The Selling Process

Pricing a home to sell

Market the property

Homes are worth what the local market conditions will bear
Price appropriately and measure price against the competition
Pricing the home too high may reduce the number of interested buyers
Pricing the home too low may create skepticism and raise unwanted questions about the home’s value
The longer a home stays on the market, the deeper the discount may have to be off the original price
Use research and data

REALTORS provide explanations of market data and a comparative market analysis that includes:

Sales price for similar nearby homes recently sold
Prices for homes currently on and off the market
Making a home move-in ready for prospective buyers

Look at homes objectively and think like a buyer

Make it comfortable for buyers to see themselves moving in
Think about ways to make the home more appealing – the less buyers have to change to move in, the more the home may appeal to them
Give potential buyers a “blank canvas” – let them see themselves adding their own flair
Consider repainting bold or bright colored walls – remove specialty wallpaper and replace with neutral colors
Freshen up, make repairs and pay attention to detail

Consider cleaning, de-cluttering, removing personal items like pictures, making cosmetic repairs, etc.
Front yards and doors are key to making good first impressions
Messiness or wear and tear on the outside gives the impression that the inside may not be cared for
Consider tidying up the house for potential homebuyers by
Removing clutter and clearing off counters
Washing windows and screens
Wiping off fingerprints from light switch plates
Mopping and waxing floors
Clearing the stove and refrigerator/freezer
Polishing doorknobs and address numbers
Cleaning carpeting and drapes to eliminate cooking odors, smoke or pet smells
Opening windows to air out the house
Organizing the garage – lets buyers picture their cars in the space
Scrubbing the grout and tile in the bathroom
Putting out fresh towels, a new shower curtain and guest soaps
Arranging closets to show off their space