How to Sell My Home

Ready to sell your house but not sure where to start? The expertise of a Villager agent, and these important tips, can help you sell your home more quickly and at the right price.

How to Choose an Agent

When selecting a real estate agent, you'll want to choose an agent who has the knowledge, expertise, and professionalism to look out for your best interests and the customer focus to work well with you throughout the process.

Look for an agent who:

Is professional in appearance, attitude, demeanor and capability
Works for a company that has the available resources to make selling your home a priority and has a strong, local reputation for ethical performance and customer service
Is willing to provide you with a comprehensive marketing plan – in writing
Is attentive to detail, communicates regularly, and follows through on commitments
Has experience in and knowledge of your local market
Is skilled in and has a proven track record of effective negotiation
Cares about customers and has a reputation for providing committed, trustworthy service

7 Factors that Determine How Fast a House Will Sell

Timing

When your house is one the market

Location

Where your home is

Condition

How well maintained your home is

Marketing

How well your real estate company promotes the sale of your home

Financing

Will lenders provide loans to prospective buyers to purchase your home?

Competition

How does your home compare with similar homes on the market in your area?

Price

Will the price of your home attract the right buyers?

Pricing Your Home

A Villager Realty agent can provide you with a Competitive Market Analysis (CMA) of homes that have recently sold in your area and help you determine the right price for your home.

Here are some things to keep in mind:

Prospective buyers comparison shop. They'll compare your home – and its list price – to other homes like yours that are currently on the market.
When pricing your home, it's important to think like a buyer. Although you may be tempted to choose an artificially high price in hopes that someone out there may pay it, pricing your home too high will attract the wrong buyers:
- The right buyers won't look
- Those who look won't buy
The "initial surge" of market activity comes early. There's a critical time to price your home right for a fast sale.
It's important to know:
- Your Aspired price (the highest price you realistically could expect a qualified buyer to pay for your property)
- Your Acceptable price (while hoping for more, the price you'd be willing to accept)
- Your Walk Away price (the price that would cause you to walk away from the negotiating table even if it meant you couldn't sell your home)

Preparing to Show Your House

Achieving "Curb" Appeal

Prospective buyers may drive by your home before they request a showing. Make sure they'll want to see your great interior by showing them a well-kept exterior.
Keep your lawn well-trimmed and edged.
Trim shrubbery, and remove dead limbs and debris.
Plant extra flowers for color, or add some colorful potted flowers beside the front door.
Put away any lawn equipment.
Arrange outdoor items, such as firewood and outdoor furniture, neatly.
If you have a fence, repair any broken areas and stain or repaint any spots that are in poor condition.
Check, and, if needed, clean or touch up with paint any weathered surfaces such as siding, window sashes, trim and shutters.
Make sure that the entry light and doorbell work. Clean, paint or stain the front door, as needed.
Remove debris from gutters. Touch up with paint, if needed, and realign if crooked.
Check the roof for any shingles or flashing that need replacing.
Wash windows and screens, and repair any that are broken.
Wash driveways and sidewalks. Patch any holes.
Replace faded or dated style house numbers and replace them with shiny new brass ones.
If needed, repaint or replace the mailbox.

Inside Your Home

People often buy a home based on their feelings about it. If something about your home "feels wrong," buyers will look elsewhere, regardless of your location or price. To have a competitive advantage, make sure all areas of your home are in top condition before your home is on the market.
Remove items not being used, and arrange the furniture so each room appears as spacious as possible.
Regardless of the season, give your home a good "spring cleaning."
Buy higher-intensity light bulbs, and put them in every lamp in the house. They'll make rooms seem warmer and brighter.
For a low-cost way to refresh your home, add a fresh coat of paint. Off-white or beige walls will make a room look larger and lighter.
Clean windows and mirrors so they sparkle.
Check all closets to ensure your clothes are neatly arranged. Store as few items as possible on shelves or the floor.
Leave kitchen countertops as clean as possible. Make sure items in cabinets and cupboards are neatly arranged.
Clean all vents and appliances.
Go through the basement, attic and garage. Organize them as neatly as possible. (Now is a great time to have a garage/yard sale!)
If needed, launder draperies and curtains.
Shampoo carpets and wax the floors. If your carpet is worn, consider replacing it. You may not recover the costs, but your home may sell faster.
Get out your tool kit: Tighten or repair loose doorknobs, pulls on drawers and cabinets, and towel racks and loose or cracked switch plates and outlet covers. Fix doors and windows that stick or squeak and any loose stair rails and banisters. Clean and repair caulking around tubs and sinks. Fix leaky faucets and remove water stains.