Trying to sell a home on your own can be difficult. You need to take professional-quality pictures, write an engaging description, set a reasonable price, and hope for the best. Now, imagine setting an asking price that resonates with buyers in your neighborhood, so many people will see your house, and fall in love with it. They'll make bids over the list price, and there will be an offer before you know it. Why sell your home at a loss, when you can sell them for top dollar? In this episode, I will show you 7 steps to sell your home quickly and profitably. Welcome back to my channel. I am Nagaraj Annaiah, your local Bay Area tech realtor. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments below.
Know your home's value before you list
While preparing to sell your home, it is important to make sure you don't unduly raise the price. It’s easy to get caught up in the emotion surrounding the sale of your home, and you want to do it well. But if you don’t know the true value of your home, then you may overvalue it or undervalue it. Therefore, the first step is to find the fair value of your home in your area before listing with any realtor and getting feedback on a walk-through. Just visit: nagarajhomes.com and click on the 'free home evaluation' button. I have access to information about recent sales in your area and will be familiar with properties like yours. I will be happy to advise you on how much your property might be worth in today’s market.
Make needed updates and repairs
You want to make sure that any updates and repairs are complete before listing your home. These could be things like fixing leaky faucets, replacing worn carpeting, painting walls with neutral colors or replacing old light fixtures. Even something as simple as updating the doorknob on a front door can make a big difference in the eyes of potential buyers. Replacing cracked windows or doors is essential because they can be major red flags to inspectors.
Go through your house
Next, you’ll want to go through your house and complete a thorough inspection.
Go through everything in your home and make note of anything you aren’t 100% happy with. Even if the issues sound minor to you, a buyer may see them as a major red flag.
First, check all the electrical systems in your house. Then, check on all of the plumbing, air conditioner, windows and doors, water heater and roof. Don’t miss checking your garage door and driveway. Next, check out any major appliances that are included in the sale of the home, like the oven or washer/dryer. You’ll want to make sure that everything is in good working order before putting it up for sale.
Finally, head into the basement/crawlspace/attic to take a look around for possible leaks or mold anywhere underground or behind walls. Take time to double-check all security features too: smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and fire extinguishers.
Consider hiring a professional to do updates and repairs
You should consider hiring a professional to do updates and repairs. Professionals are trained and have experience with the work you’re trying to do yourself. Don’t worry about doing it wrong, you just don’t have the know-how or equipment to fully complete a job. Working with a professional can save you time and money in the long run, and it will lead to a better sale.
Make sure your home is ready for photographs
You’ll want to make sure your home is ready for the photographers. The photographs that will be included in the MLS listing (and other advertisements) are what will attract buyers to come see in person. At this stage, you’re essentially a marketer and photographer’s assistant; taking care of the small details to make sure the property is shown in its best light. Here are some common-sense tips:
Make sure your windows are clean inside and out, letting in as much natural light into the house.
Make your beds and put away toiletries, toothbrushes, etc..
Take down pictures of family members or pets. Personal touches can add warmth but may distract potential buyers from seeing themselves living there.
Put away valuables such as jewelry, cash or other important documents in a safe place.
Remove pets from the house when it’s being shown. Some people have allergies or just don’t like animals.
Remove trash and dirty dishes.
Declutter your home's interior and exterior
You need to tidy every nook and cranny.
Cleaning the floors isn’t enough. The dust needs to be cleaned, as well as the windows, blinds, light fixtures and fans. Bathrooms and kitchens must be spotless. Carpets should be professionally cleaned, and old carpets replaced. Closets and garages need to be organized—you want buyers to see how much space they’ll have to store their stuff in.
Remove as much clutter from rooms as possible by selling or donating extra furniture, toys and clothes. Keep only the essentials - less really is more!
Make sure each room is well lit with fresh light bulbs, open blinds and add additional lighting if necessary. Remember, the brighter the better!
Focus on showing off the best features of your home, like hardwood floors and high ceilings, rather than trying to distract buyers from minor flaws like dated fixtures or small rooms by over-decorating them.
When cleaning your home for showings, keep in mind that some air fresheners can be too strong for potential buyers so try to avoid using excessive amounts of air freshener or candles/plug-in air fresheners. Manage the selling timeline so you can move out quickly
Make sure all of your items are packed and ready for moving day. If you haven’t found a new home, consider renting a storage unit to store your belongings so that you have room to move around when showing your house. Remember, there may be more than one buyer interested in purchasing your home. Keeping all items well-packed and organized will help you move out quickly if you need to, and help keep stress levels low as well!
Conclusion
It is not uncommon for real estate to sell quite fast when priced properly, presented well and marketed effectively. Make sure you have a plan for where you will live next, set your expectations, be ready to negotiate, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Here is where realtors like me can come in handy. I will help you avoid common mistakes like high listing fees, expensive and lengthy repairs, and ensure the whole process of home selling is smooth as silk. Let me be your guide who can sell your home quickly and profitably. Don't let your home stay on the market longer than it needs to be. Quick sale or top dollar, I am the Jeeves you are looking for, so you can focus on what matters most: moving into your next home! Text me now to schedule a free consultation. If you've watched the video this far, please do 'like' the video and subscribe to my channel for more real estate updates on the Bay Area. See you soon in my next video.