Now that the time has come to sell your home, there are important steps to take before you accept the right offer. From staging your home to making repairs, there are lots of tips and tricks that can help make the process that much easier.
In this Redfin article, we’ll highlight 12 real estate tips to help you sell your home this year. Whether you’re selling your house in Austin, TX, or a condo in Chicago, IL, here’s what you need to know.
12 real estate tips for sellers
- Find the right listing agent
- Determine the best time to list your home
- Invest in professional photography and 3D walkthroughs
- Get a pre-listing home inspection and handle repairs
- Boost your curb appeal
- Declutter and depersonalize your space
- Stage your home
- Highlight your home’s best features
- Price your home strategically
- Keep your home show-ready
- Offer buyer incentives
- Respond to offers in a timely manner
1. Find the right listing agent
Probably the best real estate tip there is – find a dedicated, responsive, and knowledgeable real estate agent. A great listing agent is someone you can trust to guide you through every step of selling your home. Your agent will advise you on which repairs will help you sell your home, and make recommendations about decluttering, staging, and maximizing your curb appeal.
A listing agent shines the most when it comes time to negotiate an offer. The goal is to make sure you earn top dollar for your house and to sell it quickly. Your ideal real estate agent will have a strong understanding of local market trends and how to price and position your home accordingly.. Interview a few agents to find someone you can comfortably work well with and who will work hard for your goals.
2. Determine the best time to list your home
Usually spring, starting in March and April, is considered peak homebuying season. However, the best time to sell depends on the local housing market and your own timeline. A knowledgeable agent can help you review recent buyer trends and data in your area to help you decide if now is the time to sell your home. They can also advise about the best time to list your home to help generate the most interest.
3. Invest in professional photography and 3D walkthroughs
Professional photography is a great option to show your home in its best light. Homes listed with high-quality, professional images are known to sell quicker and for more money. A professional real estate photographer will capture each room at the best angle and highlight its best features.
Many real estate agents offer 3D tours of their listings. Virtual walkthroughs are a massive advantage for both buyers and sellers. Buyers can “shop” any time of the day or night, and sellers can “show” their house 24/7. It can also cut down on showings to only the serious buyers. If a buyer is genuinely interested, they will view the virtual walkthrough and then request a showing.
4. Get a pre-listing home inspection and handle repairs
It may be tempting to put off small repairs and let the next owner handle them. However, if you list your home without making repairs, potential buyers may be more inclined to offer below the asking price or ask for concessions during negotiations. Getting a pre-listing home inspection will give you an idea of what repairs you’ll need to make.
By fixing problems ahead of time, it can also give you peace of mind that no additional issues should arise during the closing process. Your buyer will likely want a home inspection, so a pre-listing inspection lets them know they shouldn’t expect any major issues.
5. Boost your curb appeal
First impressions matter when selling your home. Make sure to trim the lawn, pull any weeds, clean the windows, power-wash the siding, and touch up any chipped or peeling paint. Even small updates to your home’s exterior, like a seasonal wreath or fresh mulch can help your home stand out and draw buyers to tour your home.
6. Declutter and depersonalize your space
One of the easiest real estate tips to follow is to declutter your home. You want potential buyers to be looking at your home, not your belongings. Having your home appear move-in ready can help homebuyers see themselves in your space.
Of course, you’ll have items that you’ll need to use each day. Keep those accessible and out of sight if possible. Consider renting a storage unit to hold seasonal items, excess furniture, and extra decorative items until you move into your next place. Homes with minimal furniture and clutter will look clean, spacious, and appealing.
7. Stage your home to showcase its potential
Staging helps potential buyers connect emotionally with your home. Arrange furniture to highlight the layout and functionality of every room. Don’t skip adding fishing touches like a few throw pillows, fresh flowers, or a potted plant.
The purpose of staging is to show buyers the home’s potential. You want all the main rooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, bathrooms, and primary bedroom, to create the feeling that they are already home.
8. Highlight your home’s best features
Think about what makes your home unique to buyers. Does your home have custom crown molding or have you converted the basement into a game room? Does the home have a covered patio or recently upgraded appliances?
Use staging to your advantage to highlight these features. Make sure these features are showcased in the home’s listing description and on any marketing materials. Your agent should also bring attention to these features during home tours or open houses.
9. Price your home strategically
One of the biggest real estate tips to follow is pricing your home right. Your agent should be able to make informed recommendations about the right listing price.
- If your home is priced too high, it will likely sit on the market and may cause prospective buyers to second-guess its value.
- If your home is priced too low, you could leave money on the table and diminish the equity you’d bring to the purchase of your next home.
Your agent should run a comparative market analysis (CMA) to recommend a competitive price based on recent sales in your area.
10. Keep your home show-ready
When you list your home, it’s common for agents to call within hours regarding potential buyers who want to see your home. It’s easier to have an impromptu showing if you keep your home “show-ready.”
Before listing your home, do a deep clean of each room and maintain that cleanliness daily. This means vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, and eliminating unwanted odors so your home is always ready to impress.
11. Offer buyer incentives
In certain markets, offering incentives to potential buyers can make your home more appealing. For example, you can offer to cover closing costs, include a home warranty, or offer flexible move-in dates. These incentives can make your home stand out to potential buyers and maybe help sell it faster.
12. Respond to offers in a timely manner
Be respectful of all reasonable offers. You know what price you’ll accept and on what terms, including what you’d be willing to negotiate on if asked. Most contracts have a date to respond by, but there’s no reason you can’t respond sooner. Respond with a counteroffer or acceptance as soon as a good offer comes in.
Selling your first house isn’t easy. But with these 12 real estate tips, moving on to the next chapter in your life can be just as exciting.
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