Selling your home can be an emotional roller coaster. If you have spent a long time in your current home, chances are you have created lots of memories within your space and celebrated many milestones. Leaving your current home can be bittersweet, even if you are ready to move. What it shouldn’t be is frustrating. Whether you are relocating to a new area, downsizing, moving to your dream home, or any combination of those things, selling your home should be a rewarding experience for you and your family. Take the worry and stress out of selling your property by following these home-selling tips.
Consider your ‘why’
Like buying your first home, selling your home requires careful planning and consideration. Success or failure depends on many factors, namely whether or not you are prepared before putting your home on the market. Before listing your home and setting a price, you need to take inventory of your goals and consider your ‘why.’ Why do you want to sell your home? Does your current home meet your size/space requirements? Is your current home in your ideal location? Does your current home serve your needs? If you cannot answer yes to any of those questions, you are one step closer to figuring out your 'why.'
Even beyond knowing the reasons for selling your home, you want to consider your main objectives for listing and selling your home. What does your timeline look like? How much do you need to net from the sale of your home? Do you need to sell your current house to afford your new home? These are all very important questions to take into consideration. Yet, ultimately, knowing your ‘why’ will keep you focused, no matter how stressful selling your home may get.
Hire the right agent to sell your home
Before listing your home, one of the most important things you can do to ensure a successful sale is to hire the right agent to sell your home. Whether you are working with someone you already know or searching for one of the area’s leading realtors, hiring a local expert is vital for selling your home for top dollar. So what are the essential qualities you should look for in an agent, and what do they do to get your home sold?
When searching for an agent, you should work with someone who understands your local market from the inside out. For example, if your property is located in Johnstown, you should work with an agent who specializes in
Johnstown, CO, real estate. You should also work with a real estate professional who will advocate for you through every step of the transaction, from the first meeting to the closing date. Your ideal real estate agent should represent you and prioritize the sale of your home. When speaking with prospective agents, ask as many questions as necessary to build rapport with your new agent. Here are some questions you should consider asking your agent:
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Are you familiar with the local real estate market?
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How many years of experience do you have as a real estate agent? If you are interviewing a newer agent, ask them if they work with a team of experienced agents and brokers. They can always utilize their expertise if there’s anything your agent doesn’t know yet.
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How will you market my home? Look for an agent with a clear-cut, affirmative marketing plan with proven results.
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How often will you provide updates on my listing? This isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. The idea is to be on the same page regarding how you communicate and how often. Most professional relationships break down due to a lack of communication.
This is, by no means, an exhaustive list. Feel free to ask as many questions that come to mind. Your agent should be happy to answer them. If your agent doesn’t know the answer to specific questions, they should be willing to find out that information for you and follow through. You and your agent should be on the same page when selling your home.
See things from a buyer’s perspective
Once you and your agent have agreed on a marketing plan and a listing price for your home, it’s time to put yourself in the shoes of your prospective buyers. Imagine your ideal buyer: What qualities are they looking for in a home? Do you have those qualities in your home? If buyers in your area want renovated kitchens and bathrooms, have those areas been updated since you purchased your home? While some buyers like retro touches throughout the home, they only want those touches if they are functional and period-appropriate if you have an older home. For example, if you have a house that was built in the 1920s or 1930s, having an original clawfoot tub can be a valuable asset in your home as long as the tub is in excellent condition. If not, that clawfoot tub can hinder your sale.
Above all else, buyers want clean, updated, and inviting spaces. As a seller, your job is to look through every inch of your home and determine whether your target demographic would find your home inviting. If not, you have work to do before putting your home on the market.
Prepare your home for the market
Once you have gone through your home, now is the time to prepare your property for the market. You and your listing agent will divide and conquer to get your home market ready. They will likely hire home stagers, photographers, and videographers to highlight your home's best features. You will also have work to do. Here are some of the easiest ways sellers can
prepare their homes for sale:
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Declutter and depersonalize every room of the house. Removing toys, pictures, stacks of books, and overly bulky items will help buyers better visualize the space
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Replace burnt-out light bulbs, outdated hardware, cracked outlet plates, etc.
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Give your rooms a fresh coat of paint
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Trim hedges and lawns to create more curb appeal
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Clean your house from top to bottom
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Eliminate any off-putting odors in the home
Remember, the goal is to make your buyer feel at home. The longer they want to stay in your home, the more they visualize moving in and submitting their best offer. By following these simple steps, you can sell your home faster and for more money, bringing you one step closer to accomplishing your real estate goals.
Are you ready to list your Johnstown luxury home? Are you searching for houses for sale in Johnstown, CO? Whether you are buying or selling your home, trust Christian Garcia to help you achieve your real estate goals. With over six years of industry experience, Christian is one of Johnstown’s leading industry experts. Contact Christian today for a free consultation.
