Four Tips to Sell Your House For Top Dollar

No doubt you will agree with me when I say that all home sellers want to get the most that they can for their home. Sellers have already gone through all the emotions of buying that home initially (or building!). They not only have monetary equity in it. They have perhaps raised their families there. They have had first night homes, first steps, first home projects, and perhaps so much more. When a homeowner makes the decision to sell, they do understand that they aren’t selling those sentiments with the home. They almost have to take the emotion out the transaction. However, that doesn’t mean that they lose the value of their home and they certainly know what they want to get for it. So how can homeowners make sure that they find a buyer who is willing to pay the price they are asking?

Here are some tips to help you sell your home for top dollar:

* Create competition for the property.

Create an environment where multiple buyers are competing to buy. Stack appointments to show the house in a narrow window so that several buyers are at the property at the same time. This strategy taps into a buyer’s fear of loss, the single greatest spark to get a buyer to buy now.

* List it with the very best agent in the area.

Interview agents and choose one who has a record of selling homes for a high percentage of the listing price. You should interview at least three agents, ask for referrals and ask for proof of their ability to do what they say they can do. Get in writing what the agent will do to market the house. Be clear that if the agent doesn’t live up to his or her promises, you want the option of canceling the listing.

* Set the right scene in your house.

Make sure the house is bright, clean and open. Get the temperature right, and make sure the house smells nice. The three most important views of the house are the view from the front curb at the front of the house, the view at the front door, and the view at the front entranceway when someone first walks into the house. The combination of these three views gives the prospective buyer his or her first impression of the house. Make sure it’s a good one.

To improve the front view, use flowers with color and ensure the front porch looks tidy. The door should be either freshly painted or brand new.

The kitchen and master bedroom deserve special attention. Simple things like new hand towels in the bathroom or fresh flowers in the kitchen go a long way.

* Spend money for the upgrades that buyers want most.

Before you rush off to make repairs in the property or pay for expensive upgrades, tour five or more homes of similar value that are selling in your area. See what final touches are popular with actual buyers. For example, a Jacuzzi tub can be an important feature on homes in certain price ranges but can be a waste of money in others. The key is to ensure upgrades generate at least twice their cost in the home’s final selling price.