Tip Tuesday: Home selling

1. Identify your motivation for selling. – Jot down your must-haves and deal breakers. What is your time frame to move? What is your budget for pre-listing home improvements? What is the minimum sale price you will accept?

2. Research the best time to sell in your area. – Understanding the state of your local real estate market — including whether you’re in a buyers or sellers’ market — can help you identify the best time to sell. If you have flexibility in your timing, you might consider waiting for a sellers’ market, which occurs when there are more buyers searching for homes than there are homes available. It gives sellers the negotiation power and can drive up prices.

3. Commit to a representation strategy – Trust your agent’s home-selling advice.

4.Complete home improvements – After all, you want buyers to fall in love with your home, like you did when you first bought it. Spend some time getting your home move-in ready, in a way that will appeal to the broadest range of potential buyers. To make that all-important first impression, spend some time on your front yard. Power wash driveways and sidewalks, add some seasonal plants to pots and garden beds, cut back overgrown plants and rake leaves.

5. Price your home competitively – Your real estate agent should be an expert in home values in your area, so they’re a great resource for finding the right listing price. Plus, they can provide guidance on a pricing strategy that will spark the most interest and maybe even inspire a bidding war.

6. Stage your house to sell – Preparing your home to sell should also include arranging your furniture, organizing, and decorating in a way that appeals to the widest range of potential buyers. Take the time to repair pet damage, remove pets’ belongings, and clear away kids’ items like gates, highchairs, and piles of toys.

7. Market your listing effectively – Advertise across multiple channels

Invest in professional marketing photos

Craft an enticing listing description

Schedule showings

8. Watch for closing hurdles –

Bad home inspection report

Home appraisal too low

Financing failure