Let’s say you’re at the age when the kids are grown and it’s just you and the hubby living in a newly empty nest. Or, like former President Estrada, you find yourself unable to keep up with the financial responsibilities that come with owning a house, so you decide to sell it and move to a smaller and more affordable place to live. Maybe you're looking for a larger house to hold your growing family. While sentimentality may make it difficult to let go of your home, practicality has to take the lead in this issue. But the real estate market is tough, and, like you, everyone wants a bang-for-the-buck purchase. You want to get the best deal for your house, but what exactly do you do to make it “saleable” in the first place? Below are five things that you ought to remember before your house goes up for sale.
1. THE PRICE IS RIGHT
Everything depreciates over time. So if your house is a bit on the older side—let’s say around a couple of decades old--is a bit fuzzy around the edges and is in need of some refurbishing, it wouldn’t be right to quote a price comparable to how much a brand new house would cost. Find out how to price your home right, by doing your homework: ask real estate agents or developers because they know ins and outs of the industry better than you do.
2. DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER, DECLUTTER
No buyer would want to look around your home, much less purchase it, if it is filled with junk you should have thrown out ages ago. Make a list of the things you need, the things you can sell/give away, and the things which you should throw in the trash. Ridding your home of clutter will give will make it seem roomier and brighter—all the better to impress potential buyers with. Need some tips on disposing of clutter? Check out our article on de-junking your home and keeping it junk-free through preventive maintenance.
3. ASK THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR HELP
Ask the help of people in the know. Real estate agents and brokers have more experience in selling property, so it would be a good idea to ask them for advice on how to sell your home. Their advice also comes in handy when settling on a price with buyers; of course, you wouldn’t want to shortchange yourself if you believe that your home is worth what you’re asking for. Come armed with questions when you consult with real estate professionals: location, living space, the age of the house, etc.
4. GOOD AS NEW
Give your house a thorough once-over and check for leaks, blocked drains, and other things that need fixing or repairing. Make a note of these and fix them now. Anyone looking to buy a new home would not hesitate to leave once s/he sees a shabbily kept home. You may be used to seeing cracked tiles in your bathroom, but you need to show buyers that your home is in perfect shape to seal the deal.
5. CLEAN IS KEY
When a buyer comes over to see if your house is “the one,” make sure that it’s showroom-ready. Keep your place immaculate; this means that reading materials should be in shelves, pets should be kept away from the areas which are going to be visited, and nothing should fall out of cabinets when they’re opened. Make sure your windows are sparkly and the house dust free. If the tables were turned, you wouldn’t want to buy a dirty-looking house now, would you?
Keep these things in mind and put them into practice when you’re ready to sell your home. With a little effort and some basic housekeeping, your house will be in perfect shape and won’t stay on the market for very long. Good luck!
(Photo by Kevin Shorter via Flickr Creative Commons)
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