Things to Consider When Selling
Each home seller is unique. Some don’t want to bother with preparing their home for sale and don’t mind if they leave money on the closing table. Either way, there are important things to consider when selling your home. But most of my clients do want to sell their homes for top dollar, and here’s how we do it:
Timing is everything.
Typically we help our clients prepare their homes for sale prior to submitting them to the MLS (multiple listing service). While prepping the home for sale, we calendar the date the listing will go live in the MLS. And then the open houses. Ideally, your home should not be submitted to the MLS on a holiday weekend, Spring Break, etc. The back-to-school week is another bad time to list a home. Buyers and their agents should be in town and not distracted when your listing debuts.
The MLS is a powerful selling tool.
Unless you have a reason for anonymity, there is seldom a valid reason for you to avoid the power of the MLS (multiple listing service). Do not fall for the song and dance that your Realtor® has so many clients that there is no need to list your home in the MLS. There are more than 1200 licensed real estate agents in Glendale, more than 700 in Burbank, over 400 in La Canada, more than 200 in La Crescenta, and over 1400 real estate agents in Pasadena. Just assume each one is working with one buyer… that’s a lot of exposure the MLS can provide.
There is, of course, an exception to most rules. Every now and again, it may be in a client’s best interest to take an offer from a buyer prior to entering the MLS. In the last decade, I believed it was in my client’s best interest to accept an offer without using the MLS only twice.
Don’t neglect Curb Appeal – get your front yard in shape.
I don’t know what it is about gardeners, but most seem to slack off after a while. It’s not just a matter of planting some flowers; your trees and shrubs should be neatly trimmed. Click here to learn five easy ways to give your home curb appeal.
A little prep work goes a long way.
Many people believe staging is simply rearranging the furniture or replacing bedspreads and towels. But there is much more to it. That’s why home builders spend tens of thousands of dollars staging their model homes. Decluttering, and thorough cleaning, including having your windows professionally washed, are typically just starting points. Click here to learn four simple ways to add value to your home.
Establish the right listing price.
In today’s competitive real estate market, it is wise to price your home at a number that will bid the price up, not down. A home listed for sale is an offering. A home seller is not obligated to accept any offer. I personally don’t believe in “event” pricing. I don’t think it’s “nice” to have dozens of disappointed buyers. But in order to represent my client when listing a home for sale, sadly, there should be a couple of disappointed buyers… that’s how a home seller gets top dollar. Click here to learn why some homes list at the wrong price.
Not all Realtors are created equal – make sure you hire the right one!
Obviously, you want to hire an experienced real estate agent. Everyone must learn, but let the newbie agent learn from someone else’s nest egg. Check your Realtor’s online reviews, and ask for client recommendations. Ask the Realtor for samples of their marketing pieces. Insist that the Realtor you choose hires a professional photographer. And provides high-quality marketing pieces which aren’t a testament to them but will showcase your home. Learn more about hiring the right Realtor® by clicking here.
