So you've decided to sell your home and you want to get the largest return on the investment that you possibly can. Who doesn't, right?
On this site, we've tried to give you all the information you need to sell your home, whether you're doing it yourself or using a Realtor's services. Be sure to read all the tips that can be found here, but here are a few basics to get you going.
Pick the right real estate agent.
What kind of agent do you want? When you picture the ideal marketing for your home and the person who will represent you for this important transaction, it's important that you have a clear idea. Not every agent is right for you. Perhaps your home is in a niche area with buyers that are difficult to reach with traditional marketing efforts. You need an agent that thinks outside of the box to make sure that these niche buyers see your home. Maybe your home is waterfront and the sunset views are absolutely stunning! Then you need an agent who realizes that a wide angle lens and a smaller aperture will capture a greater scene. A good agent is knowledgable, experienced and hardworking. A great agent adds in customer service and the ability to tailor his services to the client to fit their needs. Call us... maybe Kara Homes & Associates is the right real estate agent for you!
Think like a buyer.
We can't stress this enough! From home staging, repairs, interior colors, and odor removal to pricing, marketing materials and showings... THINK like a buyer! Essentially, do everything that you can to present your home in the best light possible. You want buyers to imagine themselves owning the property and adding their own personal touch. You want them to imagine it as their own.
Don't spend a ton of money... yet.
Additions to your home are often costly and can put you out of time and money. The price of additions, repairs, renovations and remodels are not always made back in the sale price of the home. Especially if your home ends up being a short sale, spending any money on your home at all is pointless. This is the kind of thing that you should consult and expert on first. Speak to a real estate agent that you trust to tell you what is worth spending money on and what isn't.
Marketing works!
If buyers don't see your home, how could they possibly consider purchasing it? It's a proven fact that most homebuyers today find their home on the internet. With internet marketing, buyers from around the world have access to your home's advertising. Photos should be well-lit and wide-angle and good quality. The ad's text should be clear and concise. Marketing for your home should be placed in as many places as possible, both paid and free. Even if it's on websites that are small and unheard of, utilizing the marketing from multiple platforms and websites increases search engine optimization for your property.
Marketing pro secret...
In your marketing, you want to show buyers just enough to pique their interest. Photos, no matter how high the quality is, will NEVER do your home justice. Your home will always be better in person than in photos, every home is. So don't overdo the photos - present 3 to 5 nice photographs, and leave the rest to the buyer's imagination. This encourages them to want to see the property in person, where they will surely fall in love with it.
Selling your home for the best price and as soon as possible is tricky. You can go it alone, but we highly recommend using the services of a Realtor. Even if you don't use our team, using a professional is always better than trying to navigate the waters on your own. Just keep in mind that after you have found a buyer for your home at a price you both agree on, now you have to get to the closing table! It's always better to have your own real estate agent when you have questions or concerns about escrow, the settlement statement, home inspections, home appraisals, buyer's financing, taxes on the sale of the home, closing costs, etc...
Call Kara Homes & Associates today to see if we're the right real estate company for you!