There are several key factors involved in selling your home. Many parts are involved with executing a successful listing, and we want you to be educated and empowered before you start. Keep reading to learn our top 4 tips for preparing to sell. 

1. Understand Market Conditions

The real estate market is in constant flux, not only as a whole but in particular areas as well. Knowing what is going on in the overall and local real estate markets will help you understand how these conditions can affect the sale of your home. 

• Buyers Market: The supply of homes on the market exceeds demand. There is high inventory of homes, few buyers compared to availability, and homes stay on the market longer. Buyers spend more time looking for a home, and when they negotiate, they usually have more leverage. Prices are stable or perhaps dropping. 

• Sellers Market: The number of potential buyers exceeds the supply of homes on the market. There is a smaller inventory of homes with many buyers. Homes sell quickly. Prices usually increase. Buying decisions must be made quickly. Conditional offers may be rejected.  Prices may be higher or perhaps climbing.

• Balanced Market: The number of homes on the market is roughly equal to the demand. Demand equals supply. Sellers accept reasonable offers. Homes sell within a reasonable time period. There is less tension among buyers and sellers. There is a reasonable number of homes to choose from. Prices generally remain stable.

Get to know our expert team who has experienced every kind of market condition here.

2. Home Improvement Tips

Selling your house as-is is almost never a good idea. There’s always some way to spruce up your property, even if it’s as simple as a fresh coat of paint or new lighting. Investing in repairs and even renos can help you significantly increase the sale price. The following checklist can help you think of what can be done to increase your home’s curb appeal and help it stand out.

Exterior

• Keep lawns cut
• Trim hedges and bushes
• Weed and edge gardens
• Clear driveway and clean stains
• Clean out garage
• Power wash home exterior
• Touch up paint
• Plant colorful flowers

At The Front Door

• Clean porch and foyer
• Ensure door bell works
• Repair any broken screens
• Fresh paint or varnish front door
• Repair any damages to the door and/or locks

Setting the Right Mood

• Make sure your home smells fresh and clean
• Turn on lights
• Turn on air conditioner/heater
• Open the drapes
• Light the fireplace

Maximize Open Space

• Clear halls and stairs of clutter
• Clear kitchen counter and stove top
• Clear closets of unnecessary items
• Remove empty boxes and storage
• Put away personal photos so buyers can envision the house as theirs

Maintenance

• Repair leaking taps and toilets
• Clean furnace and filters
• Tighten door knobs and latches
• Repair cracked plaster
• Apply fresh coat of pain or touch up where necessary
• Clean and repair windows
• Repair seals around tubs and basins
• Replace defective light bulbs
• Oil squeaking doors
• Repair squeaking floor boards
• Squeaky Clean
• Clean and freshen bathrooms
• Clean fridge and stove
• Clean around heating vents
• Clean washer and dryer
• Clean carpets, drapes and window blinds
• Eliminate pet odors and stains

Book a home evaluation here to find out what your property is really worth.

3. Arrange Showings 

You need to be flexible during this step. Simply put, the more availability you have, the more showings can happen, and the more buyers will see your place. This translates to more offers with quality terms. Your listing agent will prepare an engaging feature sheet so people visiting your home won’t miss any of the important highlights.

Your options for showings are:

The Open House

While hosting open houses can be a bit disruptive (you should be out of the house, pets should be out of the house, and they’re most effective during evenings and weekends), more people get to see your house compared to private viewings. 

The Viewing

Scheduled viewings are nice because a single buyer will visit your house with their agent, and you get notified before each one, and can choose to say no. While viewings are less invasive, it can prolong the process. 

Learn about our sophisticated selling process here.

4. Closing the Sale

Closing is a time of packing and organization. Be sure you do not pack anything that you agreed to sell! Unless you specifically mentioned certain fixtures, everything must remain in place. You are responsible for handing over the home in the same condition it was at the time of closing. This applies to everything that was in the agreement. 

If the home suffers a major disaster, you are responsible for telling the buyer, at which point the buyer may walk away from the deal and have the deposit returned. The buyer may also choose to close and receive any insurance proceeds. In this unfortunate event, remember not to make any repairs until you find out what the buyer wants to do.

Book a meeting to start the conversation about selling your property here.

Working with a real estate team that has seen it all and done it all empowers your market position. You’ll have a helping hand through every step of your sale, and experts on your side who are used to navigating complex scenarios successfully. Reach out to Team Rajpal to get more information or start planning your sale today.

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