Four Top Tips for Home Sellers

Here 's Advice for Folks Who Want to Sell Their Homes Fast

Apr 19, 2009

Let's face it - it's difficult to sell a house these days. There are buyers, but they want the most for their money. So, how can one sell quickly for the best price?

In an interview with Suite 101, Jayne Camlin, a real estate agent with Gloria Nilson in Middletown, New Jersey, has some advice for people who are selling their homes.

1. Start with the Best Advice- Pick the Right Agent

“If you really want to sell your home, you’ve got to work with a realtor/broker who understands the market inside and out,” Camlin says. “If you had a serious legal matter, you wouldn’t go to a lawyer who never won a case, would you?”

The best advice is going to come from realtors who know how to market homes, find the right buyers, and negotiate the best deals. Check out a realtor’s credentials before hiring him or her. How many homes have they sold, and how long are their homes on the market?

2. See the Home Through a Buyer's Eyes- Get it Ready to “Show”

“You cannot sell a home the way you live in one,” says Camlin. “It is important to see it through the buyer’s eyes, and that is what an experienced agent can help you do,” Camlin says. Buyers find it hard to see past clutter, family photos, and unusual paint colors. Camlin often recommends renting a storage unit and packing everything away (extra furniture, photos, books) that won’t be needed.

Consider investing a little money in a fresh coat of paint, and apply warm, neutral colors to maximize space. Replace the carpets if they are old and worn, and if there are hardwood floors, consider refinishing them. “Hardwood floors provide a huge ‘wow’ factor to today’s buyers,” Camlin adds.

3. Don't Chase the Market- Set the Right Price from the Beginning

“Many sellers have a particular price in mind for their home, so they list their house at a higher price thinking they can always come lower,” says Camlin. “Set the price correctly from the start - don’t waste your time chasing the market,” Camlin says.

With today’s stricter financing guidelines, appraisals are the key to a successful sale, and the appraisers look closely at the most recent sale prices of homes in comparable areas with comparable attributes. “Homes that are priced right will draw interest away from homes that are overpriced. Then, if the right priced-home gets enough attention it is possible, even in this difficult market, to get multiple offers,” Camlin notes.

4. Don't Just Put a Sign on the Lawn- Market the Home Extensively

Home buyers take great advantage of today’s technology, with nearly 84% searching for homes on the internet. “It is imperative to have total exposure to get the best results,” says Camlin. Aggressive marketing on sites such as Realtor.com, Trulia, and Zillow will increase buyer interest. “You must impress buyers from the first glance in order to pique their interest to want to see the home in person.” The right agents will know exactly how to get the most exposure for the home listing.

A tough economy can make selling a home a challenge. But, despite the obstacles, they can be overcome. Following these home selling tips is a good beginning.

The copyright of the article Four Top Tips for Home Sellers in Buying/Selling a Home is owned by Tricia Krietzberg. Permission to republish Four Top Tips for Home Sellers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.