Sell Your House
So, you've decided to sell your house? You may have heard that it's a buyer's market but don't be discouraged-it's also a good market for sellers if you handle it right!
When you sell your house, your success depends on the presentation. Curb appeal is the most important improvement you can make; if the outside of the house is appealing it will make potential buyers stop and want to see the inside. Think about what catches your eye when you're driving through a neighborhood and apply it to your own home. Flowerbeds, attractive shrubbery, nicely edged walkways and a manicured lawn will give a strong impression of a well-kept property that is clean, neat and friendly. Invest in some attractive furniture for your porch, a potted plant or two on the steps and some attractive window treatments.
An empty house always sells more quickly than one that is occupied. This is because when you buy a house that is empty you can easily picture all their possessions in the rooms and see decorating schemes in their mind’s eye. They can imagine themselves occupying the house instead of feeling like intruders. If at all possible, move your family and possessions out before showing the house. If that is not manageable, arrange to be off the premises during showings and remove all the personal things that you possibly can.
When you sell your house you want a fair price and even in today's market that is a realistic goal. You will first want to consult a real estate agent or go online to see the prices the surrounding properties have been selling at. This is called "comping", or comparison pricing. If a similar house in your neighborhood has sold for $200,000, yours will probably not get much more than that unless you have some significant upgrades. You may have a sauna, a new kitchen or a new bathroom that raises the value of the house and if someone is willing to pay a higher price for those amenities, you'll recoup your investment.
Spending a few hundred dollars can raise the selling price of your house by thousands. Updating your bathroom with a new vanity and sink or re-tiling your shower are two things that will help sell your house for the best price. If you don’t have a dishwasher but were thinking of getting one, go ahead! Kitchen conveniences can raise the selling price of a house and pay for themselves. Investing in new carpeting, even the cheapest Berber in a neutral color, can make your house more appealing to potential buyers.
Finally, be open to negotiation. Many buyers are swayed by your leaving certain pieces of furniture, window treatments, laundry amenities or other items they may see on the property. Nearly every buyer can be tipped toward buying if you offer to pay the closing costs!
The decision to sell your house means new opportunities as well as new challenges. You can make it a positive and profitable move with the right information and the right decisions!