Getting Top Dollar for Your House - Part 4

Paint & Carpet Factor

Paint is your best improvement investment for getting a greater return on your money. Paint makes the whole house smell clean and neat. If your house has chipped paint, exposed wood, or the paint looks faded, it is time to paint.

If your carpet is worn, dirty, outdated, or an unusual color, you may need to seriously consider replacing it. Many houses do not sell because of this problem.

Don't think that buyers have more money than you have to replace carpet. They don't. They simply buy elsewhere.

Your Realtor can help you decide what your best marketing plan will be.

Getting Top Dollar for Your House - Part 3

Access

Top selling agents will not show your home if both the key and access are not readily available. They do not have time to run around town all day picking up and dropping off keys. They want to sell homes!
The greatest way to show a house is to have a key!
When your home is being shown, please do the following:
* Keep all lights on, including exterior “coach” lights by your front door
* Keep all drapes and shutters open
* Keep all doors unlocked
* Leave soft music playing
* Take a short walk with your children and pets
* Let the buyer be at ease and let the agents do their job

Getting Top Dollar for Your House - Part 2

The Clean Factor

Most people are turned off by even the smallest amount of uncleanliness or odor when buying a home. Sellers lose thousands of dollars because they do not adequately clean. If your house is squeaky clean, you will be able to sell your home faster and net hundreds, if not thousands of dollars more.
If you are planning on moving, why not get rid of that old junk now so that your house will appear larger? Make more space. Odors must be eliminated, especially if you have dogs, cats, or young children in diapers, or if you are a smoker. You may not notice the smell, but the buyers do!
If you employ a realtor to get the most amount of money for you, please don't take offense if he/she must confront you about odor problems.

Timing The Sale of Your House

Most sellers finance a new home purchase with the sale of their present home, so they usually put their homes on the market before they begin their search for a new home. Knowing the price you can expect from the sale usually sets the pricing parameters for your new home search.
Obviously, it's not wise to wait until the sale on your property closes completely before beginning to look for your new home. Timing your search with the buyers' transaction will mean you will have the available funds to buy your new home and will also cut down on the interim period between homes.
Your realtor can help you make these decisions.

Getting Top Price for Your Home - Part 1

It is very important to price your property at a competitive market value right when you list it. The market is so competitive that even over-pricing by a few thousand dollars could mean that your house will not sell. It's interesting, but your first offer is usually your best offer. Here are reasons for pricing your property at the market value right from the start in order to net you the most amount of money in the shortest amount of time.

An overpriced home:
* Minimizes offers
* Lowers showings
* Lowers agent response
* Limits financing
* Limits qualified buyers
* Nets less for the seller

80% of the marketing is done when we decide on what price to list your home.If you are unwilling to list at current market value, you would be better off not putting it on the market at this time.

Disclosures

If you are selling your home remember that you must disclose any damage or disrepair even when selling it 'as is'. If you are aware of a problem, such as a damaged roof, it must be included in the disclosures to the Buyer. Your Realtor will guide you through this process.

Investing in Remodeling

The return on investment of remodeling your home prior to sale will be affected by the home values in your neighborhood. If, for example, you have a small home in an area of larger more expensive homes it might be worth the cost of an addition. Find more information about remodeling.