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Having a home on the market isn’t a full-time job, bit it can seem like one. If you want to get your home sold as quickly as possible, and for the best price possible, there are some things that you, and only you, can do.
Having a home on the market can be a stressful and time consuming process, but we want you to be aware of ten things you can do to help get your home sold for the best possible price in the least possible time:
1. Keep up the property appeal.
Given all that time and energy you spent detailing, cleaning , and even maybe staging your home for the initial marketing push, you don’t want to put it to waste by allowing the appeal of the property to decline over time. Try to keep the home in the best showing condition possible: keep the house free of clutter, do the dishes every night, mow the lawn, keep the whole place clean. You should wake up every morning thinking, “This is the day that my buyer is going to come for a showing.”
2. Make the home available whenever possible.
Although it’s not possible to make the home available for show 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you should try to be available for showings at all possible times. You never know when your potential buyer is going to be available. And if you have certain challenges for showings (rambunctious pets , guests, etc.), try to minimize their effect on your availability.
3. Keep up with the market.
Keep track of what’s happening in the market, so that your pricing and marketing stay competitive as the market changes. Make sure to read your weekly email market update, and if possible go look at the competition on the market to see what buyers are going to be comparing to your home.
4. Be pleasant and upbeat with buyers you meet.
You’d be surprised how many sellers undermine their chances of selling their home by being difficult or disagreeable with potential buyers. Anyone who walks through the door is a potential buyer, so try to be upbeat and positive with them. If they like you, they’ll be more likely to give your home a fair chance. And ultimately, they will be easier to work with if they make an offer.
5. Don’t reveal anything to buyer agents.
Be careful in speaking directly with buyer agents. Be pleasant and helpful, but don’t reveal anything about your negotiability, your desire to close, or your timeframe. As they say on television cop shows, “Anything you say can and will be used against you” in a negotiation. Refer all questions to your agent.
6. “Manage” Your Property.
Your agent is in charge of the project of selling your home, but you’re the only person capable of being the “on-site ” manager of the property. Be sure to let your agent know if any problems come up with your listing: if the sign comes down, if you’re not going to be able to show it for a period of time, or if there is some damage to the property that would undermine the showing condition (i.e., a tree falls in the yard). If the problem is something we can correct, or help you correct, we’ll do so quickly.
7. Be proactive about getting ready to close.
When we do get offers, be quick to respond and communicate counter-offers through your agent. And while you’re on the market, get everything you need ready for your attorney: your deed, your tax bills, and any other legal documents relating to your purchase.
8. Don’t stress, or at least don’t communicate stress.
Buyers can sense when a seller is getting anxious, and take it as a sign of desperation. Your posture when you meet with buyers or buyer agents viewing the home should always be that you love the home, you hate to leave, and you’re not anxious to sell.
9. Let people know you’re selling.
Let your friends, family, work colleagues, and anyone else know that your home is for sale. You never know whether a friend of a friend is looking to move into your neighborhood. If you’re on Facebook, make an announcement about selling your home, with a link to your listing. Although very few homes sell from such word of mouth, since serious buyers are already looking for homes with agents or on the internet, it can’t hurt. (We understand you might be squeamish about telling people you’re selling, or revealing what your home is selling for, but remember that most people find out anyway, and home sales are public records).
10. Keep in touch with your agent.
Your Better Homes and Gardens Rand Realty agent is your best resource for information and advice about the market, and should be your shoulder to lean on. Your agent should be in consistent communication with you as often as you want, but don’t let too much time go by without getting in touch, even if it’s just for a quick update or a short conversation. The more communication, the better.
