Top Tips for Selling Your Home | Keane Thompson

The real estate market can be a tough and confusing place, but we can make it easier with our Top Tips for Selling Your Home guide.  What’s bad for sellers can be good for buyers, and especially these days as tech savvy buyers are out in spades trying to take advantage of the buyer’s market. We have compiled 10 things you can do to help sell your home.

1. Audit your agent’s online marketing. 92% of home hunters start their search online, and they won’t come to view your home if they aren’t compelled by your online listing. In real estate terms, compelling means nice pictures. Studies have shown that listings with more than 6 pictures are twice as likely to be viewed by buyers as listings that had fewer than 6 pictures.

2. Let your neighbours choose their neighbours. If you belong to resident’s association, neighbourhood watch or online message boards, send a link to your home’s online listing to your neighbours. There is also no harm inviting your neighbours to your open house, they can bring friends, relatives or other interested parties. This creates opportunities for your neighbours to sell the neighborhood to prospective buyers, although choose them wisely.

3. Facebook your home’s listing. Facebook is top connector of people these days and if you have 200 friends and they each have 200 friends, imagine the power of that network in getting the word out about your house. Share your Estate Agent’s listing on your Social Media to increase traffic and views on your listing.

4. Leave some good stuff behind.  We have found something that really distinguishes your house from any of the other homes on the market is leaving behind some of your personal property, ideally items that are above and beyond what the average homebuyer in your home’s price range would be able to afford. That may be stainless steel kitchen appliances or a plasma screen TV, or it might even be a golf cart if your home is on a golf course!

5. Beat the competition with condition. In many markets, much of the competition is low-priced repossessions and short time-frame sales. As an individual homeowner, the way you can compete is on condition. Consider having professional cleaners in advance of listing your home, and get as many of the repairs done as you can – it’s a major selling point to be able to advertise a very low or non-existent maintenance/repair bills. Also, make sure that the little nicks and scratches, door knobs that don’t work, and wonky handles are all repaired before you start showing your home. For a list of recommended handymen, just contact us at Keane Thompson.

6. Make the exterior stand out. Make the exterior look fresh with some new paint, immaculate landscaping and even outdoor furniture to set up a Sunday brunch on the deck. Buyers often fantasise about enjoying their back garden by entertaining and spending time outside.

7. Access is essential. Be accessible, as homes that don’t get shown, don’t get sold. Don’t make it difficult for agents to get their clients into your home – if they have to make appointments way in advance, or can only show it during a very restrictive time frame, potential buyers will likely just cross your place off the list and go see the places that are easy to get into.

8. Be realistic about pricing. Today’s buyers are very educated about the comparable sales in the area, which heavily influence the fair market value of your home. And they also know that they’re in the driver’s seat. To make your home competitive, get a FREE evaluation from Keane Thompson, we will assess the local prices and recommend a competitive price that will attract buyers. The homes that look like a great deal are the ones that get the most visits from buyers and, on occasion even receive multiple offers. (Bidding wars do still exist!)

9. Be smart with your competition. Work with Keane Thompson to get educated about the price, type of sale and condition of the other homes your home is up against. Attend some open houses in your area and do a real estate reality check: know that buyers that see your home will see those homes, too – make sure the real-time comparison will come out in your home’s favor by ensuring the condition of your home is up to par.

10. De-personalise. Pretend you’re moving out. Take all the things that make your home “your” personal sanctuary (e.g., family photos, religious décor and memorabilia), pack them up and put them in storage. Buyers want to visualise your house being their house – and it’s difficult for them to do that with all your personal items marking their new territory.

Bonus Tip: Listen to your agent. Keane Thompson Property Consultants have a highly successful track record of selling homes in your area, listen to our recommendations, trust in us and follow our advice as often as you can. By doing so you will have a greater chance of selling your home.

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