realtor and respond quickly with any documents or signatures needed for the transaction.
2. Be Reasonable: Be willing to make reasonable adjustments to the contract terms to keep the transaction moving forward.
3. Work with Professionals: Collaborate closely with your home-selling team – realtor, title company, and lender – for a smooth closing process.

A successful home sale takes time and preparation. It doesn’t usually happen by chance. Start early by talking with your real estate professional for guidance on every step. By preparing thoroughly and presenting your home in the best light, you’ll position yourself as a competitive seller in any market.

Schedule your free seller’s consultation HERE!