Choose The Right Listing Agent

Not all real estate agents work the same way. The most important attributes of a listing agent are:

• Sells real estate FULL-TIME! - so selling your home is a full time priority and your agent is generally available to you and prospective buyers.
  
  
• Knows the market - what is currently listed and the history of properties to lend valuable perspective when it comes to pricing and positioning.
  
  
• Understands your needs and will be honest and assertive with you and buyers/buyer's agent.
  
  
• Has extensive LISTING experience - since working with buyers requires a different skill set/approach.
  
  
• Provides advice on how to stage your home to show at its best and recommends aesthetic updates that will significantly increase the perceived value of your property.

Know Why You Are Selling

If you know why you are selling, it is easier for you and your agent to determine a plan of action to get exactly what you want. For instance: if you need to close a sale as quickly as possible, then you should know that getting the highest price is not your highest priority. This does not mean that you won't or can't get the highest price, but there may be tradeoffs as you decide between an offer with a lower list price and quick close versus a buyer with a full price offer requesting a 60 day settlement.

So, identify your "bottom line" price upfront (i.e. the lowest price you will accept from a buyer). Although this figure should never be disclosed externally, it is important information that your agent will use to determine an optimal pricing strategy and negotiating position. Even though you should consider all offers and take into consideration the total terms of each (i.e. price, settlement date, financial qualifications, contingencies, etc.) knowing your bottom line saves time by eliminating low-ball offers and enables your agent to determine the proper tactic to get what is important to you in the negotiation.

Important Lessons Learned

These are few important lessons to remember as you prepare to sell your home:

Buyers want to see and agents want to show houses that are good buys.

• FACT: A buyer is more likely to make a full-priced offer on a home that is priced right, before making a low offer on a home that's priced too high.
  
  
• Houses that are priced correctly from the start sell faster than houses priced too high for the market.

Be willing to make smart investments in important aesthetic elements of your home.

• A good first impression can influence whether a buyer writes an offer or not. For example: invest in landscaping - curb appeal matters.
  
  
• Fix things that could be considered "red flags" (i.e. leaks).
  
  
• Invest in important aesthetic updates (i.e. painting, floors, minor kitchen and bath updates, etc.). Your return should be at least double the expense. 

Your cost or profit desire is irrelevant. The market determines the price.

• It is very difficult for a seller to evaluate their home objectively. In a balanced market (like today), it is important to determine the fair market price of your home given it's location and condition relative to other properties currently active.
  
  
• Assume the buyer is educated & saavy and has done their research.

Houses that are marketed well-Move fastest and garner the most money

• Open houses rarely sell houses - they generate interest/buzz when first listed, however, 95% of homes are sold as the result of an agent or buyer inquiry thru the internet lead. It is better to have a few qualified buyers touring your home than large numbers of random people, most of whom are not actively househunting. 
  
  
• Pictures, pictures and pictures.  MLS listings with multiple pictures generate the most interest.  This might be an obvious point, but when you browse the MLS you will be surprised to see how many properties are listed with one or no pictures.  Listings with no pictures tend not to get shown. 
  
  
• Networking with agents and advertising via the internet has been proven to yield the most results.

Preparing Your Home for Sale

It's important to consider that potential buyers often see your home only for a few brief minutes and then only as one of many homes visited during a day of touring properties. They usually don't have time to learn about the wonderful features that you know about, because you live there. Rather, buyers may only get a quick walk-through and then they're off to the next home.

In order to catch a buyer's eye, and to convince them to make a substantial offer, your property must stand out. Don't make the mistake of thinking that, because it's in good-enough shape for you, it's okay to show to others.

That being said, think about the following tips: 

Serious Home Preparation

If your home is more than five years old, you will want to give serious thought to rejuvenating the interior. This will add perceived value when potential buyers walk through. Some of the commonly suggested items you will want to consider rehabilitating are: 

• Paint Interior Walls - Over time, wear and tear tends to leave scratch marks on walls. If the paint is more than a year old, washing will only tend to make these marks look worse. A coat of water-based paint, easily applied with rollers, can enliven an entire room . . . and home. Sometimes you can avoid painting the ceilings, if they look good. If not, give them a coat as well.

• Clean Up Kitchens and Baths - Buyers should pay special attention here. You want your sinks, counter tops and floors to look spotless. Don't leave food or dirty dishes out when showing the property. If the home is dated, you may want to spend the extra money to renovate your kitchen and baths. Often you can get back dollar-for-dollar, or more, for money spent in these areas.

• Remove Extra Wall Coverings and Furniture - You want your home to look spacious, not cluttered. In addition, if you have wood floors, consider having them re-varnished or at least polished. As for items on the fridge such as magnets or personal items on the top, those should be removed as well.

• Wash Windows - One of the most overlooked items by home-sellers. A clean window makes all the difference in the world. 

• Added Touches For Improving Your Home's Appearance - To create the right "first" impression, home sellers might do at least the following to their properties before showing it to anyone: 

1. Plant Flowers - Colorful flowers around the front entrance to your home can greatly improve impressions. You can do this on a weekend for a small amount of money.
2. Refresh Your Home's Exterior - By re-painting or re-staining the front of your home, especially your front door, it will give the entire house a fresh, new look. Again, you can do this over a weekend.