10 Rules Every Home Seller Needs to Know

 1. The appraiser will not save you.

No matter what you do, sometimes you will not get the appraisal number you are wanting.  The appraise will not budge from the final assessment or else they may risk losing their license for being anything but impartial. If you do get a low appraisal, talk to your realtor about options. 

2. Not everything in your home needs to be upgraded.

Think about small, easy upgrades you can make that won’t break the bank and give you ROI (Return on Your Investment).  Talk with a home stager and have them give you a list of items that can have the most impact.  Start with simple fixes like cabinet knobs, light fixtures, vent covers, etc.  And fresh paint is NEVER a bad idea.  

3. Home staging matters; if you can’t declutter, consider moving out.

Buyer’s need to imagine themselves in your home.  Your home’s decor may be your ideal style, but it likely
is not the buyer’s.  Focus on keeping your home’s staging as clean and simple as possible.  If you think it
will be difficult to keep things cleaned up (can the kids REALLY pick up their legos?), consider moving out. Clutter and mess will not sell your home…or at least, it definitely won’t get you top dollar.

4. Plan early and then stick to it.

Prioritize the things that will sell your home and get them done.  Stay focused on the bottom line.  Do what
your need to do to sell your home for the most amount of money in the least amount of time.  Ask your Realtor or Home Stager for a detailed list to help you stay on track.  

5. Your curb appeal matters.

Most often, the front exterior of your home is the FIRST photo any buyer will see.  They will stay on this photo for mere seconds before they decide if they will look further or move on to another listing.  Seconds - that is all the time you have to make your curb appeal stand out enough to make a buyer click on your listing for more information.  

6. Your home’s listing needs to stay updated and fresh.  

Over the last 2 years, most of us have become spoiled with homes selling at lightning speed.  But right
now, homes are staying on the market a little longer.  Make sure your listing stays relevant.  If you listed your home in late fall and it is still on the market in winter snow, make sure you have a new cover photo with the snowy exterior.  If you have updated your home, make sure your listing reflects it.  Don’t hesitate to include small things too.  Think about how you can make your home more enticing to buyers.  It is only a matter of time before the right buyer comes along.

7. Buyer’s hate losing

No one wants to miss out on their dream home.  When it comes to a life-altering purchase, most buyers will do anything if it is reasonable.  Think about how you can give them that win.  Think about what you love about your home?  What makes your home stand out from your neighbors?  Use this information to make your home stand out against the competition.

8. Home inspections kill deals.

Take care of any problems now or you may lose the deal.  At the very least, it will save you the headache down the road.  

9. You will be sick and tired of real estate by the time it is all done

Selling your home takes time.  Even if you were able to get a wonderful offer on the first weekend, you still have to go through inspection, appraisal, and any other contingencies the buyer’s (or buyer’s lenders) may have.  There are a lot of “cooks in the kitchen” and it can get old really fast.  Check your email often and keep your eye on the prize.  Remember you are not the only one that has gone through this.  

10.  A professional can help

It is simple.  The pros know the ins and outs of the real estate market.  They do it every day.  There are simply too many things that go into selling your home for someone to know without daily experience.  A professional will make your home selling process easier.  If you do decide to sell on your own, be sure to consider if the money saved is worth all of the extra time and effort it will take to sell your home…and don’t forget about liability.  If may cost more than you like, but a professional will make your life easier during this time.