As a homeowner getting ready to sell your property, it can be tough to know where to start. Whether you’re ready to move into a bigger house for your growing family, downsize to a smaller place or relocate to a different part of the country, the process of selling a house is one that requires work. Thankfully, the more work you do, including finding an agent to list your home and increasing your curb appeal, the more you’ll increase your chances of attracting serious buyers willing to pay top dollar for your house.
Below is a helpful guide on how to sell your home for top dollar.
Work with the experts
It’s important to work with someone who has the insight and knowledge of your community’s real estate market. To get the most out of your home’s sale, you’ll benefit from professional help and guidance.
Having a real estate agent will make it much easier to time your sale, set the right price and to prepare your listing for the public. Think of your agent as a guide who can help you make the right decisions.
Your agent can help you schedule a pre-market consultation on your home to help you prepare it for sale. To schedule your appointment, click here.
Time your sale
When you list your home can affect what it sells for. According to The Mortgage Reports, the best time to sell your home in most areas is in the spring. Historically, homes listed during that time have sold faster and for higher prices. Spring is when buyer demand and inventory typically peaks, so this is one of the most competitive seasons.
This would be a good time to choose a title company. In Michigan, the seller chooses the title company to do the title search and perform the closing. Our title company, Capital Title, is one of the largest and most thorough title companies in Michigan. Ask your agent to tell you more about Capital Title and why you should select them.
Set the right price
Figuring out the right price to list your home can be difficult. You want to make the most money and sell it at the highest price. However, you also want to attract buyers and sell your home quickly. This step is where having a good agent is essential.
Ask your agent to complete a comparative market analysis (CMA). This will show what similar properties in the area have sold for recently and can give you insight on what best to price your home at. Our agents offer complementary CMAs and you can compare CMAs from multiple agents before you decide on who to sell with.
Don’t be afraid to negotiate
As a seller, the best way to negotiate for a better offer is to have multiple bidders on your property. With multiple bids, have your real estate agent reach out and ask for their “best and final” offers.
The highest offer might not always be the best deal. As a seller, you should pay attention to the contingencies that are included in that offer. These protect the buyer by allowing them to back out of the deal under specific circumstances, which can be dependent on financing, appraisals, home inspection, or the sale of the buyer’s current home.
Make a great first impression
No matter how good the interior of your home looks, buyers have already judged your home before they walk in the door. You only have one chance to make a first impression, so make it a great one. As they approach your home, you want to make your home an inviting, warm and welcome environment. Making inexpensive cosmetic improvements to the outside of your home can have a great impact on your curb appeal. Painting the front door, updating your light fixtures, cleaning up your yard and planting a few new plants help to set the tone. For more curb appeal tricks, check out our selling guide from The Weekender.
Entryways are also important. It’s a utility space for your coat and keys, but your entryway is the first view your prospective buyers have of the interior of your home. When you’re selling, make it more welcoming by adding a vase of fresh-cut flowers, tidying your shoes or even some cookies.
Be transparent with buyers
Finally, the best way to increase your buyer’s confidence when selling your home is to be as transparent as possible. You should present them with as much legitimate information in regards to the house as possible. From receipts and warranties on remodels or appliances to any significant damage to the home that was repaired, you can leave little room for doubt.
Another way to raise your buyer’s confidence is to consider pre-appraisals and pre-inspections. A pre-appraisal will help you establish a firm and reasonable listing price, while a pre-inspection will shed light on any problems that could reduce the value of your home. By conducting these before showing your home, you will be able to confidently present the buyer with a solid listing price.
Stuck on your sale? We can help you make your move. As Michigan’s largest and leading real estate company, we’re like no other. Our custom solutions are built to solve problems in every market. Contact us and we can help you with some selling solutions.
