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Tips for selling your home
Whether it’s job relocation, family situations or just the need to change, there are actually people leaving the Phoenix area. The way you present your property to prospective buyers can make all the difference. Here are some quick tips to help you make the home selling process faster and more profitable.
Pick the right Agent. Find a real estate agent that you respect and can work with. Agents that specialize in your area will be able to offer better advice on pricing your home. Choosing your friend who usually sells homes in Scottsdale may not be the best move if you live in Peoria, where the whole culture is different, as well as the home prices. Consider interviewing two agents to compare their marketing strategies and see who you feel most comfortable with.
The Price Must be Right. Enthusiastic home selling markets breed price inflation. In a rising market, these homes may sit on the market longer than others. Also, you may need to move beyond feeling that you should get dollar-for-dollar on every home addition, including pools and some over-the-top landscaping. “A pool doesn’t add the value that you pay for,” says Kathy Lund, with Daisy Mountain Real Estate. “If buyers want a pool, I suggest they buy a house with a pool already included.”
Turn up the curb appeal. At this time of year, yards can look a bit anemic because of frost damage. Replace those dead or sickly plants, and make sure the weeds are pulled. Add some potted flowers or flowering plants for extra color.
Get Exposure. Some realtors believe that homes sell faster when they get in the public eye. Ask your realtor to run ads for your property, have open houses and send mailers. Consider having a flier readily available in the home to point out the great things about your property that visiting realtors might miss.
Banish the clutter. One of the reasons models look so great is that there is zero clutter. Consider packing some of the items you don’t use and putting them neatly in the garage or (even better) in storage facilities. Remember that buyers like to open closets, so de-clutter them also – fold towels nicely, organize kitchen cupboards and remove hanging clothes you don’t use often to make closets look spacious. Consider keeping cupboards only about half full to give the feeling of spaciousness.
Take the smell test. If you have smokers, pets or kids, make sure your home is smell free. Several local real estate agents agreed that this was a major turn-off for buyers.
Wake up the Walls. A new paint job may be the best thing you can do to spruce up the look of your home. Neutral colors are usually best, but brighter colors in some rooms may be ok. That pink bedroom your daughter loves may not show well to potential buyers. Get your realtor’s opinion on whether you should repaint some of those more original paint jobs. Also, check the outside home for paint health. Even exterior paint in homes that are 5 years old can show signs of needing a new coat.
And, right before the buyers visit: Turn on the lights, even in the daytime, and make sure curtains are open. Make sure all dirty dishes are hidden and the kitchen counters are spotless. Make sure bathrooms smell nice and cultured marble countertops shine.
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