Santa Ynez Valley June Real Estat Statistics

4 Simple Tips for A Quick and Easy(ier) Sale

No one would turn down more money for their home, right? I mean, if someone offers me more, I'm going to take it!  But, not everyone offers more.  Many offer less, a lot less in some cases.  Some buyers purchase a home, and don't ask for any repairs (or very little). Other buyers ask for a whole remodel or the money do to so.  What is the difference and how do you as a seller attempt to cut down on these requests, thereby netting the most money for your home?  

Here are a few things that you as a seller can do to help ensure that you are getting the most for your home.

1. The most simplest of the items: Make Repairs.  I know, it may sound too simple or it could sound  onerous.  Maybe the reason you're selling is because you don't want to make repairs! Here's the thing.  If a buyer comes to your home, and the home needs obvious easy repairs; a broken light switch cover, light bulbs that are out, a vent cover missing. They will wonder what else you haven't done that isn't easy.  Many times, the items that cause a buyer to take a closer look, are the items that are easiest to fix.  Not only does your home present better, but a buyer is more likely to ignore the simple items on a home inspection report because there are fewer items. I'm not saying completely remodel or even tackle large items. But, in this case, fix the minor stuff. Finish painting that wall, fix the broken curtain, replace the mismatched switch plates.

2. Clean up! Yes, the dreaded five letter word, clean.  Having a clean home is imperative if you want to sell your home.  Clean up the outside, clean up the inside, clean the back yard.  It doesn't have to look like a show home but it should be presentable. No garbage, trash or useless items lying about. Pick up laundry, mow, and do the dishes.  Sounds incredibly simple, but you want to wow the buyer with your home, not your terrible housekeeping skills.

3. Get inspections.  Strange advice perhaps, but if you know something important isn't working-or that you have a major issue with something (termites) comes to mind, get an inspection.  This does two things.  It tells the buyer that you know there is a problem and you are disclosing it, being upfront always helps in building trust between buyer and seller.  You can also get your own quote to repair the item. This will ensure that when a buyer comes along, should they ask you to fix it, you already have an idea of what the cost would be, making negotiating the offer considerably easier and you have a quote of your own to compare to the potential buyers quote.  Another side effect of this, you can price your home accordingly if you do not want to fix said item.  Knowing how much the repair is, leaves you room for negotiating without having a surprise request for repair down the road.


4. Price your home right.  Sounds obvious, but it really can be tricky.  This is where your experienced agent comes in handy.  Not only does your agent have access to all the homes that have sold in your area, they have also probably seen most of them.  This is knowledge you can't get anywhere else, not even Zillow.  By having seen most of the homes, your agent can tell you what homes your home is most comparable too, they can also spot trends in local markets and neighborhoods.  Giving you insight as to the best marketing strategy and most importantly price. All of these items give the agent information about pricing your home.  When your agent suggests a price to you, listen.  They aren't giving a price for their benefit.  They want to sell your home as quick and easily as you do.  Many people overprice-EEK!  This is probably the number one issue with selling a home.  Like many things, an overpriced home sits longer and gets less money in the long run.  Many times home sellers think pricing it high and then coming down is a viable strategy.  While this tactic may work realize that statistically speaking a home will lower it's price 3 times before it sells if it is overpriced.  Buyers know this and will wait. Often times, the price an originally overpriced home sells for is much lower than the sellers initial bottom price.  Many sellers will realize their mistake much too late in the advertising game, putting their home in the "what's wrong with this home" category.  


These are just four simple things a seller can do to get the most for their home. Getting your home ready for sale, cleaning it up and pricing it right will help to ensure your home is sold for as much as it possibly can in your market.  Check with your agent to see if there are any other things that can be done to help get your home sold.


gigi