Selling A Home

Real Estate Broker Locator

First of all, decide whether to enlist the help of a realtor.  While selling your home on your own will save you money, it can cost you in time.  If you have a busy life and don't have lots of time and effort to devote to selling your home, putting the task into the capable hands of a realtor is probably the way to go.

You must determine the value of your home and set an asking price at the beginning of the process.  It's very important that this figure is accurate.  If you set your price too high, your home may be on the market for much longer than you would like it to be.  If you set it too low, you won't get what you deserve for your home.  If you have a realtor, he will be able to tell you, based on similar homes recently sold in the area, what your asking price should be.  But regardless of whether you use a realtor, it doesn't hurt to educate yourself.  You can do some homework yourself by visiting Zillow.com or going to your local town hall and seeing what similar homes in your area have recently sold for.  This will give you a good idea of what the market will bear.

Before you list your home, you should get it into selling shape.  This means making it as attractive to potential buyers as possible.  There's a good chance that there are many similar homes for sale in your area, and your goal is to get yours to stand out among the others.

Start at the curb.  Did you know that most potential buyers make a judgment on your house driving down the road?  That's right — first impressions are important, and you only have a few seconds to make one.  Make sure your yard is neat and clean, and all walkways are clear.  Remove toys and debris from both the front and side yards.  If you have a front porch, make sure it is uncluttered and neatly painted.  Shutters and trim should be in good shape, and your house's paint job should look good.  Be sure the area around your home is well-lit at night, as potential buyers will drive by when it's dark, too.

Next, move into the interior of your home.  Start with a nice, deep clean.  Be sure to shampoo the carpets, especially if you have pets.  All homes have odors, and you want to make sure that yours aren't offensive.  If you aren't sure, ask a friend or family member for an honest opinion.  Be sure to clean floors and dust the corners.  And don't forget to clean lighting fixtures.  Doing so will give your rooms a brighter appearance.

While you don't want to spend a fortune getting your home ready to sell, you may need to drop a little cash to get it into fighting shape.  Anything that's broken, dangerous, or seriously outdated should be replaced.  You also won't appreciate any surprises once the buyer signs a purchase agreement.  Have an inspector come through and examine the major parts of the home, such as the roof and heating, electrical, and plumbing systems.  If there is anything wrong with these things, you can choose to fix them or lower your asking price.

Finally, present your home in the best possible light to potential buyers.  Remove clutter and excess furniture to make rooms seem larger, as well as personal items such as family photographs and collections.  You want the buyer to be able to imagine himself and his family living in your home, and your personal items can sometimes get in the way of that goal.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website has a helpful section about selling a home, and the Realtor.com website has some good home seller tips, whether you are working with a Realtor® or selling your home yourself.  With the right plan of attack, selling your home can be a quick, painless, and financially rewarding experience.

Home Selling Guide - Selling A Home