Sellers
Preparing to sell for more
Declutter. Again.
Clearing clutter is a simple and effective way to “add square footage” to your home. At first, the task might seem overwhelming but focusing on one room at a time will make it easier to manage. Start by “prepacking” all trinkets, framed photos and other items not essential for day-to-day living. Keep a large box handy for donations and set a goal to fill it. If able, rent a space to store your belongings. Rooms will instantly appear bigger to prospective buyers and make them feel like they’re getting a deal.
Paint Your Front Door
Your front door is a staple of your home’s exterior and it’s appearance can impact your bottom line. Try adding a fresh coat of paint to revive the current colour or consider an on-trend colour to maximize buying appeal. Include a stylish area rug or welcome mat to make a lasting first impression on potential buyers.
Clean the windows
Showcase your homes natural lighting (the 2nd most important feature to buyers) and supercharge curb appeal by giving your windows the works. Clear cobwebs from screens, carefully scrape stray paint with a straight edge razor blade, dust blinds, wipe down glass, and throw drapes in the washing machine. And if they aren’t washing-machine safe, it’s time for new ones!
Light Landscaping
A well-maintained landscape can surge your home’s value by as much as 10%! Spend a day weeding, mowing the lawn, and swapping dead flowers for live ones. Freshen the mulch and throw in a charming lawn ornament or two. Just make sure to leave room for a ‘SOLD’ sign — you’ll need it after the buyers hand you a check for your asking price!
Instant access to the ‘Sell For More’ guide
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Selling your home is never an easy process, which is why you’ll want to do everything in your power to not only attract buyers but to boost the value of your home. While there are plenty of things that you can do to properly prepare your house for the market, there are a few mistakes that could end up costing you money that you’ll want to avoid. Here are seven of the most costliest mistakes that home sellers make:
Overpricing
Sellers tend to overestimate the value of their home and with costly consequences. Buyers do their research and can easily spot an overpriced home. Scaring away potential buyers can leave your home sitting on the market for months unsold, losing value as a result. Overpricing nets you less money with added stress and worry.
Avoiding minor repairs
You might be tempted to ignore minor repair work because it’s more of a hassle than anything else. But if you do so, you risk making a poor impression on potential buyers. For example, a buyer might notice a loose doorknob or a faulty light switch. While these can be easily fixed, it will hurt the overall impression they have of your home. Don’t ignore your home’s minor repair needs.
Not decluttering your home
Not only does clutter make your house feel dirty, it can make it feel smaller than it is. The last thing you want is for a buyer to feel cramped in your house, especially if they are looking for a spacious home to invest in.
Showing an empty house
If you move out before you sell, make sure that you have your home staged. An empty house is more difficult for buyers to feel comfortable in and it makes it difficult for them to imagine themselves living there.
Not putting effort into your listing
Many potential buyers look through real estate listings before deciding to visit in person. If you don’t make a good impression with your listing, you could miss out on potential buyers.
Becoming too emotionally attached
Some sellers become too attached to their homes, which makes it difficult for them to negotiate. If you’re unwilling to negotiate, you may have issues trying to sell.
Not using a real estate agent
A real estate agent can help you price your home properly and make adjustments should the market change, stage your home, advertise and market your home, effectively negotiate your price and conditions in an offer situation, as well as answer difficult questions in the selling process, ie. multiple bid situations. Using a real estate agent is a no-brainer.
Choosing An Agent
Do your Research
The first thing you’ll want to do when choosing an agent is to look at their past listings, selling history, reviews, and a list of their credentials and education. It’s important to make sure you’re working with an agent who’s knowledgeable and up-to-date on real estate news and market trends!
Speak to References
Once you’ve completed your research, ask your prospective agent for a list of references. Nothing will give you more peace of mind than speaking to a multitude of happy clients!
Ask Questions
The next step in choosing an agent is to learn about their experience in the neighbourhood, their skills, strategy, and how they negotiate single or multiple offers. These questions will help you select the right candidate while allowing you to feel more comfortable with them.
Professionalism
Opt for a full time agent experienced in completing deals similar to yours. It’s also essential that they answer your calls promptly and are 100% invested in your home search. Before you begin, make sure to ask how much time they will have for you and if they are available outside of office hours.
Someone You Can Trust
After all of the interviews and reference checks, it’s important to pick someone who you get along with! Whether you’re buying or selling, the process of moving can be stressful, so find someone who really listens and genuinely wants to help you in every step of the journey.
Preparing to sell for more
Declutter. Again.
Clearing clutter is a simple and effective way to “add square footage” to your home. At first, the task might seem overwhelming but focusing on one room at a time will make it easier to manage. Start by “prepacking” all trinkets, framed photos and other items not essential for day-to-day living. Keep a large box handy for donations and set a goal to fill it. If able, rent a space to store your belongings. Rooms will instantly appear bigger to prospective buyers and make them feel like they’re getting a deal.
Paint Your Front Door
Your front door is a staple of your home’s exterior and it’s appearance can impact your bottom line. Try adding a fresh coat of paint to revive the current colour or consider an on-trend colour to maximize buying appeal. Include a stylish area rug or welcome mat to make a lasting first impression on potential buyers.
Clean the windows
Showcase your homes natural lighting (the 2nd most important feature to buyers) and supercharge curb appeal by giving your windows the works. Clear cobwebs from screens, carefully scrape stray paint with a straight edge razor blade, dust blinds, wipe down glass, and throw drapes in the washing machine. And if they aren’t washing-machine safe, it’s time for new ones!
Light Landscaping
A well-maintained landscape can surge your home’s value by as much as 10%! Spend a day weeding, mowing the lawn, and swapping dead flowers for live ones. Freshen the mulch and throw in a charming lawn ornament or two. Just make sure to leave room for a ‘SOLD’ sign — you’ll need it after the buyers hand you a check for your asking price!
Instant access to the ‘Sell For More’ guide
Avoiding Costly Mistakes
Selling your home is never an easy process, which is why you’ll want to do everything in your power to not only attract buyers but to boost the value of your home. While there are plenty of things that you can do to properly prepare your house for the market, there are a few mistakes that could end up costing you money that you’ll want to avoid. Here are seven of the most costliest mistakes that home sellers make:
Overpricing
Sellers tend to overestimate the value of their home and with costly consequences. Buyers do their research and can easily spot an overpriced home. Scaring away potential buyers can leave your home sitting on the market for months unsold, losing value as a result. Overpricing nets you less money with added stress and worry.
Avoiding minor repairs
You might be tempted to ignore minor repair work because it’s more of a hassle than anything else. But if you do so, you risk making a poor impression on potential buyers. For example, a buyer might notice a loose doorknob or a faulty light switch. While these can be easily fixed, it will hurt the overall impression they have of your home. Don’t ignore your home’s minor repair needs.
Not decluttering your home
Not only does clutter make your house feel dirty, it can make it feel smaller than it is. The last thing you want is for a buyer to feel cramped in your house, especially if they are looking for a spacious home to invest in.
Showing an empty house
If you move out before you sell, make sure that you have your home staged. An empty house is more difficult for buyers to feel comfortable in and it makes it difficult for them to imagine themselves living there.
Not putting effort into your listing
Many potential buyers look through real estate listings before deciding to visit in person. If you don’t make a good impression with your listing, you could miss out on potential buyers.
Becoming too emotionally attached
Some sellers become too attached to their homes, which makes it difficult for them to negotiate. If you’re unwilling to negotiate, you may have issues trying to sell.
Not using a real estate agent
A real estate agent can help you price your home properly and make adjustments should the market change, stage your home, advertise and market your home, effectively negotiate your price and conditions in an offer situation, as well as answer difficult questions in the selling process, ie. multiple bid situations. Using a real estate agent is a no-brainer.
Choosing An Agent
Do your Research
The first thing you’ll want to do when choosing an agent is to look at their past listings, selling history, reviews, and a list of their credentials and education. It’s important to make sure you’re working with an agent who’s knowledgeable and up-to-date on real estate news and market trends!
Speak to References
Once you’ve completed your research, ask your prospective agent for a list of references. Nothing will give you more peace of mind than speaking to a multitude of happy clients!
Ask Questions
The next step in choosing an agent is to learn about their experience in the neighbourhood, their skills, strategy, and how they negotiate single or multiple offers. These questions will help you select the right candidate while allowing you to feel more comfortable with them.
Professionalism
Opt for a full time agent experienced in completing deals similar to yours. It’s also essential that they answer your calls promptly and are 100% invested in your home search. Before you begin, make sure to ask how much time they will have for you and if they are available outside of office hours.
Someone You Can Trust
After all of the interviews and reference checks, it’s important to pick someone who you get along with! Whether you’re buying or selling, the process of moving can be stressful, so find someone who really listens and genuinely wants to help you in every step of the journey.