How to Get Top Dollar for Your Home!
How to Price Your Home to Sell Fast and Get Top Dollar
Every seller wants to sell their property quickly while getting as much money for it as possible. With a little effort, it’s not hard to accomplish. It takes some research, resolve and the right real estate agent.
The Right Price
The most important factor is pricing your home correctly from the start. Sure, you can list a home for less than its market value and sell it quickly, but most people aren’t in such desperate need to sell that they’ll take less money. What you want to avoid is overpricing your home and then frequently reducing the price. When a new listing comes on the market, the greatest number of potential buyers view that listing within a few days. If the house is priced too high, those buyers aren’t coming to your door. A fairly priced house brings buyer traffic. Your real estate agent should know the local market and, through comparative market analysis, come up with the right selling price for your property.
Move-In Condition
Before putting your house up for sale, make it look as inviting as possible. That means cleaning, de-cluttering, fresh and neutral paint jobs where necessary and making any needed repairs. If it’s broken, fix it. First impressions are crucial, so enhance the home’s curb appeal with flowering plants, fresh mulch and carefully trimmed landscaping. Your goal is to have the best-looking house in your price range, in move-in condition for a buyer. You may want to spring for an inspector beforehand so anything you miss is pointed out, and there won’t be any unpleasant – and possibly deal-breaking – surprises for the buyer.
Check Out the Competition
Before listing your house, check out similar homes currently for sale. If possible, do more than just take an online tour and visit the open houses. See what these properties have, or don’t have, compared to your home. You’ll also want to seek out homes like yours that have sold recently, including their particular features and sale price. If you see a home comparable in type and price to yours that has been on the market for some time, ask your agent why he or she thinks the house is not moving, and how you might avoid the situation.
Consider an Appraisal
Appraisals are usually paid for by the buyer after making an offer. However, there’s no reason, if you are willing to spend the money, that you can’t hire an appraiser beforehand and find out exactly what your house is worth and price it accordingly. The appraisal is also a handy document to have on hand when buyers make offers.
Appeal to the Right Demographic
You can’t know who will eventually buy your home, but you can usually make a good guess on the demographic based on the type of dwelling and neighborhood. A single person might want a four-bedroom house, for example, but you’re more likely to attract a family with school-age children. Target your sale to the most likely sort of buyer. For families, tout a great school district in your ads. If your property is likely to appeal for first-time buyers, who may feel strapped for cash, mention the home warranty protection or some other amenity they will appreciate.
Contact Us
If you’re looking to buy or sell a home or find a rental property, you need a knowledgeable, experienced realtor. Contact Island Realty Group LLC at 808-689-7407 or IslandRealtyGroup@irghi.com.
