Your home is probably the biggest investment that you will ever make – so when it comes time to sell, you want to make sure that you maximize your return on that investment. Of course, a lot of this will be down to market conditions – for instance, house prices are only starting to recover now after the financial crisis of 2008 – but there are lots of things that you can do to get the best price no matter what the economic environment.
To start with, you want to make sure you have someone on your side who knows how to value your home properly and sell it effectively. While you may think that it is a good idea to try to save money by selling your home yourself, a good local real estate agent can add many thousands of dollars to the sale price – more than compensating for the commission that you have to pay them. Talk to other people you know who have sold their house recently and ask them for recommendations. Then, talk to these agents – ask them how they would go about selling your home, and get them to give you examples of other houses they have sold recently in your area.
Once you have picked out a good real estate agent, then you need to give your home maximum appeal. It needs to look attractive and well maintained, but it’s also important that your personal taste doesn’t turn off prospective buyers. Make sure that your garden is well manicured, and that any external issues are taken care of – for example, give your window frames a new coat of paint if they are starting to peel, clean out your gutters, and repair any problems with your roof. Inside, consider painting your rooms a light, neutral color, particularly if the current color is unusual or garish. Of course, it goes without saying that your house has to be tidy, but you also need to avoid clutter – for instance, if you have too much furniture, put some of it in storage.
Develop a strategy to get as many potential buyers as possible to see your home – this will generate more offers and usually a better final price. Make sure that your agent advertises your house online and in the local media to maximize exposure. Also, run a number of open house events where people can drop in without an appointment and look around. Let people know about the open house – for example, put up a big banner in the street a few days beforehand. You can order these from online suppliers such as www.bannerstandpros.com.
Finally, unless you are in a hurry to sell, don’t just take the first offer that comes along. When you do get an offer, give yourself several days to consider it – other offers may come in in the meantime. Even if you are comfortable with the price, consider making a higher counteroffer. The worst that can happen is that it will be rejected – in which case, you can try to strike a compromise.