A new year means new resolutions that we have every intention of following. But by the second week of January, there’s a good chance we’ve broken some, if not all, of them.
But some resolutions are worth sticking with, especially if your a home seller in Ottawa. If you want your home sale to be a certified success in 2018, repeat after us:
1. I Will Do My Research
When you were in school, you groaned at the thought of doing your homework. In this case you’ll be glad you did it. The biggest mistake a home seller can make is NOT doing the proper research before listing their house for sale or accepting an offer.
Research before listing is crucial. You need to make sure that:
- You’re able to get financing for a new house, so you can sell the one you’re currently in, and
- You find the right agent, resources, and market information to make sure your home sells.
Lack of research into the market before you list could result in problems like improper pricing, which could cost you big bucks if it’s priced too low, or leave you sitting on the market for months if priced to high.
Research the Buyers
When it comes to accepting a home sale, you need to make sure that the buyer has proper financing in place, using the new rate rules that took effect this month.
If you take your home off the market without doing your due diligence, you could run into big problems like a sale falling through because buyers can’t actually afford your home.
You’ll then have to relist your home, and this sends a bad signal to other buyers.
They don’t think, “there must have been a problem with the buyer’s financing.” They think, “there must be something really wrong with that house; I’m going to steer clear.” Now you’ve killed any momentum your home had before taking it off the market, and you’re going to have a hard time getting buyers interested.
Our team is the king when it comes to research, and making sure you’re thoroughly informed.
2. I Will ‘Be Lean’
In Paul’s own words, you should commit to ‘being lean’ in 2018. Translation; slim down on stuff before you sell!
No buyer wants to go visit their potential dream home, and see evidence that another family lives there. You have to give the illusion that this home is a blank slate – shiny, clean, and ready for a new family to make memories.
When you first get the idea to sell, start going through your home room by room and purging your belongings. Figure out what you’d like to keep, what you could donate, and what should be tossed. Not only will this make getting ready for an open house a breeze, but it will make packing for your own move that much easier.
You don’t have to get rid or hide every part of your personality when selling – after all, this was your home for a long time! Instead, focus on decluttering, thoroughly cleaning, and creating a universal appeal.
Once you fulfill your resolution to ‘be lean’, we can move onto how to properly stage your home>
3. I Will Focus on the Small and Easy Fixes
Don’t make 2018 the year of the big renovations if you’re planning to sell. While big ticket items like your kitchen, roof, and bathrooms have to be in good shape to sell your home, spending a lot of money to improve a perfectly good kitchen or roof won’t increase your home value that much.
That’s because those are necessary features that buyers aren’t going to pay more to have. However, if the roof is a disaster or the kitchen is straight out of the 1970s, your home may not sell at all. That’s when you invest in them.
If your kitchen, bathroom, roof, and other big selling points are in good shape, turn your attention to the small and easy home renovations.
Small – but important – renovations are what get your home ready to sell without breaking the bank. For example, you may have to replace a few shingles, a broken window pane, or some cracked/split flooring. Flooring is one of the most important parts of your home, and it’s worth it to make it look as good as possible, or replace if required.
Then there are easy fixes that will take your house to the next level. A fresh coat of paint and new light fixtures are simple, affordable ways to breathe new life into your home, and buyers will definitely notice.
4. I Will Get My Home Properly Photographed
One of the details home sellers overlook the most is getting professional photos taken. Almost everyone shops around online first, which means every listing has photos. But there’s a big difference between having photos taken by a professional real estate photographer, and just having photos taken.
Photos that capture your reflection, have poor lighting, or are taken before proper staging make your home look unappealing, even if in reality it’s the best house on the block.
Every single home listed with us is professionally photographed, and it makes a huge difference. Interested buyers get to see your home from all angles with the best possible lighting, making it that much more likely for buyers to come see it in person.
5. I Will Use a Realtor
Some people think that they can go it alone on their home sale. While we like the confidence, we want you to get the best possible price within the best possible timeline. That’s why we recommend that home sellers get a realtor.
Ottawa’s market is moving swiftly, and homes aren’t staying on the market very long. But even in these market conditions, a house that isn’t properly listed could find itself stuck for weeks, or even months, on the market, with no interested parties at all.
Alternatively, you could get a multiple offer situation, which is incredibly difficult to handle if you don’t have the experience.
All of this is on top of the stress that comes with selling a home while trying to work and stay on top of your family and social life.
A realtor will take that stress away. At Paul Rushforth, you are our focus; we’ll put our team and years of experience at your service.
Keep these 2018 Resolutions, and Your House Will Sell
The first step is deciding if you want to sell. If 2018 is going to be your year to make a change, then you need to follow these resolutions. If you do, your home will sell, and you can move into your next home with confidence.
Ready to sell?
