Is 2022, the year that you want to sell your house? I’ve researched some tips and tricks that will help you be successful. According to Redfin Chief Economist, Daryl Fairweather, January is the month to go ahead and list your house if you are looking to sell in 2022. Usually, the homebuying season starts in the spring but this year we can expect the season to start in January. Buyers are looking to take advantage of the lower mortgage rates. Buyers are also expecting to view move-in-ready homes and luckily, there are some simple things you can do on your own to prepare your home. There are also a few things to be done that require help from a home inspector or real estate agent. Take the selling process step by step, don’t get overwhelmed, and you are sure to be successful!
Set Your Price
Figuring out what price to set for selling your home can seem daunting but the process can be simple. One thing you can do on your own is to use online tools to get an idea of what your home is worth. You can look up other houses in your area to see what they are being listed for and especially pay attention to those that are most like your own house. It may also be helpful to hire an appraiser, who is professionally licensed to access the value of your home based on current the state of your property and overall housing market conditions.
You can also rely on your real estate agent to help you set the selling price. A real estate agent can assist you in every step of the selling process, from pricing your house to closing. Be sure to conduct proper research when choosing your real estate agent. You can look up online reviews as well as ask others you trust for referrals. There are a few things to keep in mind while looking for a real estate agent including how many clients they served in the last year and how much is their service fee.
Home Inspection
Normally, a buyer hires a home inspector but after doing some research, I’ve found it can be a good idea for sellers to also hire a home inspector. When a seller hires a home inspector, it is known as a pre-listing home inspection. Performing a home inspection helps you find possible complications that can lower your selling price and keep you from losing potential buyers. If a buyer finds essential repairs that take too long, they may back out. You can also use the home inspection to help you price your home and buyers won’t be able to lower the selling price by finding repairs that need to be made if you’ve already taken care of them.
Making Repairs and Upgrades
When you think of making home repairs, large projects that cost a lot of money may come to mind. The good news is that there are several small things that can be done that will also have a large impact. Several suggest that simply de-cluttering your home and removing personal objects can be effective and help buyers easily imagine living in the space. One easy way to de-clutter is to rent a storage unit. Not only will cleaning out your house make it easier to move later but also help you keep your home show-ready. You never know when a buyer will want to view the house. Also, make sure counters and closets are clutter-free. Buyers are looking for space!
Staging
Once you are more organized and clutter-free, it is suggested that you stage your home to maximize the space and show buyers its potential. Buying simple items such as plants or a bookshelf can be effective. If there is an unused space in your house, such as extra space under a stairway or a small bedroom, consider turning it into a home office. Many people work from home now something such as a home office can sway them when making their final decisions.
A “New” Kitchen
The kitchen can be a huge factor in a buyer’s decision. You don’t have to do a major upgrade to make necessary improvements. You can upgrade your countertops. Quartz countertops are one of the topmost valuable trends among homebuyers right now. More people are cooking at home and have taken up hobbies such as baking since the pandemic. I also found that if your budget allows, buy one new appliance. One new appliance will help the others look more expensive and this has a huge impact on buyers.
Outdoor Space
As is the case with kitchen renovations, it is not necessary to spend a lot of money to enhance your outdoor space. Keeping your hedges trimmed and the lawn mowed goes a long way. You can also add new ground covering and/or colorful plants to make your yard more appealing. Keeping your yard in tip-top shape will also assure it is presentable whenever buyers come to view the house.
Keep the Lights On
Brightening your home is another inexpensive you can do to make your house appealing to buyers. Simply painting your ceilings white and your walls a brighter color lightens up the house a great deal. You can also add mirrors, replace light bulbs, and add additional light sources. Other inexpensive ways to brighten your home are to take down the drapes, clean the windows, change the lampshades, and cut bushes that sit in front of the windows. A bright and cheery house is a sellable house!
Closing
While you are getting your home ready to sell, your real estate agent should be handling the listing. They will most likely use MLS (Mulitple Listing Service) which means your house will show up on a number of real estate websites. They are also marketing for you. You should have a buyer in no time. One trend that has popped up in the last year or so is electronic closing also called eClosing. eClosings are convenient for everyone involved because they take less time, are environmentally friendly, and assist with social distancing. Health and safety are top priorities during the pandemic and completing a closing online certainly help keep everyone happy and healthy. Once a price has been set and all inspections and appraisals are complete, you are ready to sell your house! 2022 is your year to make this step and you will be ready in no time. Congratulations!
Are you ready to sell and/or buy a new home? Contact one of our agents today!