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I often get asked advice on how to best sell a home, so I decided to compile
a list of ideas to help sellers:
1. Hire a professional- Whether it is me or another REALTORŪ, the best advice I can
give anyone is to use a licensed Real Estate Agent, and more specifically, a Member of
the National Association of REALTORSŪ. to sell your house. Over the years, I have dealt with many
people trying to save money by selling their homes themselves (FSBO- For Sale by Owner).
While some people have the experience and knowledge to effectively accomplish this task,
most do not understand all the legal requirements or the potential pitfalls.
The 1st question I ask anyone selling via FSBO is to see their Indiana Sales Disclosure.
If you don't know what I am referring to, then you should definitely seek professional
assistance to sell.
2. Presentation- Remove Clutter! If you are currently selling your home, it should look the best
it can. No dirty clothes on the kid's room floor, animals should be boarded or kept elsewhere
if possible, and all maintinence should be up-to-date. You need to present your home in the
best possible fashion to the most possible people. Keeping your house in showroom condition
can be nerve-racking, but can also earn you thousands during negotiations and reduce selling time.
3. Smells- This is huge! Animals, mildew, smoking, etc. can all turn a prospective
buyer away instantly. I was showing homes one day and it was getting close to lunch, we
walked into a home where the owner had put cinnamon sticks in cooking oil on the stove
before they left... I will never forget that home, I was hungry and the smell made the
home stick in my memory.
4. Marketing- This can be very expensive if not done effectively, but it is also the best
way for you to get the most for your home. The most effective way to market your home in
most markets is via a professional REALTORŪ and the local MLS system.
5. Price your home correctly- Everyone thinks their house is worth a million dollars
because they have an emotional investment in the property. Whenever you consider the
price of your home, you must also consider the time frame you want/need to sell your home.
Your best indicator of price is your competition, other homes that are selling and more importantly;
have already sold and are very comparable to your home.
6. Don't be home during showings- This seems obvious to most people, but potential buyers
can feel like intruders and will have a tough time visualizing themselves in the home and therefore
will make it harder to sell.
