Tips for First Time SELLERS

Tips for first-time homebuyers are easy to find. Know your budget… get pre-approved…

But what about first-time sellers? You rarely see tips for that. Here are some things you need to know.

Prepare Emotionally

Buying and selling are very different transactions. Buying a home can bring excitement for a new era. Selling a home can bring sadness for the end of one. You need to be prepared for the emotions you may feel when deciding to move.

Prepare Financially

When buying a home, you want to get the most for your money. When selling, it’s the opposite. You want to maximize your profit potential, without spending too much to get your home ready to sell. Take a hard look at your finances and figure out what you need to make on your house in order to move into a new one.

Price Your Home Accurately

You have to be realistic about what your home is worth. That starts by pricing your home accurately. “You don’t want to create the wrong impression by pricing your house too high then reducing it,” says Kristen Davis, Sales Associate at ERA Justin Realty, “A real estate agent familiar with how much other houses in your neighborhood are selling for can help you make sure yours is priced to sell.”

Stage Your Home

You don’t have to spend a lot to stage your home, but it is necessary to boost its appeal to a wider range of buyers. “You don’t have to buy all new throw pillows,” says Jennifer Darby Metzger, Broker/Owner of ERA Justin Realty, “Sometimes removing extra furniture and taking down family photos and personal mementos is all that’s needed. And you need to pack it all up eventually anyway!” If it looks like no one lives there, you’ve staged it well.

List on the Right Day

“This is one For-Sale-By-Owners rarely get right: listing on the right day,” says Davis. The best day to list your home is determined by a host of factors including your location, the weather, and the current state of your local real estate market. You want your home to stand out  on its very first day on the market. A knowledgeable real estate agent can help you figure out when that first day should be.

Be Flexible

Go with the flow when it comes to showings. The more your home is available to your agent and potential buyers, the faster it will sell. Keep it clean and tidy every day until you’re in contract.

This list is just a sampling of best practices for first-time sellers. For more individualized instructions, Kristen Davis or any of the experienced sellers agents at ERA Justin Realty can help you. Give us a call at 201-939-7500.