Putting real estate up for sale calls for putting your best foot forward, especially if you're trying to maximize your returns. Fortunately, there are a few things real estate sellers can do to improve the prospects of the properties they're selling.
Sell a Dream
Whether it's a vacant lot or a historic home, every property is someone's dream. Regardless of what version of that the location might represent, try to steer into the idea the place represents. If it's a country home, for example, try to play up the rural aspects of the property.
Deal with Maintenance Issues Right Away
Small amounts of simple maintenance can make a major difference in the sale price of real estate. Buyers are going to latch onto little problems as proof they deserve to get a better deal on a property. If there are dripping faucets, fork over the money to get them fixed. Repaint faded or dingy areas. Unless you're dealing with a prohibitively expensive and large issue, such as a sagging roof or a crumbling foundation, the odds are you're going to recoup what you put into fixing the place up.
Tone Down the Personal Factors
Especially when dealing with a house that you're still inhabiting, it's important to depersonalize the space. When buyers come into a place, they want to be able to imagine themselves living there. That can be inhibited by seeing what you're currently doing with the house so get personal items out of the way, if possible. Tone down extreme decor choices, too, such as bright paints and unique types of furniture.
Have Someone Available to Show the Property
One major reason a lot of folks end up hiring professionals to assist them is that it can be hard to accommodate prospective buyers. Remember that a buyer is going to schedule a trip to see some set of houses, and you want yours to be on their list and early. You'll also likely not want to spend all your time showing off a place.
Study the Market
Knowing the state of the market is important. As much as you might want to rely on the advice of an agent, you should also look at other numbers for your area. The National Association of Realtors publishes a lot of data, and you can also track data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This will give you a better idea of whether an offer is a fair one.
For more information, contact a real estate agent.