By: Jason Kay
Submitted: 2009-12-12 18:13:32 | Word Count: 603
When it comes to selling your home the idea is of course to get as much money for it as you can. Hopefully if you have been in your home long enough and paid enough of your mortgage off, there will be a good amount of equity in the home and you will stand to walk away from the closing table with some extra money. Getting all you can from your home is better accomplished when you know some of the tricks of the trade.
Though you may think you know everything about selling you home here are a few things that perhaps you didn’t:
[ advertisement ]
• Honesty is the best policy: You know that in life it is always best to be honest, but did you know that in real estate this rule is paramount? Don’t lie, not even in the slightest, about anything that may be wrong with your home. If you do and the buyer finds the problems after the sale of the home is complete then they will more than likely see you in court and you will probably lose. Your real estate agent has all the appropriate paperwork that you need to fill out so that you can fully disclose anything that is wrong with the home and keep yourself on a square and level playing field.
• Little things sell the home: So many people get wrapped up in spending huge amounts of money in an attempt to spruce up the home before selling it that they miss out on this key point. Perhaps you didn’t know it, but it is the little things that often sell the home. You want to make the whole property cheery and inviting for all potential buyers and have them be able to envision their new beginning there. This starts with some quick landscaping that will include some seasonally bright colored plants. Be sure that the walkway and driveway are clean and clutter free. Paint all of the interior walls with a fresh coat of white paint. This allows the potential buyer to envision their dream color pallet and not have to see what you liked when you lived there. Your color schemes may be wonderful, but not everyone will agree. Keeping everything white is a neutral safe bet. Above all else, keep the inside of the home clutter free. It is easier to envision a dream when there is no mess in the way.
• Sell the home: Don’t underestimate things like scented candles, the smell of cookies, or soft music playing in the background when potential buyers are walking through. The idea is to create a warm and friendly environment that the buyer will want to come back to time and time again. Only by creating this feeling within a potential buyer are you actually ‘selling’ the home.
• Stick to the facts: You may think that it is great that your home is only a mile from the local elementary school, but others may view this as a hassle if they have no children. Don’t give out your opinions, instead stick to the facts. Instead of telling them all the things you love about the home tell them the facts. Use terms like ‘centrally located’ instead of ‘next to a school or next to a highway.’ Let the buyer find their own things to fall in love with.
Employing these strategies will surely help you to achieve your goal when selling your home, which is not just to sell it but to sell it for as much money as possible. The closing table is closer than you think.
