subject: Selling Real Estate The Easy Way [print this page] Home selling is something most people have to do at some stage of their lives. Although it may seem a daunting prospect at first, there are a few simple tips to make it easier and more enjoyable.
Before your property goes up for sale, there are a few important decisions to make. Firstly, you must decide the value of your home and the amount you would like to receive. Some people choose to do this in consultation with a registered valuer while others use recent sales figures in the area as a basis for comparison. Try to make your asking price realistic. If it is too high, you may lose potential buyers.
Your next decision is whether to enlist a real estate agent or attempt to sell privately. Agents charge about 3% commission and take away a lot of the work for you. Some sellers do decide to market independently, but be prepared to spend a fair amount of time and energy doing so.
You will need to also decide on your preferred method of sale. These include auctions, tenders or open offers. You may want to specify a minimum price or leave it to the buyers to determine the value for themselves. Talk to your agent and look at sales in your area to determine which method will be most likely to get a good result for you.
Presentation is the key to successful marketing, so have a good clean up before your home goes up for sale. Mow the lawns, weed the garden, trim any hedges and clear away any unnecessary clutter both inside and out. The interior should be thoroughly cleaned, including windows, carpets and furniture. You may want to hire professionals to make sure the job is done thoroughly. You will need to make sure that the house is kept in a reasonable state at all times during this period, as potential buyers may want to see your house at any time.
Presentation is particularly vital if you choose to host open homes. One good idea is to brighten rooms with fresh flowers and light aromatic candles to ensure the house is free of unpleasant odors.
By following this advice, you will greatly increase your chances of getting the most money possible out of your home sale, so put the effort in now and reap the rewards later. When time for the actual move comes, hiring a professional moving company is another great way to save lots of time and reduce stress.
