Top Price Selling Secret #10: The right price
This principle is very simple: Find the fair market value of your home, then take 15 to 20 percent off that price. In no time you’ll have a heard of potential buyers with multiple bids ready to bid up the price over what it’s worth. This works in any market, believe me. Though it's still the best strategy to sell a home in today’s market most sellers don’t have the guts to do it...do you?
Top Price Selling Secret #9: Keep those closets half empty
If you take half the stuff out of your closets and neatly organize what’s left you’ll give buyers something they are always looking for - storage space. Also, keep all your closets and cabinets neat and clean.
Top Price Selling Secret #8: Let there be light
After the location of the home, good lighting is the one thing every buyer says they want in a new home. Lose the drapes, clean the windows, get new lampshades, get higher wattage light bulbs and make sure the bushes outside are cut to let in the sunshine.
Top Price Selling Secret #7: Play the field
Please, take your time in choosing the right agent for your home sale. Someone who is totally informed and well versed in the market is absolutely essential. One who will constantly monitor the multiple listing services (MLS), and know the properties in your neighborhood. A real tech-savvy agent can utilize numerous avenues to get the top price for your home.
Top Price Selling Secret #6: Lose the pets - for now
Truth is many people do not like pets in the home and the last thing you want to do is alienate half your potential buyers with a dog or cat. Walking into a home and seeing a dog food bowl full of food, the smell of a kitty litter box or seeing pet hair stuck to their clothes after sitting down is not a good impression. Have someone take your pets during a showing and clean well.
Top Price Selling Secret #5: Do not overdo the fix-ups
The truth is that quick fix-ups often pay off well in home sales but the large costly makeovers rarely do. If you engage in a huge improvement project before you put your house on the market it's unlikely you’ll ever recoup the money you spent on the project. Your much better off to do smaller updates that in the long run will help you get the top dollar for your home. Covering the walls with a fresh coat of paint or replacing the curtains with some new inexpensive ones are examples of updates that cost little but can pay out a lot in the sale of your home.
Top Price Selling Secret #4: A generic home sells better
De-personalizing your home is one of the real keys to selling. Buyers need to be able to picture themselves in the home and too many personal items in the home clutter up their vision. Store at least a third of the stuff you have. Take down family photos, memorabilia collections, and all personal keepsakes. Another good idea is hiring what's called a home stager who can help maximize the look of your home. They do this by arranging furniture in a way that best showcases the layout and maximizes the space.
Top Price Selling Secret #3: First things first - the kitchen
Think about it this way - you are really selling the kitchen, not the home. When it comes to selling your home remodeling your kitchen is key and you’ll likely get 80% of your money back. It could cost just a couple thousand dollars to replace countertops that a potential buyer would ask to take $10,000 off the asking price if it wasn't done. Painting and new cabinet hardware are two of the easiest and least expensive kitchen improvements. To present buyers with a blank canvas so they can envision their own style paint with neutral colors.
Top Price Selling Secret #2: The show must go on
Be ready at all times to show your home because the right buyer could walk through the door at any moment. Your ‘show ready’ home simply must be available at any time they want to come to see the place and it must be in top condition. No dishes in the sink, empty dishwasher, bathrooms sparkling and no dust bunnies under the couch. Sure it's inconvenient, but this strategy will sell your home.
Top Price Selling Secret #1: You only have one chance to make a first impression
By the time potential buyers have gotten inside your home, they have already judged it from the exterior view. You got one shot at a good first impression. People need to feel warm, safe and welcome walking up to the house. Sprucing up with inexpensive shrubs and brightly colored flowers can typically get a 100-percent payback on the cash put into your home’s curb appeal. Use entryways as another welcoming station with a small bench, some fresh-cut flowers in a vase or even some cookies.