Buying and selling a home are two very different processes. First time home sellers may not know all that goes into successfully selling their house. It takes some work to find a buyer while getting the price you want.
Below, find our…
4 best tips for first time home SELLERS!
The Price is Right
You want to get as much money for your house as possible. Who wouldn’t? Many homebuyers make the mistake of being overly ambitious when it comes to the price their house will sell for. The day your house hits the market, it should be priced correctly! Don’t price high and hope to snag a buyer. Your listing will slowly drop down the line and a high price up front will get it overlooked. Plus, potential buyers will be able to see any price changes you make. Continuously dropping the price will make you appear like a desperate seller or as if you don’t know what you’re doing. It can also give the impression something is wrong with the house because you aren’t able to get your asking price. Do your homework, and price the property correctly from day one.
TIPS FOR FIRST TIME HOUSE SELLERS IN MT. LAUREL:
Pack Up Before You Sell
Selling and moving go hand and hand. Do yourself a favor, and pack up before listing your home. Box things up and put them in storage, the basement or even the garage. Removing as many of your personal effects as possible will make potential buyers feel less intrusive when they are viewing your home. In addition, your listing photos should be completely free of clutter. Ads with personal items front and center often get scrolled past. Packing up your non-essential items will save you a ton of work down the road. Getting this out of the way early will make the moving process much easier for you.
TIPS FOR FIRST TIME HOUSE SELLERS IN MT. LAUREL:
Don’t Say No To a Showing
It might seem a little inconvenient having strangers walk through your house at any given moment, but you need to make viewing of your house as easy as possible. If your agent has a buyer who wants to see the house at 9 pm, let them. If your house is all packed up, short notice shouldn’t be too much of a hassle. Do whatever you can to get your house seen. Don’t limit your showings to certain times or alienate potential buyers in any way. You can’t rely on an Open House to sell your home. In fact, the vast majority of houses sell through direct showings. Being hospitable and flexible to potential buyers will set the tone for a positive, future transaction!
TIPS FOR FIRST TIME HOUSE SELLERS IN MT. LAUREL:
“Selling your home by yourself, which many people refer to as For Sale By Owner (FSBO), can be a rewarding but challenging task. Here are some tips on how to sell a house for the first time:
Preparation
Research the Market:
Understand current market conditions.
Compare prices of similar properties in your area (comparable sales).
Set a Realistic Price:
Utilize online tools and possibly a professional appraiser.
Do not overprice since it can drive away buyers.
Prepare Your Home:
Clean up and do away with clutter from each room.
Make any necessary repairs and consider minor upgrades.
Clean up exterior and landscaping that improves curb appeal.
Marketing
Take High-Quality Photos:
Ensure there is adequate light while taking pictures of vital features.
Consider hiring a professional photographer.
Create a Compelling Listing:
Come up with an elaborate honest description about it.
Emphasize unique features as well as recent improvements done.
Use Multiple Marketing Channels:
List the property in major real estate websites such as Zillow, Trulia, Realtor.com etc…
Use social media platforms to get the word out there about your property being on sale
Put up “For Sale” sign indicating your contact information
Showing the Home
Be Available for Showings:
Try to have flexible time schedule when booking appointments for showing days
Always make sure that your house is clean before any showings take place at anytime.
Pictures Say A Thousand Words
We can’t stress this one enough. Good photography is one of the most important things you will do when selling your house. Advertisements using bad photography, or with cluttered, messy or highly personalized rooms will likely be looked over. You have only a few seconds to capture someone’s interest when they are looking through listings, and you do this with amazing photography. Your house needs to pop! It has to stand out and make people click on your listing to find out more. You should consider hiring a professional if your listing agent hasn’t already. You might also consider creating an online virtual tour, or using drone photography.
Taking good pictures of a house you’re selling is crucial for attracting potential buyers. Here are some tips to help you capture appealing photos:
1. Prepare the House
- Clean and Declutter: Make sure every room is tidy. Remove personal items and excess furniture to make spaces look larger.
- Stage the Home: Arrange furniture and decor to highlight the best features of each room.
- Enhance Curb Appeal: Clean the exterior, mow the lawn, and add some potted plants or flowers.
2. Use the Right Equipment
- Camera: A DSLR camera with a wide-angle lens is ideal. A good smartphone camera can also work if you follow the other tips closely.
- Tripod: Keeps the camera steady for sharper images, especially in low light.
- Lighting: Natural light is best. Use artificial lighting to fill in shadows if necessary.
3. Lighting
- Natural Light: Shoot during the day, preferably in the late morning or early afternoon for the best natural light.
- Avoid Direct Sunlight: Too much direct sunlight can create harsh shadows and overexposed areas.
- Interior Lighting: Turn on all lights inside the house to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
4. Composition
- Wide Shots: Use a wide-angle lens to capture more of the room.
- Angles: Shoot from the corner of a room to give a sense of depth.
- Eye Level: Keep the camera at eye level to make photos feel natural and immersive.
- Highlight Features: Focus on key selling points like a fireplace, a renovated kitchen, or a spacious backyard.
5. Editing
- Adjust Brightness and Contrast: Ensure the images are well-lit and vibrant.
- Correct Distortion: Fix any lens distortion that makes rooms look unnatural.
- Enhance Colors: Make sure colors are accurate and appealing.
- Use Editing Software: Tools like Adobe Lightroom or free apps like GIMP can help polish your photos.
6. Room-by-Room Guide
- Living Room: Highlight space, light, and any special features (fireplace, built-in shelves).
- Kitchen: Focus on appliances, counter space, and any upgrades.
- Bedrooms: Show the size and any special features (walk-in closets, en-suite bathrooms).
- Bathrooms: Clean and bright, focus on fixtures and finishes.
- Exterior: Capture the front and back of the house, as well as any outdoor living spaces (patio, garden).
7. Miscellaneous Tips
- Take Multiple Shots: Shoot each room from various angles and choose the best ones.
- Be Consistent: Use the same lighting and editing style for all photos to create a cohesive look.
- Show Flow: Arrange photos to tell a story and show the flow of the house from room to room.
By following these tips, you can create a set of high-quality photos that showcase your house in the best possible light, making it more appealing to potential buyers.
Selling your house doesn’t have to be overwhelming or scary. Hiring the right team of professionals to guide you, will ensure you get the price you want in a timely manner.