How to Get Top Dollar for your Home, Fast!

 Your home is likely your largest asset, so selling it may be the biggest financial move
you’ve ever made, one that requires significant thought and strategy. However, once
you’ve entered the market, the process may move very quickly: your property has the
best chance to sell within its first seven weeks on the market. Studies indicate that the
longer a property stays on the market, the less it will ultimately sell for. So, you need to
ensure you’re ahead of the game. Get your property into top selling shape before it hits
the market in order to increase its chances of selling within the desired window of time
and drawing top dollar.

Use the following tips to seize control of the home-selling process before you begin:

1. Establish the Reasons you Want to Sell your Home: 

These reasons will direct the path you take in the home-selling process. If, for
example, you have already purchased a new home and your goal is to make a
quick sale on your current home, this reason will chart your approach. If, on the
other hand, you aim to net the highest price possible for your home, you would
need to prepare yourself for a potentially slower process. Be clear about these
reasons, as they will directly influence the amount of time and effort you put into
preparing your home for sale, and the amount you set for your asking price.

2. Pricing: 

It is essential you list your property at a competitive market value right from the
start. The competitive nature of the market means that over-pricing by a few
thousand dollars could make the difference between your home selling quickly or
not selling at all. Overpricing your home could potentially yield the following
results: minimized offers, fewer showings, fewer agent responses, limited
financing, limited buyers qualified for your type of home, or a smaller net price.
You can avoid these outcomes by setting the price of your home at its market
value when you first list.

If you are unsatisfied with the current market value of your home and unwilling to
list it as such, consider putting off the sale of your home at this time.

3. Do your Homework: 

Perhaps the most “hands-on” approach to educating yourself about the nature of
the current market—what works and what doesn’t—is to explore other homes on
the market. Take advantage of Open Houses in your area, particularly in those
homes similar to your own. Take some notes. Observe floor plans, lot size,
appearance, location, and other features of the property. Then compare asking
prices. Go through this process before setting your own asking price. Remember: you want to get a selling price as close to your asking price as possible. And if
you want to attract this price quickly, you won’t accomplish this by setting your
price higher than your neighbour’s.

4. Decide Whether to Invest in an Appraisal: 

Getting an appraisal can be a positive or negative move, depending on the
outcome. It’s up to you to determine how it might fit into your personal plan.
Having an appraisal done can be a good marketing strategy, indicating to potential
buyers that your home can be financed, which will increase the chances that your
home will sell quickly and for more money. On the other hand, however, there’s
no guarantee you’ll like the final picture offered by the appraisal. Also, it’s one
more cost you’ll have to add to your budget, and an appraisal only lasts for a
limited period of time.

5. Choosing a Realtor: 

Your choice of Realtor will greatly influence your home-selling experience. For
better or for worse, this person will be with you every step of the way during one
of the largest financial ventures of your life—and will make a difference in the
speed with which your house is sold, and how much it sells for. Don’t take this
relationship lightly. You should consider a few Realtors before you narrow down
your choice. Of course, one of the initial factors to consider will be whether the
Realtor’s personality and enthusiasm is a fit for you and your family. Also, each
candidate should be able to provide you with information on the following areas:
the length of time s/he has been involved in residential real estate in your area, the
marketing strategy s/he would use to sell your home, details on other properties in
your area their company has sold (how much the property sold for and how long it
spent on the market), and his/her philosophy or method of negotiation. You
might want to request a reference list of former clients as well. Choose a few
names on the list and call them.

6. Cleanliness: 

Make no mistake, prospective Buyers will be turned off by even a minimal lack of
cleanliness, or an odour. Sellers may lose thousands of dollars if they fail to
thoroughly clean the house before they begin to show it. Begin by clearing the
house of excess junk, clutter, and furniture. Create more space. Make every
room sparkle. Eliminate odours. You may be the last to notice a peculiar odour
in your house, but it may be the first thing a potential Buyer notices. So, air out
your house prior to showing. Keep pets in the yard as much as possible, and send
any household smokers outside.

7. Access to your Home:

Agents will be more reluctant to show your home if it isn’t readily accessible.
They don’t want to waste their time running around, picking up and dropping off
keys. Rather, a key should be immediately available for agents at all times.

Also, go through the following last-minute list to prepare for showing your home:
keep all lights on, doors unlocked, and drapes and shutters open. If you can, leave
the house while it is being shown. Head to the local coffee shop, or take the kids
to the park. Prospective Buyers will feel more intrusive if the owner of the house
is present while they are viewing. If you can’t leave the house, be as unassuming
as possible.

8. Updated Interior: 

A fresh coat of paint may be one of your best investments when preparing your
home for the market. New paint can take years off the appearance of your home,
dramatically increasing its perceived value. Likewise, if your carpeting appears
worn, old, or is an outdated pattern, consider replacing it. The carpet or paint in
one room could be the difference between a successful sale and your home being
overlooked.

9. Drive-Up Appeal: 

If the buyer doesn’t like the outside of your house, s/he may choose to skip it
entirely. It is essential that your home possess a certain “drive-up appeal.”
Remember, a potential buyer’s first impression of your house is formed while
s/he is still sitting in the realtor’s car. Ensure the trees are trimmed, the
walkway swept, the lawn cut. Paint the door, and put out a new, plush door
mat. All of these little things will contribute to the overall effect of a well
cared-for and welcoming home.


Sincerely,
The Graham Pringle Team
www.lakesimcoeproperties.com
705-426-4663 or 800-465-7866