Selling a home is one of the biggest decisions of your life. Kelley Solberg Real Estate specializes in making the listing and selling process as easy and stress-free as possible. Over the years, we have amassed endless resources, cultivated hundreds of relationships and diligently honed our selling and negotiating skills to better serve our clients.

As we move forward in the process of listing your home, know that each and every one of our resources, relationships and my team’s expertise is at your service. We have endless support and a vast network of professionals to facilitate your transaction.

We very much look forward to working with you towards a successful transaction and allowing us to be your Professional Real Estate Resource.

Understanding The Buyer

As the Seller, you can control three factors that will affect the sale of your home.

  • The Home’s Condition
  • Asking Price
  • Marketing Strategy

However, it’s important to note that there are numerous other factors that influence a buyer, and you need to understand these consumer trends when you enter the sellers’ market. The more your home matches these qualifications, the more competitive it will be in the marketplace. Your real estate agent can advise you on how to best position and market your home to overcome any perceived downsides.

Location

Unfortunately, the most influential factor in determining your home’s appeal to buyers is something you can’t control: its location. According to the National Association of Realtors®, neighborhood quality is the No. 1 reason buyers choose certain homes. The second most influential factor is commute times to work and school.

Amenities

Preferences in floor plans and amenities go in and out of fashion, and your real estate agent can inform you of the “hot ticket” items that are selling homes in your market. If your home lacks certain features, you can renovate to increase its appeal, but be forewarned: That’s not always the right move. Using market conditions and activity in your neighborhood as a gauge, your agent can help you determine whether the investment is likely to help or hinder your profit margin and time on the market.

How To Price To Sell And Still Make A Profit

The asking price you set for your home significantly affects whether you will profit in the sale, how much you will profit and how long your home will sit on the market.

Your real estate agent’s knowledge of the overall market and what’s selling – or not selling – will be invaluable in helping you determine the price. The objective is to find a price that the market will bear but won’t leave money on the table.

Here are some points to consider:

Time

Although many factors influence the outcome, perhaps time is the biggest determinant in whether or not you see a profit and how much you profit. Studies show that the longer a house stays on the market, the less likely it is to sell for the original asking price. Therefore, if your goal is to make money, think about a price that will encourage buyer activity.

Value vs. Cost

Pricing your home to sell in a timely fashion requires some objectivity. It’s important that you not confuse value with cost – in other words, how much you value your home versus what buyers are willing to pay for it. Don’t place too much emphasis on home improvements when calculating your price, because buyers may not share your taste. For instance, not everyone wants hardwood floors or granite countertops.

Keep it Simple

Because time is of the essence, make it easy for the buyers. Remain flexible on when your agent can schedule showings. Though a desirable move-in date makes for a smoother transition between homes, it could cause you to lose the sale altogether.

How Should I Prepare My Home For Sale?

“Curb appeal” is the first impression buyers get when they drive up to your home. Make sure it is love at first sight by maintaining impeccable cleanliness, inside and out. Here are some ways to maximize your home’s appeal.

Exterior

  • Keep the grass cut and remove all yard clutter.
  • Weed and apply fresh mulch to flower beds.
  • Apply fresh paint to wooden fences.
  • Tighten and clean all door handles.
  • Clean windows inside and out.
  • Powerwashhome’s exterior.
  • Ensure all gutters and downspouts are firmly attached and functioning.
  • Paint the front door.
  • Buy a new welcome mat.
  • Place potted flowers near the front door.

Interior

  • Evaluate the furniture in each room and remove anything that interrupts “the flow” or makes the room appear smaller. Strongly suggest renting a storage unit to move furniture off-site.
  • We strongly recommend hiring a staging company.
  • Clean and organize cabinets, closets and bookshelves.
  • Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
  • Shampoo carpets.
  • Remove excessive wall hangings and knick-knacks.
  • Repair all plumbing leaks, including faucets and drain traps.
  • Make minor repairs (torn screens, sticking doors, cracked caulking).
  • Clean or paint walls and ceilings.
  • Replace worn cabinet and door knobs.
  • Fix or replace discolored grout.
  • Replace broken tiles.
  • Replace worn countertops.