Many first-time property sellers feel like they don’t know what they’re doing, and that’s okay! In many ways, being a first-time seller can be just as stressful as becoming a first-time homebuyer. The keys to handling this experience with grace and speed are to recognize when you’re becoming overwhelmed and to seek expert advice.
To that end, many experts will first ask: “what are the reasons for selling your house?” Maybe you’re growing in household size, are going through a separation, or — the most popular reason — have a job relocation. Whatever reasons you have, your key to a successful sale will be identifying your goals and crafting a strategy based on them. If you’re expecting another child, you may have time to do renovations and wait for the highest offer, but if you’ve got to be abroad for a job, hiring experts to speed up your exit may be in order.
No matter your reason, hiring an experienced realtor is always a good call -- and here are more tips to consider when selling your home.
1. Find out what your home is worth
The first step in selling your home is to find out what it’s worth. While an agent can price your home more accurately, Zillow experts recommend starting with your Zestimate for a basic, do-it-yourself market value calculation. Your Zestimate is based on millions of public and user-submitted data points and is a good indicator of how your home compares to others in the area. Simply search your home address on Zillow’s website, claim your home, and make sure that all the listed info on it is correct. Anything inaccurate could impact how your Zestimate is calculated, not just for you, but also for potential buyers trying to research your home!
Another key method to calculating your property’s value is to review recently sold, comparable homes in your area. It’s important to learn from other sellers’ mistakes; doing your research will quickly show you what you should and shouldn’t do when trying to sell. Don’t let your asking price lump you in with your competition, either. Price banding is the practice of looking over the current inventory in your neighborhood and finding a less crowded price point. If your million-dollar home is lost in the crowd, consider taking 15-20% off your original price. You’ll soon be approached by several buyers, some of whom are keen to beat their competition and who may offer a final bid just as good as your original price.
2. Make space for storage
During the selling process, having an empty closet or two will be a major benefit. Storage is something every buyer looks for in a home; after all, you never know how many extra items will move with you, and you can never have too much extra space. Creating extra storage is part of the presentation process when buyers come for a tour. To prepare for this, a good tip is to remove half of all items in your storage areas and then neatly organize what’s left inside. Buyers will likely snoop, so remember to keep all your closets and cabinets clean, tidy, and presentable.
3. Increase the lighting in your home
Maximize the light in your home to impress buyers. In addition to location, good light is something that every buyer highlights as a home must-have. This is another step in the staging process when you arrange your furnishings and decor to best appeal to a broad range of buyers. Consider taking down your curtains and drapes or swapping them out for something sheerer. Make sure your windows are sparkling clean, change the lampshades, increase the wattage of your light bulbs, and trim the foliage outside to let in that natural sunlight.
4. Put away all pets and pet items
While showing that your house can accommodate pets may seem like a key selling point, not everyone will agree. Many buyers don’t want to see pet hair or pet food sitting out on display, and they also don’t want to smell your pets either. Avoid any impression that your house isn’t clean or well-kept. Stash the pet food, hide and clean the litter box, put the dog crate away, and vacuum any trace of dander. The last thing you want is an allergic prospective buyer sniffling through your open house and leaving with a bad impression.
Consider masking any pet odor with scented candles. A fresh and sweet scent lingering through your home will make buyers feel welcome and picture themselves living there. Finally, if you’re planning to have a fully open house for a day or two, you may want to consider boarding your pets in a pet hotel or having a friend pet sit at their home.
5. Go easy on the upgrading
Quick fixes are always necessary when trying to sell your home. If there’s an ongoing issue like a leak, definitely take care of it before your open house. However, when it comes to huge home improvements, consider your goals and your reason for selling. A new outdoor fire pit or brand new bathroom features may sound like a great selling point, but take caution; you may not get the return on investment you want, and you could end up losing money on the market.
Keeping things simple is the safest route to go. Instead of starting on new major projects, focus on getting a fresh coat of paint to cover up those wall scratches and marks. Take heavy curtains to the cleaners and have them professionally cleaned, or buy some inexpensive stylish ones. Replace door handles and knobs, screw tight cabinet hardware, make sure closets are on track, and fix any leaky faucets or pipes. All the little details are just as important as one big project, and these will ensure your house is ready for the market and the eyes of potential buyers.
6. Take the home out of your house
One of the most important things to do when preparing to sell your home is to depersonalize it. The more you display personal items, the less potential buyers can imagine themselves living there and calling your home their soon-to-be home too. Try to get rid of a third of any personal items, such as family portraits and photos, memorabilia collections, and personal keepsakes. If that’s emotionally difficult for you — and part of depersonalizing is also the emotional process of letting go of your home — consider hiring a stager who can make some decisions for you. Your stager will also arrange your furnishings to best showcase you're home and maximize its space.
7. The kitchen always comes first
Believe it or not, you’re selling your kitchen, not your house. Caveats on big projects aside, there are many ways to remodel your kitchen, and most have a decent ROI; you’re likely to get 85% of your money back once renovations are done. New cabinets and countertops may only be a few thousand dollars, compared to a buyer’s request for $10,000 off the asking price due to a dated kitchen.
The fastest kitchen renovation would be a new paint job on the walls, new cabinets, and maybe even a backsplash refresh. Always use a neutral palette, so you can present buyers with a blank canvas where they can envision their style. If you want to invest a little more, consider buying at least one high-end, stainless steel appliance. When a buyer sees one high-end appliance, they’ll assume the rest are expensive as well - plus, it makes the kitchen look a little more updated.
8. Don’t be afraid to play the agent field
Don’t be afraid to be discerning when looking for an agent. Hiring the wrong real estate agent is a common mistake that first-time sellers make, so how do you avoid it? Make sure you select a real estate agent who is very well-informed about your neighborhood and the area where you live. They’ll already be constantly monitoring multiple listing services, will know what properties are going on and off the market, and will understand the comps in your neighborhood. Also, it’s almost mandatory to have an agent that embraces technology, or at least, who has someone on their team who can do digital marketing.
Selling in Bellevue?
If you’re interested in selling your Bellevue property or are considering upgrading to a new Seattle-area home, contact Shannon Campbell today. Shannon serves a wide range of neighborhoods in the Seattle area and has extensive knowledge of Seattle, WA homes that are for sale. Let Shannon help you achieve your real estate goals!