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What Your Selling Agent Wants You To Know
When you decide it's time to sell your home, you need an experienced listing agent to make it happen. Our real estate agents work with eager sellers and eager buyers, but complications often slow down the process. Before you list your home, consider these important tips that will help you get top dollar and a faster sale.
Create a Welcoming Home
Anyone in real estate will tell you that first impressions mean everything. From the time buyers arrive at your property to the time they leave, they are closely assessing curb appeal, interior spaces, lighting, and special features. To make an impression, create a clean, welcoming home where buyers will want to live:
- Mow the lawn, trim the trees and hedges, and power wash the walkway
- Put flowers in the entry
- Vacuum the floors, rugs, and upholstery
- Clean and sanitize the kitchen and bathrooms
- Create space in closets and drawers
- Get rid of pet hair and foul odors
Update and Declutter Interior Spaces
If your home's interior is outdated and cluttered, fix it before buyers arrive. A home with old or worn furniture, outdated fixtures, dingy walls, and clutter can send buyers looking at South Bend homes for sale right out the door. You don't have to spend a lot of money on upgrades, but you do need to create visual appeal. Consider adding beautiful throws on sofas and chairs, textured or colorful area rugs, ceiling chandeliers, pendants, and wall sconces, and fresh paint or wallpaper. If you need to declutter, rent a storage unit to get it out of the house. A cluttered home will make a bad first impression.
Schedule Showings and Open Houses
Once your home is ready for potential buyers, your listing agent needs to schedule showings and open houses. Your agent will collaborate with you on your available dates and times, then advertise and promote private showings and open houses. You don't have to be present at these events, but your agent will be there to provide information and answer questions about your home. When the events are over, your agent will follow up with you about the interest shown in your home and with people who attended, especially those who showed interest in making an offer.
List Your Home at a Realistic Price
As home sales slow down, some sellers are tempted to set a higher listing price to increase profits. However, this is not a good idea because it can push potential buyers away and keep your home on the market for much longer. For a faster, more profitable sale, it's better to list your home at market value according to comps in your area. You can also consider listing your home below market value to prompt more interest in buyers. This can lead to multiple offers and bidding wars that drive offers up, often way above the listing price.
Respond to Offers Quickly
When buyers find the home they want, they make fast offers to seal the deal and eliminate the competition. If you get an offer on your home, it's important to respond as soon as possible. However, before you accept the offer, you should know what price you're willing to accept and the absolute lowest offer you will take. This means reviewing your family plans, your lifestyle needs, and your finances. In a slower market, you should also be prepared to participate in negotiations, if the buyer's offer includes contingencies.
Are you considering buying or selling a home in South Bend? Contact us so we can help you with the process and get you into the perfect home.
Note: a subscription to the Do Not Call list does not apply when requesting information from our company.
