Ready to sell your house?
Karen Knight, Linn County LIVING WELL Magazine
Making the decision to sell your house can be easy or complicated depending on your circumstances. Selling your home takes time, patience and preparation. I’m going to discuss preparing your home prior to listing it for sale.
We are all emotionally attached to our homes. Therefore, it can be difficult to be objective about how our house looks in comparison to other similar houses and to understand the pricing in our market area. A realtor can help you with both of those items. However, I think it would be helpful if you try and educate yourself prior to contacting a realtor. That way you will be better prepared for the reality of listing your home.
First of all, it is important to understand your competition. Here are a couple of ways you gain that knowledge:
- Review real estate websites for similar listings
- Attend open houses of similar homes
By using these tools, you will be able to see how other homes look and obtain an idea of pricing for your style of home.
When attending an open house, please make the agent aware that you are there to understand the competition, not to purchase that home. This is also a good way to meet realtors and to see them in action.
Second, start preparing your house. Try to look at your home through the eyes of a potential buyer. Start the process by standing in front of your home and assess its curb appeal and then proceed to review each room. Small details can have a big effect on how your home is perceived. Here are some general guidelines:
- Have a neat lawn and flower beds, and a clean exterior
- Remove unnecessary furniture, personal items, and clutter to make the home appear spacious
- Thoroughly clean each room, including windows
- Walls and flooring—how do they look
You only have a few minutes to make a lasting impression on buyers and you want to present your home in the most positive way possible. Remember, selling your current home is necessary to begin the journey of making new memories in a different home.
Karen Knight is a real estate agent with Coldwell Banker. Reach her at 319-360-8989 or via www.cbhrealty.com/karenknight.
