WHY ARE YOU SELLING?
Your motivation to sell helps determine factors such as what your asking price is and how much time, money and effort you're willing to invest in order to prepare your home for the sale. If you are looking for a quick sale, maybe just to relocate, you might take a different approcah then if you were looking for a maximum payout, where you might spend extra time and money to upgrade the house before selling.
BEFORE YOUR REALTOR ADVISES YOU ON WHAT THEY THINK THE HOUSE IS WORTH, COME UP WITH A PRICE FOR YOURSELF FIRST. SEE IF YOU ARE BOTH ON THE SAME PAGE.
Take a look at recent sales in your neighborhood that are comparable to your home to give you a good idea of what your home is worth. Make sure to compare with properties that are similar in square footage, number of bedrooms, garage, basement developement and style of house. Dont compare your house to a bunglaow if its a two storey. Do some Home shopping yourself. Go to open houses in your area to compare condition, appearance, size of lot, and other features. .
This should start giving you an idea of what you want for your house. When you meet with your realtor, they will be able to provide you with not only asking prices, but what the homes are actually selling for. A home is worth what someone will pay for it. Remember, if you're serious about getting your home sold fast, don't price it higher than your neighbor's.
Sometimes an appraisel can benefit you in marketing your home. Getting an appraisal is a way to let buyers know what the home can be financed for. However, an appraisal does cost money, has a limited life, and there?s no guarantee you?ll like the figure you hear.
USING A REALTOR
According to the National Association of Realtors, nearly two-thirds of the people surveyed who sell their own homes say they wouldn't do it again themselves. Reasons included setting the right price, marketing and advertising, liability concerns, time constraints and dealing with showings.
A Realtor® knows the market and has information on past sales, current listings, a marketing plan, and will provide their background and references.
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ROOM TO NEGOTIATE
Before deciding your asking price make sure you leave yourself enough room in which to bargain. In almost every case a buyer will come in with an offer on the property, and will want to negotiate a price. At the same time, you need to make sure the price is not too high. Otherwise it will be un-desireable to people and they may not want to see it at all.
APPEARANCES OF THE HOME MATTER
The look and "feel" of your home will generate a greater emotional response than any other factor. Prospective buyers react to what they see, hear, feel, and smell even though you may have priced your home to sell.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make is rely soley on your own judgment. Don't be shy about seeking the honest opinions of others. Your Realtor® will be happy to discuss what should be done to make your home more marketable.
Scrub, scour, tidy up, straighten, get rid of the clutter, declare war on dust, repair squeaks, the light switch that doesn't work, and the tiny crack in the bathroom mirror because these can be deal-killers and you'll never know what turns buyers off. Remember, you're not just competing with other resale homes, but brand-new ones as well.
DEADLINES CREATE A DISADVANTAGE
Don't try to sell by a certain date. This adds unnecessary pressure and is a serious disadvantage in negotiations.
IF A LOW OFFER COMES IN- DONT TAKE IT PERSONALLY
In most cases the initial offer is below what both you and the buyer knows he'll pay for your property. Don't take it personally, evaluate the offer objectively. This can simply provide a starting point from which you can negotiate.
You can counter a low offer or even an offer that?s just under your asking price. This lets the buyer know that the first offer isn?t seen as being a serious one. Now you?ll be negotiating only with buyers with serious offers.
