Tips for Selling Your House

Here are some general real estate tips for selling. Think of the buyer's first impression when preparing your house for viewings. So-called curb appeal can make a huge difference not just in terms of locating a buyer who wants to take action but also in terms of the final price that you'll settle on. For example, investing $300 or $400 in beautifying your front lawn, replacing burned out light bulbs, unearthing an unpleasant looking/dying bush, and raking your leaves can translate into an extra $10,000 or $20,000 in the final price of sale.

You might also want to do a landscape and home inspection before you put your house on the market. This way, you can present this estimate to potential buyers, who will be less likely to fuss with other “inspectors for hire”. If you are honest about the flaws and defects of your home, your straightforwardness can actually work to your advantage.

After all, consider the converse. If you project to buyers that your house is perfect, and an interested person investigates and discovers that you've hidden an architectural flaw, for example, the deal could go sour. This isn't to say you need to highlight the negative aspects of your home, just be aware of them, and price and sell accordingly.

General real estate experts also recommend that sellers join up with trusted real estate agents. A veteran broker or agent with experience in your neighborhood can often win you substantially more perks and better payment terms than a rookie agent or an agent who is unfamiliar with your neck of the woods can. All that said, general real estate negotiations can prove traumatic if you're not fiscally and emotionally prepared.

Remember that your home is a commodity. Think of this exercise in general real estate pragmatically. If someone doesn't see the appeal of your property, their judgment shouldn't reflect on your particular tastes. While you shouldn't detach entirely, the process of general real estate selling has so many ups and downs that it may behoove you to moderate your expectations.

Investigate general real estate sale prices for homes in your neighborhood, keep tabs on the market, go over your tax situation and budget with your accountant, have a safe place to “land” if you sell your house before you can close on a new home, and understand your legal and ethical obligations as a seller before you start meeting with buyers.