Agent Search
The best strategy for selling your home begins with finding a real estate agent. What other strategies can ensure a profit when
you sell a house? Read on.
When asked, most sellers stated that they had three main expectations of their real estate agents: find a buyer (29%), complete the sale within a specific timeframe (26%), and assist with proper home pricing (20%). Clearly, for these expectations to be met, it's important to develop a relationship with a good real estate agent or Realtor®. Only a real estate professional that is a member of the National Association of Realtors can hold the title Realtor®. A Realtor® can provide you with a home appraisal and an honest opinion about your home's strongest and weakest features. However, regardless of which type of agent you choose, the assistance of a realty professional can help you navigate through the complex process of selling a house.
As we've seen, there are many factors which impact the sale and selling price of your home. Consult with your Realtor® or real estate agent to explore the various issues that can hinder or even prevent the sale of your home. Here are a few tips that can help you choose the right time to sell your house.
Edward Castro has extensive experience as a creative media writer. His client portfolio has included such notables as Hewlett-Packard, Sony Computer Entertainment, Shockwave, AtomFilms, GameBlast and Mervyn's California. In his current position, Ed is developing the marketing strategy of an Internet start-up company specializing in Japanese trade goods.
According to industry reports, the average home in the United States gained in market
value by as much as 9.4 percent from mid-2003 to mid-2004. A review of the consumer price index reveals that this increase is three times the rate
of inflation for goods and services in the overall economy during the same period.
While many people are aware that home valuations are at an all-time high, few know how to make a home sale into a profitable experience.
The size of the profit depends on several factors, including the original purchase price, appreciation, and closing fees upon sale. There are
three key questions a homeowner should ask if they are looking to sell a house and make a handsome profit:
- What steps can you take to increase the probability of a sale before putting your house on the market?
- When is the best time to sell a house?
- How do you determine your asking price?
When asked, most sellers stated that they had three main expectations of their real estate agents: find a buyer (29%), complete the sale within a specific timeframe (26%), and assist with proper home pricing (20%). Clearly, for these expectations to be met, it's important to develop a relationship with a good real estate agent or Realtor®. Only a real estate professional that is a member of the National Association of Realtors can hold the title Realtor®. A Realtor® can provide you with a home appraisal and an honest opinion about your home's strongest and weakest features. However, regardless of which type of agent you choose, the assistance of a realty professional can help you navigate through the complex process of selling a house.
Money Can't Buy Everything
Whoever said, "You have to spend money to make money," must have been in the business of home selling. However, it is a good idea to avoid spending a great deal of money on major improvements. Major exterior improvements rarely yield high returns. A better plan is to offer buyers credit to cover major repair costs like a new roof or improved landscaping. Stick to cosmetic fixes that are relatively cheap, easily completed, and improve the exterior attractiveness of your home.
Whoever said, "You have to spend money to make money," must have been in the business of home selling. However, it is a good idea to avoid spending a great deal of money on major improvements. Major exterior improvements rarely yield high returns. A better plan is to offer buyers credit to cover major repair costs like a new roof or improved landscaping. Stick to cosmetic fixes that are relatively cheap, easily completed, and improve the exterior attractiveness of your home.
Think Outside the Box
Think about how you formed the initial impression of your current home. Chances are it began with your first view from the curb in front of the house. Most buyers work the same way. The exterior attractiveness of your house, or curb appeal, has the most impact on a buyer's perception of your home. To enhance your house's curb appeal, it is wise to repaint exterior walls, maintain landscaping, keep sidewalks swept, clean all rain gutters and spouts, and replace missing roof shingles. For example, if you spend $12,000 on landscaping prior to sale, you might increase your home's value by 25%.
Think about how you formed the initial impression of your current home. Chances are it began with your first view from the curb in front of the house. Most buyers work the same way. The exterior attractiveness of your house, or curb appeal, has the most impact on a buyer's perception of your home. To enhance your house's curb appeal, it is wise to repaint exterior walls, maintain landscaping, keep sidewalks swept, clean all rain gutters and spouts, and replace missing roof shingles. For example, if you spend $12,000 on landscaping prior to sale, you might increase your home's value by 25%.
Insiders Guide
While the exterior of your home hooks a buyer's interest, the interior seals the deal. Making small repairs or improvements to your home's interior can generally increase the value of your home. The following improvements are the easiest and most cost effective ways of making the interior of your home more attractive.
While the exterior of your home hooks a buyer's interest, the interior seals the deal. Making small repairs or improvements to your home's interior can generally increase the value of your home. The following improvements are the easiest and most cost effective ways of making the interior of your home more attractive.
- Shining Example: Clean, scrub, and polish your stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave oven, and other appliances inside and out.
- Smell of Success: Eliminate any strong odors a prospective buyer might notice upon walking through the front door.
- Get Drippy: Fix leaking faucets, and unclog slow-draining sinks and bathtubs.
- Get Organized: Keep kitchen counters free from clutter and the sink free of dirty dishes.
- Old Paint: Do-it-yourself interior painting will save on costs. You should select neutral colors and avoid bold colors that make loud statements.
As we've seen, there are many factors which impact the sale and selling price of your home. Consult with your Realtor® or real estate agent to explore the various issues that can hinder or even prevent the sale of your home. Here are a few tips that can help you choose the right time to sell your house.
Plan your home sale for times in which people traditionally look for new homes. As school starts around September, you'll find many people
looking to buy and move in June. Although recent sales figures suggest that the old calendar cycles have shifted and a house can be sold
at any time, there is still a significant lull in buying from October through February.
Going to Market: Pricing
There are a number of different market factors that can also impact the asking price of your home. A real estate agent's knowledge of market condition and pricing variables can come in handy when deciding on the price of your home. Make sure to find a Realtor® who knows the local real estate market and especially local market conditions. A comparative market analysis can be done for your home against similar, recently sold homes in the area. Since the real estate market continually changes and market fluctuations affect property values, having a knowledgeable Realtor® on your side is critical.
There are a number of different market factors that can also impact the asking price of your home. A real estate agent's knowledge of market condition and pricing variables can come in handy when deciding on the price of your home. Make sure to find a Realtor® who knows the local real estate market and especially local market conditions. A comparative market analysis can be done for your home against similar, recently sold homes in the area. Since the real estate market continually changes and market fluctuations affect property values, having a knowledgeable Realtor® on your side is critical.
Closing the Deal
Making a profit when you sell a house isn't difficult in the current market, but having a professional at your side makes the process much easier. If you find a real estate agent you can trust, the process from appraisal to closing to sell a home can be a problem free experience.
Making a profit when you sell a house isn't difficult in the current market, but having a professional at your side makes the process much easier. If you find a real estate agent you can trust, the process from appraisal to closing to sell a home can be a problem free experience.
Sources
- National Association of Realtors: http://www.Realtor.org/rocms.nsf
Edward Castro has extensive experience as a creative media writer. His client portfolio has included such notables as Hewlett-Packard, Sony Computer Entertainment, Shockwave, AtomFilms, GameBlast and Mervyn's California. In his current position, Ed is developing the marketing strategy of an Internet start-up company specializing in Japanese trade goods.